Marvel's The Punisher

From the very first encounter with the character of the Punisher in Daredevil, I thought how awesome a standalone series about him could be. It took almost two years, but the wait is finally over. Jon Bernthal delivers the best performance of his career, and I don’t think he can top it. His cold demeanor, raspy voice, and incredibly controlled expressions confirm this. He managed to immerse himself in his role and give it his all (it's interesting that in reality, Bernthal is likable, funny, and approachable, which is the exact opposite of his character in the series, showcasing his true acting prowess). Now, about the series itself. The opening theme stuck with me, and I enjoyed all the performances. The action is executed brilliantly, just like in a high-quality film. I wondered how the creators would handle the action and brutality, and believe me, there's plenty of it. I might have toned down Frank's invincibility a bit, but then you remember it's Frank Castle, so who am I to argue? The Punisher character fulfilled its potential, and his struggle with inner demons is detailed to the smallest aspect. The fights are among the best seen recently. We'll see how the second season turns out, which is already a given (I’m excited for Ben Barnes, not Billy Russo now, but Jigsaw, like a kid). I give it 92%. (27.11.2017)

Jon Bernthal’s return to his role was excellently executed; I was quite surprised that after a little over a year, we already got a second season, which the creators managed to produce carefully without rushing at the expense of quality to release it as soon as possible. I appreciate that. I’m pleased with Jigsaw; Ben Barnes portrayed the character extremely convincingly, even though I know it differs slightly from the comics. The character of Father John was perfect, and he got plenty of screen time, which I initially didn’t quite understand, but after a few episodes, I realized that his "hero" boasts a very interesting origin, and his storyline ultimately captivated me the most. The return of other familiar characters was also gratifying. The story itself didn’t offer many moments I could criticize. The action remains classically brutal and bloody for The Punisher, with the bathroom and gym fight scenes being the best choreographed. The final episode was intensely climactic; I could hardly keep up with what was happening on screen. It would be very disappointing if Netflix decided to cancel The Punisher along with Daredevil. That would be a shame because the potential hasn’t been exhausted under any circumstances. The second season earns an 88%. (07.02.2019)