Disney+ Review – The Punisher: A Final Mission

      Ricky Church reviews Marvel Studios' The Punisher: One Last Kill…

      Welcome back, Frank. Marvel Studios’ newest special presentation takes us back into the gritty and traumatic life of Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the action-fueled and character-driven The Punisher: One Last Kill. With Jon Bernthal reprising his beloved role, the special effectively highlights the anti-hero as he battles through severe PTSD and depression while searching for new purpose in his life.

      In a rapid series of events, Frank has finally eliminated the last remaining members of a crime family responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, which set him on the path to becoming The Punisher. As he attempts to adapt to a non-violent existence, haunted by memories and visions of his loved ones, he sinks deeper into despair, aimlessly wandering through life. It is only when the final surviving member of the crime family claims to have put a bounty on Frank's head, drawing numerous hunters to his apartment complex and endangering everyone, that he is compelled to once again take up the skull and become The Punisher.

      The narrative is fairly straightforward, as we have watched Frank oscillate between his desire to embrace his role as The Punisher and his attempts to abandon it throughout the earlier Netflix Punisher series and Daredevil: Born Again. The precise timing of this particular story complicates the timeline slightly; it could be set before the first season of Born Again, where Frank has a prominent beard, or after when he is clean-shaven and recommitted to his mission (I prefer to think it takes place before unless Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green state otherwise). While there have been hits and bounties on Frank before, this one feels more personal and threatening due to the number of innocent bystanders deliberately placed in danger.

      Despite the timeline confusion and simplistic story, the special shines as Bernthal delivers a powerful performance that illustrates Frank’s crippling mental state. Between the hallucinations of his family and former colleagues, with Jason R. Moore and Kelli Barrett reprising their roles as Curtis Hoyle and Maria Castle, Bernthal convincingly portrays how Frank’s overwhelming PTSD consumes him after seemingly avenging his family's deaths. He reminds us of the tragic nature of Frank's character and the immense suffering he has endured before re-entering the violent fray.

      And what a fray it is, as the latter half of the episode incorporates elements reminiscent of Assault on Precinct 13, The Raid, and Dredd, with Ma Gnucci, the matriarch and last surviving member of the Gnucci crime family, transforming Frank's apartment complex into a battlefield as young gangsters wreak havoc as they attempt to kill him. Judith Light portrays Ma as a memorable character within her limited screen time, creating an intriguing contrast to Frank as two vengeful survivors seeking retribution for their loved ones by any means – though Ma’s perspective is distinctly different, portraying her sons as an honest cop and someone who values consent, while endangering the entire complex's families.

      The action is, no pun intended, skillfully executed as the cinematography, choreography, and stunts are top-notch, providing the audience with a clear sense of movement among the fighters with minimal cuts as Frank navigates through rooms, balconies, and rooftops. The action emphasizes Frank's brutal nature and tactical mindset through subtle details, such as his habit of checking the clip of a weapon taken from a fallen enemy and dispatching multiple foes with limited resources. Notably, during the intense battle, he makes a concerted effort to save residents being attacked or threatened by the gangsters, reinforcing that, despite his bloodlust and fury, it is not solely about eliminating bad guys for him. This character trait opens up potential for future stories as Frank allows Ma to escape in order to save the family of a local coffee shop and bakery.

      The Punisher: One Last Kill, co-written by Bernthal and Green, effectively shines a light on one of the MCU's most compelling and tragic characters, demonstrating how well they, particularly Bernthal, grasp the character beyond his violent allure. While the plot may be thin and the trope of Frank wanting to retire a bit worn, the writing from Bernthal and Green compensates for it, and Green's direction ensures the spectacle is exciting, tense, visually appealing, and will delight Punisher fans, especially if this special and Bernthal's upcoming role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day indicate more high-quality Punisher content is on the horizon.

      Rating: 7/10

      Ricky Church