‘The Punisher" is a fairly riveting action film about an ex-cop/FBI agent out to avenge his family’s death. It is based on the recent issues of the comic series with the same name, which were written by the quirkily brilliant, Garth Ennis. But film tones down the violence and dark, mordant humor of the comic series, which is one of the few mainstream comics aimed towards adults. The film is aimed at a wider audience and it is slightly more juvenile.

As you'd expect, the elaborate stunts and action scenes are far more convincing than the characterizations, dialog, and acting. But I actually felt like I was experiencing some of the fast car chases and car crashes, firsthand.

The movie has a bland lead performance by Thomas Jane, who at least looks right in the role. A somewhat restrained John Travolta is only okay as the Punisher’s gangster antagonist. But the supporting performances by Laura Elena Harring of "Mulholland Drive" (as the gangster’s Machiavellian wife) and Ben Foster (as the Punisher’s pierced ally) are splendid.

"The Punisher" begins with the elite police officer, Frank Castle, going on one final mission. He infiltrates the mob and stops them from introducing a new type of undetectable, odorless crack. In the confrontation, the disguised Castle fakes his own death and then he goes on vacation to a family reunion.

But Castle’s happiness is painfully brief. A notorious mob lord, who is ironically named Howard Saint (John Travolta), blames Castle for the death of his son. To get revenge, Saint sends out a squad of assassins. They take out Castle's entire family before his eyes and he narrowly escapes. From then on, his whole life is devoted to punishing the type of people that killed his family, and he begins to wear a lucky skull shirt as a uniform.

He is joined in his war by three troubled neighbors: a geeky boy whose face is filled with piercings, a rotund man who likes food too much, and a beautiful woman who is abused by men. In the comic series the female ally was a frumpy, socially inept recluse with a horrible, outdated hairstyle. Casting Rebecca Romijn-Stamos in the part was a big mistake and makes the character less unique. It’s hard to believe that a glamorous supermodel figure like her would live in low rent housing or spend all her time with the geeks. Despite my complaint, the relationship between Castle and the misfits is the most interesting part of the film and is quite touching.

A former lawyer, Jonathan Hensleigh, directed the film. His first big Hollywood project was writing the screenplay for "A Far Off Place" (1993). "The Punisher" is his directorial debut, and it isn’t bad.

The Punisher character first appeared in comics in the mid-‘70s as a Spiderman foe. Gerry Conway, the inventor of the character is listed as one of the three screenplay writers. The Punisher and Blade are in the same vein as the big screen vengeful vigilantes of the period, such as the protagonists of "Dirty Harry," "Ms. 45," "Death Wish," and "Walking Tall."

These characters were a response to the feeling that society was spinning out of control, and the law enforcement officials and politicians were unprepared or unwilling to deal with the crime problem (because they are too corrupt or concerned with the Civil Rights of criminal). The films can be seen as manifestos or rationales for a return to right wing totalitarianism or a fascist mentality.

"The Punisher" is not particularly intelligent or innovative but it is a reasonably faithful and solid adaptation of the comic book series. Fans of comics and action films should enjoy it, but it probably won’t convert any non-believers.

For more info on films based on comics see my article at http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/movies20034q/id1891.htm