'The Punisher: One Last Kill' Review: Ferocious Street Level Marvel
The beloved anti-hero Frank Castle returns to the MCU in The Punisher: one Last Kill, a special presentation event that continues to prove why street level Marvel is the most compelling corner of this extended universe.
In ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’, audiences catch up with Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) who is searching for meaning in his life after finally completing his quest for vengeance against everyone responsible for the gruesome murders of his entire family. However, his peace comes to an end briskly as a criminal empire pulls him back into the darkness of violence and rage. Not only does Bernthal reprise his role as Castle, but he also co-wrote the project alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green, the two having previously collaborated on the critical darling ‘King Richard’.
What makes this Marvel special presentation rise above most comic book fare is its exploration of Frank’s character, especially as he is struggling to find purpose after his nearly ceaseless cycle of violence and bloodshed has seemingly come to an end. He’s frightened, aimless, restless and psychologically disturbed now that he’s spending so much time in solitude alone with his thoughts and hallucinations of those he holds most dear, whether it be his family members or fellow soldiers he previously served with. Bernthal’s performance as this beloved character remains electric and deeply compelling, showcasing Frank’s anguish and tormented soul with nuance, power and palpable gravitas. At this stage, his performance and commitment to this character is so rock solid and fine tuned that it is difficult to tell where Bernthal ends and Frank begins. Simply put, Frank has never been more emotionally compelling as a character.
It’s clear from the outset that Bernthal and Green had no intent to craft a story with all rage and no heart. Their screenplay and collaboration ensures that audiences will be emotionally invested in Frank before any bullets fly or blood is spilled. The sound design does a wonderful job complimenting this approach, not only showcasing Frank’s fractured psyche, but demonstrates how his past trauma has made him numb to the violent world around him, especially in this neighborhood where crime runs rampant and unbridled. As a result, this presentation is far more of a character study than it is a brutal action film and it’s all the better for it.
However, fans can rest assured that there is more than enough adrenaline-fueled carnage to satiate them once the powder-keg explodes. Once Frank is pulled back into violence and must fight for his life against an impressive onslaught of criminals and offenders, Green’s direction and Bernthal’s physicality truly shine as they’re able to stage and deliver some incredible action set pieces that are not only incredibly entertaining, but some of the most violent and visceral Marvel has showcased to date. The choreography is fantastic, the ferocity feels earned and the kills certainly don’t disappoint once Frank shakes off the rust and finds his singular rhythm again. Once the action begins, it’s relentless, well-paced and effectively immersive, rarely allowing the audience to breathe as each new opponent Frank encounters causes him to get more creative. Thankfully, very little CGI is apparent on screen, allowing the practical stunts to shine and the action to feel tactile and grounded.
In terms of hindrances, there aren’t many to spot here. While certain facets of the story, including the emergence of a new enemy named Ma Gnucci played superbly by Judith Light in her limited screen time, could’ve been more fleshed out say in a full film or season of television, the special does an admirable job setting up the central conflict between her and Frank. In addition, the final act of this presentation feels a little truncated, leaving things feeling a little bit unresolved. While it’s clear where Frank’s journey will take him next, the resolution to the story here could’ve benefited from tying up loose ends instead of leaving them dangling where they could remain frustratingly unresolved, an issue that has plagued Marvel with its many post credit scenes and character reveals.
‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ continues to demonstrate why Bernthal was such inspired casting to take on the mantle of Frank Castle. His performance remains top tier and the character has never felt more human than he does here. Not only does this special presentation deliver the blood-soaked entertainment value fans have come to know and expect from the character, but makes his journey forward all the more exciting with boundless potential. As long as this anti-hero remains in Bernthal’s hands, the future remains bright for The Punisher.