I wasn't expecting much when I turned this on. After the magnificent show of the Avengers, it's hard to elaborate on the fringes of the Marvel Universe. However, this movie goes to show that even the fringes can be as exciting as the main course.
Focusing on the Black Widow and Punisher, this movie was clearly made by a Japanese anime fan for all the anime fans out there. And it doesn't get too aloof with the fact that it is quite anime. I am not a purist, but this was an exciting romp with a little twist of Japanese. Kind of like a light beer with a wedge of lemon.
You get a decent enough storyline, punctuated with fast fight scenes and the Black Widow twisting herself into impossible routines, for your pleasure. The fight scenes are pretty much the highlight of the movie, with the story taking a bit of a back seat, so don't expect award winning script writing.
You will find the dialog a bit cheesy, but we are dealing with a comic book story line. I feel it doesn't detract too much from what the movie is intended to be, purely a popcorn munching, time passing movie. I would probably watch it again in a few years, just to refresh myself.
Graphics are standard Japanese anime, with Black Widow looking thoroughly like what a animator would have imagined her to look, svelte with flowing hair. Punisher gets beefed up and looks precisely like the comics.
Voice acting in my opinion was spectacular. I enjoyed Jennifer Carpenter doing Black Widow - barely recognized her from her Dexter days, but it's definitely her. Brian Bloom gives a great performance as a gruff talking Frank Castle, reminds me of some of his work on A-Team in 2010.
My advice is to watch this with an open, clear mind. Don't expect to see world class action scenes, with Joss Whedon witty banter. It's a Japanese anime mixed into the Marvel Universe and it gets a fair storyline through.
At the end, it's a 5 dollar thrill ride on a roller coaster at a local fairground. Gets the job done, for a good price.
I give this 10/10 for exceeding my expectations and having a solid casting and believable storyline.
Kudos to the filmmakers.
Focusing on the Black Widow and Punisher, this movie was clearly made by a Japanese anime fan for all the anime fans out there. And it doesn't get too aloof with the fact that it is quite anime. I am not a purist, but this was an exciting romp with a little twist of Japanese. Kind of like a light beer with a wedge of lemon.
You get a decent enough storyline, punctuated with fast fight scenes and the Black Widow twisting herself into impossible routines, for your pleasure. The fight scenes are pretty much the highlight of the movie, with the story taking a bit of a back seat, so don't expect award winning script writing.
You will find the dialog a bit cheesy, but we are dealing with a comic book story line. I feel it doesn't detract too much from what the movie is intended to be, purely a popcorn munching, time passing movie. I would probably watch it again in a few years, just to refresh myself.
Graphics are standard Japanese anime, with Black Widow looking thoroughly like what a animator would have imagined her to look, svelte with flowing hair. Punisher gets beefed up and looks precisely like the comics.
Voice acting in my opinion was spectacular. I enjoyed Jennifer Carpenter doing Black Widow - barely recognized her from her Dexter days, but it's definitely her. Brian Bloom gives a great performance as a gruff talking Frank Castle, reminds me of some of his work on A-Team in 2010.
My advice is to watch this with an open, clear mind. Don't expect to see world class action scenes, with Joss Whedon witty banter. It's a Japanese anime mixed into the Marvel Universe and it gets a fair storyline through.
At the end, it's a 5 dollar thrill ride on a roller coaster at a local fairground. Gets the job done, for a good price.
I give this 10/10 for exceeding my expectations and having a solid casting and believable storyline.
Kudos to the filmmakers.