Frank Castle (Tom Jane) is an ex marine currently working as an undercover FBI agent, using to alias 'Otto Creed'. In his last case before his retirement to take a desk job in London, he is close to the end of a fake arms deal.

On the night, it doesn't go exactly to plan when Mickey Duka (Eddie Jemison) brings along his friend Bobby Saint (James Carpinello) who is funding the majority of the deal.

Like I say, it all goes wrong as after the exchange, the FBI rush in to make arrests and Bobby Saint is killed.

Bobby Saint is the son of the brutal Howard Saint (John Travolta) - possibly the only thing even more sadistic than Howard Saint, is his wife Livia (Laura Harring).

When the news is delivered to the Saint's of their sons death, vengence is saught, and Livia Saint orders the death of Castle's whole family.

Howard Saint's right hand man, Quentin Glass (Will Patton) takes a crew to the Island where Castle's family are having a reunion before his departure for London, killing everyone - and leaving Frank for dead.

The one mistake the learn they have made, is that did not make sure they finished the job with Frank Castle and he heads towards a recovery and to bring down the Saint empire - giving birth to 'The Punisher'.

The first time I watched this film it was leant to me by a friend who gave me one word of warning "do not watch this film when you are tired and wanting something to fall asleep to".

Well, after a long day in the kitchen and a couple of beers after work, I went up to my flat above the pub, tired and pretty much ready for bed, but I needed something on in the background - I know, I'll watch The Punisher.

5 minutes after getting into bed, I was perched on the edge of my bed waiting for what happens next - and not only that, as soon as the film had finished I was searching through my playstation games trying to find anything where I can shoot and blow things up!

Not only is it the action and (sometimes corny) one liners that make me want to watch this film all the time, it also the fact that it is one of those action films that don't actually come across as too unbelievable.

The Punisher does not walk into a room of 50 people all firing conviently around him - he finds ways to take out the majority of the people without being near them and then goes in to finish the job.

Those that have read the comics will notice there are a few differences. If you hadn't and are now curious - these are:

1) In the comics, Frank Castle has a daughter, in this film he has a son
2) In the comics, it is only his wife and daughter that are killed by the mafia supposed to his whole family, and rather than it a revenge killing it is when the accidently come across a gangland style murder in the woods
3) In the comics, The Punisher prefers 'mercy' bullets which do not kill - in the film he has no such care and seems to enjoy killing

If you have not seen this film yet, it is definately one to go out and buy - especially with the great news that The Punisher: War Zone is due to hit UK cinemas in early February this year.

I have read a couple of reviews from America and the general comment is - it doesn't suck! I haven't read too much though as they tend to like giving the whole film away!

The basic idea I have got from what I have read though is that The Punisher comes across a new enemy, named 'Jigsaw' - again, lovers of the comics will know him from here.

I have read in a couple of places that Jigsaw is actually one of Howard Saint's old 'henchmen' who The Punisher disfigured bit did not kill.

A possible draw back though is that Tom Jane is not in the 'sequel' but I have been assured that the new Punisher is just as good, if not better.

Rumours from the set have led to reports that Tom Jane decided to walk out on The Punshier 2 early on as he had difference of opinions from the director and writers on where they were taking The Punisher and believed it was too far away from the comics.

There is part of me that hopes this is slightly true as The Punisher is a man who has nithing to live for, and a slightly darker side to him would be excellent.

But getting back to this film, as I say definately one to go and buy as it has good action and also, is quite funny in places - my favourite 'comedy' moment from the film is when The Punisher 'tortures' Mickey for information - it is definately work a look!