Film Review – Archenemy

There have been many attempts to bring The Punisher to screens of all sizes. While “Archenemy” isn’t another take on the hyperviolent character and his grim journey of revenge, screenwriter Luke Passmore and director Adam Egypt Mortimer certainly have a different approach to a Frank Castle-style tale of urban aggression and possible insanity. The production remains in a comic book mood, exploring the saga of a homeless man who believes he’s an interdimensional hero, partnering with an amateur reporter who’s pulled into this elaborate sci-fi narrative. Mortimer retains a graphic style for the feature, helping to adjust to its strange frequency, but the payoff for “Archenemy” isn’t nearly as strong as its introduction. Mortimer gets something going in early scenes, teasing a dark direction for the picture, but he doesn’t follow through, ending up with a winded, talky endeavor after a lively first half. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com