User reviews

Well I was really excited about seeing this as Punisher and Wolverine are some of my favourite characters. The whole VS thing is a fantastic idea in the world of comics and to have them turned into films is a great idea but this film just doesn't cut it. The acting is very poor and there is something about The Punisher that I really didn't like, maybe the constant talking through all of it. Even for a low budget film it wasn't very good. I help my friend out with films and I would even go as far as to say that ours are much better than this, at a cost of £10 too.

If you want to see a good Punisher/Wolverine fight I suggest reading the comic.

This short fan film has high production value for a small independent project and brings to the screen a very interesting chapter in the mythology of The Punisher saga. The inventive digital effects add to the comic book feel and give an added layer of depth to the experience. Coming from the minds (and pens) of some of the independent comic world's more inventive minds sprung from the creative well of suburban New Jersey, "Punisher: First Round" brings to life a new variation on familiar characters from the comic underworld. Convincing casting choices combined with the appropriately comic book-cheesy dialogue, backed up with some great special effects by The Warped One, present an entertaining experience that promises more to come from this talented group of film makers.

It's hard to judge independent movies like you would a regular feature film. Obviously, there are some issues with acting and effects, but I enjoyed it because it captured the essence of The Punisher. The two movie versions could not do that. The opening title with the comic book is awesome! I have to admit, with the two Christmas music choices I felt like I was watching Die-hard (same music used in the opening sequence). I liked some of the dialogue (what am I on mute?), but like it's been said on the boards, Punisher spoke too much. I met Cory at the Comic-con in Chicago and that's how I heard about this movie and of course bought it there. He has a genuine appreciation for the characters of Punisher and Wolverine and he's a comic fan like the rest of us who wants to see a good Punisher movie like all of us do. Basically, most Punisher fans should enjoy it for it's attempt to bring Punisher back to his rawness, even if it lacks in the acting and effects department. By the way, the women are hot!!!!

for a film short, I think this is fantastic. compare it to what the studio put out in 2004(The Punisher). From what I have read online, the filmmaker made it for a few thousand dollars. There budget was 10000 times what he spent. A note for the Studios the comic book is the story board that you should be following. This young filmmaker also followed the comic book line. I hate how the studio changed the kingpin character. He is a staple in a few of the marvel story lines and the studio's feel they can change anything they want. How could Stan Lee allow this. I would like to see what this young filmmaker could do with one of the marvel story lines and a budget!!!! Kudos to this up and coming Filmmaker.

Just watched the Tom Jane version last night and heard rumors of a Punisher 2. I was quite surprised by how decent the Tom Jane version was, yeah some things could have been different as we all complain about this or that, but overall pretty damn good.

While looking up Punisher 2 I came across this beauty. Seems their is a bit of people saying yeah and others saying nay, but for a picture that comes across as, more or less a fan film, this is actually well done. I think people that are arguing it's quality fail to notice a few things and try to look at it as if this was something in the movies or tries to beat out the Tom Jane version instead of a stand alone film for what it is.

It has a nice intro with the comic being used to give a nice set-up for those that have half a clue who Frank Castle is. Yes, the quality is pretty much porno-like with the acting and so on, but still it can be overlooked. One complaint is he talks to much, to which we really only hear his thoughts, very sin city like and not so bad to keep you involved with what is taking place. While the body suit he wears is another person's gripe it isn't exactly the worse in the sense of costume's in the media when you compare it to something like Daredevil's costume in the Trial of the Incredible Hulk to name at least one.

For what it is I give it thumbs up.

First Round was the best comic book movie adaptation which was produced on a shoe-string budget that I have ever seen. The characters (Wolverine,Kingpin and of course Punisher) literally jumped off a comic book page.The casting was better than any big budget film that was recently made.The actors chosen to portray these characters' performance was true to the spirit of this genre.The story was right on to the origin of Frank Castle. The special effects were incredible. Kudos to the cast and crew of First Round for making an excellent and an enjoyable movie not just a trailer. I am looking forward to the next project from this talented group of individuals.

I liked the move ,it was a little short ,but Corey Sosner played a very good punisher ,better than in my opinion ,the last guy ,Tom Jane. The character who played wolverine,Eric Von Sydow , was right on the money ,he's the one that should of been in all the x-men movies. Yea, there was a little prob with some of the voice overs not matching the mouth movements ,but that all quickly went away in the movie. You have to understand ,that this is not a big budget release ,so imagine if they had a a big budget to work with,The results would be incredible. The story line went a little too fast for me. Other than that ,the effects were pretty good ,characters were good.

Punisher: First Round is a great film, with all the action quality a hero movie must have. Really it was the first time that i see the real punisher on screen. A nice story events that leads (anti)heroes on crash course, non stopping action and villains united. This movie really rocks, Punisher on "punishment mode", blood and bullets. The characters are in good looking way. It's like a comic book screenplay. The bullets on the punisher belt are a nice added from the visual of the punisher. Also the making off, that is available, is a very cool reporting for the film. Looks like a "war journal" film-making. The dude begging for help is fun. The movie really fulfill the expectation about the punisher himself, not a drunken dude or a mental disturbed man prayer.

Excellent film!

I saw this movie this past weekend when I acquired the DVD at Wizard World Boston. If you want to see a movie that truly catches the essence of the punisher books: SEE THIS MOVIE! It has everything any one would ever want in a Punisher film. As much as I enjoyed the Thomas Jane version, I think I'd recommend this more to my friends. Fast paced action, loads of violence, gorgeous dames, and one the best match ups in comic-film history. Sosner's portrayal as Castle is dead on and totally bad-ass. The editing makes this 15 minute thrill ride loads of fun. And like most, I was so skeptical about this movie. Most fan films are shoddily done, but this is right up there with Worlds Finest or Grayson. Check it out as soon as you can.

Much as I liked the Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane versions of The Punisher, there was always something missing, from the first film there was a lack of dark humour that was always present in the comic character, from the second there was attempting to stuff too much into the film from the comic, meaning it swung from gritty to funny and back again without warning, unbalancing the film.

Corey Sosner's film First Round manages to significantly show up both films in a short 12 minutes. The necessarily swift pace and brutal action mirrors the comic, the Punisher's route up the ladder of the underworld needing little explanation or dialogue - they're bad guys, he's big and mean with a skull on his chest - nuff said.

The addition of the character of Wolverine, a long time/some time combatant and some time ally of the comic character, will appeal to the comic fans who thought Hugh Jackman a little too clean, tall and slender to be the sideburned one.

Sosner's short seems to scream 'look what I can and could do'. The use of comic frames showing the Punisher's origins over the credits and the slightly 'video game' look to some of the special effects illustrate effective innovation, but also show the possibilities and potential of Sosner as an actor and director, given sufficient funding.

I will be looking forward to second round, third round etc, lets hope that this fight goes the distance!

For the budget, I think Corey Sosner shows a great deal of untapped talent!!! From the shots, to the short script, the director made the most of what he had to work with, which amounts to a tiny budget, actors of some question, and an enormously prudent and jealous fan base who will go to any lengths to hang on to the idea that THE PUNISHER is theirs, and theirs ONLY. Imagine, a lonely teenager reading the tales in his suburban room; walls covered in images of THE PUNISHER. He hears of a films about said subject and instead of rejoicing that other way-word souls will possibly be healed by the imagery and story lines, he clings desperately to the idea that HE IS THE ONLY ONES WHO KNOWS 'THE PUNISHER.... HE AND HE ALONE ALONE WILL BE THE KEEPER OF THE GATE!!! What is the result? Anything he sees will be deemed terrible, simply for being brought into the light. Bravo Corey....Bravo! Somebody give this guy some real money so he can see his vision through....

This movie does in 13 minutes what Marvel has failed to do with their Punisher movies. The overall quality is excellent. It is amazing how close the actors look like their comic book characters. The acting is very good. All the parts work well together.

The quality of the film is several cuts above what someone would expect of a fan film. I saw this film at a gaming convention. I was not expecting much. I was blown away.

The story is a dark, entertaining, and action packed.

Corey Sosner makes a great Punisher. He looks the part and does a fantastic job capturing the gritty nature of Frank Castle.

All Punisher fans should see this film.

In Punisher: First Round, they got this guy to play Kingpin. HE IS THE KINGPIN. In the Daredevil movie, they got Michael Clarke Duncan to play Kingpin. Well, Mr Duncan is a big guy and a pretty good actor but He is no Kingpin. In Punisher:First Round they got Wallace Carter. Its as though he walked off the Comics pages. Wallace Carter's Kingpin is the best I have ever seen. If you take the comics drawing of Kingpin and compare it to Michael Clarke Duncan or Wallace Carter...Carter's got it hands down. They should have put him in the Daredevil Movie. I cant believe Stan Lee let them change the Kingpin. I believe we should rally and get Mr Carter cast in future movies as THE KINGPIN! Punisher: First Round also had good choices as far as other characters too. Corey Sosner as the Punisher and Eric Von Sydow as Wolverine, both excellent choices. Even better than the choices made to represent the characters in the BIG screen (X-Men, Punisher). It amazes me that this independent film has more in the way of characters and story line than the big budget films. What are those movie guys up there doing? All in all, First Round did an excellent job. I look forward to further installments. I would like to see these guys hit the big screen.

I really enjoyed this film. I think it does what a lot of comic book adaptations try to do but cant pull off. The Punisher is the most realist (super)hero ever, but on screen always runs the risk of being more than human. Coreys Punisher is much more grounded and real. It may be a small detail to some but he also looks the part. I think this is his (punishers) best portrayal on screen. The villains were convincing also. I like the way you can hear the Punisher thoughts almost like a narrative, this is very true to the comics. The punisher doesn't talk out loud or have lengthy dialogue with the bad guys, but you still know how he feels about the people he is after. All Punisher fans should watch this film.

I picked this up at a ComicCon in Dallas. I've never before paid for a fanfilm and until Corey does another I probably won't again.

I must admit, I initially picked this up for the screen shots of Wolverine (Eric von Sydow) I had seen. He is the epitome of the comic Logan that I've grown up wanting to see in real-life. As I watched the movie for my fourth or fith time, it hit me that Sosner IS Frank Castle. Cold, brooding, and just plain bad-ass!

Overall, this film fulfilled my comic-geekiness I get from reading comics as well as the hard-nose in-your-face action of my favorite movies. I think with a bigger budget Corey could definitely be on par if not surpass Bryan Singer in the comic-genre. Superman who?? So until Kingpin gets gastric-bypass make mine Punisher: First Round!

All the Punisher short films I have seen have been a waste of time! Some young bloke with a cheap Punisher T-Shirt he bought down Camden market, so I was not exspecting much when I heard about First Round! I WAS WRONG!!! Yes, some of the acting was not great. Yes, some of the dialogue was out of sinc! And yes, it was shot on the usual cheap digital camera!! But the film on a whole was brilliant!! Corey Sosner was perfect as the Punisher,Eric Von Sydow was perfect as Wolverine and The Kingpin was white!! The costumes are top quality, the attitudes and personalities of the characters are perfect, the script was good. What more could you want?? It proves once more that only comic book fans should direct comic book adapted movies. Hollywood and amateur alike!!!!

I had the chance to view this DVD after watching the Tom Jane version, and I can definitely say they miscast THAT movie. Big time.

Corey Sosner delivers a gritty realism to the Punisher and truly portrays the depth and breadth of a character driven by revenge and possessing the skills to execute his plans perfectly. At the same time, he brings an excellent sense of dry humor and comic timing to the Frank Castle character in his exchanges with Wolverine. The casting of the short was very well done and the dialogue between the Punisher and Wolverine was classic.

Look for more from Corey - you won't be disappointed!

When I met Corey about 1 1/2 years ago I had little knowledge of fan films or what they were about. I thought some guys got in costumes and danced around looking silly while someone video taped their charades. Well, when Corey called me about playing Kingpin I was shocked. He saw me and said "that's the freakin' Kingpin". So I traveled to New Jersey expecting the charades to start any moment. I was pleasantly surprised when he actually directed me. He brought out my inner villain just by talking to me. I found myself capable of "being" the Kingpin once he was done with me.

M.Sean McManus used his skill to artfully depict some famous "Frank Miller" imagery using lights and lines in the shots. I certainly have respect for what he did.

The rest of the cast and crew were top-notch and all deserve kudos for pulling off such a fantastic version of the Punisher. I never met Eric Von Sydow but his portrayal as Wolverine brought back memories of Wolvie's famous cigar chomping, flippant attitude from the comic books. You nailed it Eric!

Hopefully with some encouragement and some new resources Corey Sosner can bring more of the comic book genre to life.

I would love to have seen the fight with Wolverine extended it was just too brief. I would like to see what this guy could do with more money behind him. The characters were much more true to the comics than Hollywood has ever managed to get and I actually liked the rawness of this film, it helped that my two favourite comic characters were both in there. If you ever read these comments Corey then I'd like to say please use this combo of Frank/Logan again sometime and maybe have Logan react a bit faster, that could be one h**l of a scrap. I'll be watching out for 'An eye for an eye' the next film due out, the trailer looks interesting. Keep the grit.

This movie was totally awesome, I'd highly recommend it. Amazing for a fan film - a lot of fan films really fall short of the mark due to budget constraints, limited talent and whatnot. Not this one; it has has great actors, great choreography and a great plot. It has also had great reviews!

The cast was chosen well. It's great to see people not only pulling off a character but actually looking like one too! The costumes were also fantastic which usually doesn't happen in all fan films. I believe many of the actors owned their own outfits (?)

I hope these guys make another film as I'm sure it will be a hit. They put everything into it as well as a strong love for the topic and the movie industry. You can't go wrong with that.