Ive just been watching The Punisher on Netflix and I think that this character compares a lot with Dredd. For example:
1) He's deadpan and emotionless.
2) He wants justice.
3) He's brutal in dispatching justice.
4) He's remorseless
5) He's single minded
6) As a character he's humourless.
7) He kills without hesitating.
8) He avoids relationships
Now I found the way the current actor playing The Punisher was similar to the way that Karl Urban played Dredd, although the way they differ is that there is a slight madness to The Punisher character that is not there in Dredd.
The point I an trying to make is that when I watch a film or a box set I like to identify or relate to either the lead character or someone in the show, but I can't seem to do that with the Punisher. I loved the comic and was looking forward to the Netflix depiction, which, because of the way the Character is so one-dimensional, I am finding really boring. he's brooding, doesn't say much and doesn't let you get inside his head.
Now I really loved the Dredd film but by comparing these two characters I am worried that a Dredd series could become boring very quickly if the lead character (Dredd) follows the above 7 characteristics, without developing, growing, showing vulnerabilities or developing relationships which can be exploited.
In my opinion a character that follows the 7 characteristics mentioned cannot be loved by the public. Now a character like Dredd is not meant to be loved like a partner, friend or parent but he can be loved as a character, if you make him vulnerable and open him up. Also, I think Dredd needs more dialogue than he had in the film or has in the comic if he is to have any longevity. The Punisher has very little dialogue in the show and this is making him a very boring character.
In short, what worked in the short film and still works in the comic won't work in a TV series, if you want the general public to get on board that is.
Tarantino
