The Incredible Hulk (2008) — Ol' Greenskin Wants to Smash Puny Humans
Written: Jun 17 '08 (Updated Jun 18 '08)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Great special effects; better pacing; Norton and Tyler have great chemistry; William Hurt is brilliant
Cons: Characterization is sacrificed a bit
The Bottom Line: The Incredible Hulk puts the Green Goliath back on the map with this soft reboot to the franchise. He really wants to smash something.
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| elvisdo's Full Review: The Incredible Hulk |
Stark Industries. Bill Bixby. The theme song to the 1970s Incredible Hulk television series. Super-Soldier formula. Lou Ferrigno. A guy named Leonard. S.H.I.E.L.D. Samuel Sterns. Jack McGee. Big, purple pants. The Abomination. "Hulk Smash". The obligatory Stan Lee cameo. And, of course, the demolition of New York City. These are a few Easter Eggs that successfully pay homage to all incarnations of the Hulk, from the comic book source material to the 1970s television show to the 2003 Ang Lee film. Throw in the current direction from Marvel Studios concerning its properties, a tie-in to Robert Downey, Jr's, Iron Man movie, a new cast, better special effects, and more action, the 2008 The Incredible Hulk movie, starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and William Hurt, becomes an unsuspecting and entertaining film to watch from Marvel Studios. The key word is entertaining. This is what was missing from Ang Lee's version of the Green Goliath as that played a more cerebral game. Director Louis Leterrier wisely decided to play down the head games and concentrate more on drama and action. That's not to say that it isn't as cerebral as Ang Lee's film. The difference is how Leterrier manages to find the right balance in showcasing all the elements into one film.
Five years have passed since Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) was inflicted with his deadly Gamma curse and is forced to going into hiding. In the depths of Brazil, he desperately seeks a cure for his ailment, but not before General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt), along with with a commando led by Special Ops veteran Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) track down the fugitive. It becomes a cat and mouse game throughout the whole movie until revelations upon revelations come into the spotlight. Underneath it all is a tale of unrequited love between Banner and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Unfortunately, she is dating a psychiatrist named Leonard (A shrink named Dr. Leonard? He'll be more familiar once his Fabio-like physique and long, green flowing mane comes into play one day).
The opening sequence quickly recaps the Hulk's origin and it differs slightly from Ang Lee's version. The two films, however, take a cue from the 1978 television series. In fact, Leterrier's influence is heavily derived from Bill Bixby's portrayal of Banner as a fugitive on the move. This isn't the only nod to the television series as many element from that show are utilized: Banner's green eyes as he "hulks" up; Jack McGee, a reporter for a college newspaper; Lou Ferrigno's cameo appearance and the voice for the Hulk; the inclusion of the 1978 television theme song; the "Don't make me angry" line; and even an appearance by the late Bill Bixby. These little gems were for the fans of the television show.
Comic book fans, however, are like kids in a candy store with all the Easter eggs peppered throughout the movie as a thank you for being loyal to the genre. Aside from Dr. Leonard's appearance, we are also introduced to Dr. Samuel Sterns. Savvy and longtime readers will realize that if there is ever another Hulk movie, the next villain is already in place. The giant purple pants is definitely a priceless moment. And having the famous "Hulk Smash" uttered for the first time is cause for fanboys to applaud loudly (and they did).
A bigger universe is at work as well, as first indicated by Iron Man. The Marvel Universe is vast and rich with many, many characters and The Incredible Hulk is the next chapter to a bigger story (yes, there is a bigger story that will unfold over the course of a few years). It wouldn't be a surprise if the Human Torch or Iron Man found a place in this movie because the way Marvel is spearheading its movie projects, there is a cohesive nature to these latest movies that make complete sense. It's a natural fit that doesn't feel forced at all, and this is one of the main reasons why Marvel Comics has enticed fans since its inception into the comic book foray. The other reason is making its characters flawed and human.
Despite the fact that these characters have superhuman abilities and powers, they are still human, and I believe the Hulk is the most human one of all. He is a manifestation of our uncontrolled anger personified in a hulking green giant. There are times he is very child-like and innocent lashing out at things around him because he has no restraints; nothing is holding him back when it comes to releasing his rage, other than Banner's subdued psyche. The special effects wizards of this movie really revamped the Hulk's entire look and he looks much more believable. No longer the cartoonish, green, Shrek-like brute, this Hulk really looks like his comic book counterpart. I love the colouring of his skin, more of an olive tone rather than bright green. His height ratio to normal human beings is also perfect as it looks like he stands around 9-feet tall. But the best part is watching his facial expressions.
The Hulk's counterpart, the Abomination, really lives up to his name. Am I disappointed that he didn't see the scale-like, Gamma-infused freak? A bit, but I can understand why that direction wasn't taken. Still, his sheer size dwarfs the Hulk that one has to wonder in ol' Greenskin even has a chance considering that the Abomination is stronger. Let me correct that: the Abomination is stronger right out of the starting block, but that's his peak state. The Hulk, one the other hand, starts off weaker, but eventually gets stronger. After all, "the madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets".
Edward Norton brings a crediblity to Bruce Banner that was missing in the first film: he looks like a nerd. He's a bit scrawny and not terribly handsome in that poster boy sort-of-effect. But he is believable as a fugitive on the run who is vulnerable to his own emotions. More importantly, he captures the essence of the character, a man haunted by his own terrible mistake. In an uncredited role, Norton rewrote the original script by screenwriter Zak Penn. I don't know if it was much of an improvement but it is definitely predictable in many places. Liv Tyler as Betty Ross brings a passion that missing by Jennifer Connolly, and it's hard for me to state even that since I prefer Connolly in this role. While there is chemistry between Norton and Tyler, I also think a lot of character development was sacrificed for the sake of pacing.
But William Hurt as General Ross really steals the show. His determined, one-tracked mind showcases a bitter man who believes that capturing Banner will atone for the mistakes he has made. He has sacrificed a lot, even the relationship with his own daughter, for the sake of his career. Like minds stick together, as seen when Tim Roth joins the good general's group of commandos. Roth's take on Blonsky is a man driven to find immortality. His body is eventually going to fail, even with Super-Soldier serum that he ingested, and he sees the Hulk's power as the next evolutionary step.
And this where the crux of the movie reveals itself to the audience. The Hulk was accidentally created when Banner was experimenting on the effects in radiation-resistance. Unbeknownst to Banner, he was being manipulated by the military during his initial experiments. Instead, he was used to re-create the original super-Soldier program from World War II, but as we all know the experiment went awry, or, perhaps, in the general's mind, it was perfected. That's why he needs to capture Banner so he can extract what is in his body to create his army of super soldiers. Fans of the comic book know exactly where this is supposed to be leading to as it sets it up for the return of the Star-Spangled Avenger. Incidentally, he was supposed to have a cameo appearance, but was left on the cutting room floor at the last minute.
The Incredible Hulk is not a perfect movie and it lacks a couple of things that Iron Man possesses: charm and wit. Norton is an equally capable actor as Downey, Jr. but doesn't really get to explore Banner's personality any more than what is presented. Characterization is sacrificed a bit to present a lighter and quicker film. It actually does work on that level, from the opening sequence borrowed from The Bourne Ultimatum to the final throwdown that is reminiscent of Superman's battle with the three Phantom Zone criminals from Superman II. It's hard to find a balance with the Hulk. Without his human counterpart, he is just another Godzilla in the making.
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Other Comic Book Movies
DC Comics
Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) || Batman (1943) || Batman: The Movie (1966) || Batman (1989) || Batman Returns || Batman Forever || Batman & Robin || Batman Begins || Batman: Mask of the Phantasm || Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero || Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman || The Batman Superman Movie || Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker || Catwoman || Constantine || Steel (1997) || Superman: The Movie || Superman II || Superman II: The Donner Cut || Superman III || Superman IV: The Quest for Peace || Superman Returns || Superman: Brainiac Attacks || Superman: Doomsday
Marvel Comics
Daredevil || Doctor Strange (2007) || Fantastic Four (2005) || Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer || Ghost Rider (2007) || Hulk (2003) || The Invincible Iron Man (2007) || Iron Man (2008) || The Punisher (2004) || Spider-Man || Spider-Man 2 || Spider-Man 3 || Ultimate Avengers: The Movie || Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther || X-Men || X2: X-Men United || X-Men: The Last Stand
Independent Comic Books
The Mask of Zorro || Men in Black || Popeye || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze || TMNT || Transformers: The Movie (1986) || Transformers (2007)
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And the 2008 Funny Pages Write-Off still continues with this review. It's going to be a great summer.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Action Movie
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elvisdo
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Member: Charles "The Grim One"
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Thank you to everybody who participated in both my write-offs. Until the next one!
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