Angryman: The Movie.
Written: Jun 22 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Angry action all the way.
Cons: Slow start.
The Bottom Line: It's the movie Hulk fans have been dreaming of for years.
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| joecooper's Full Review: The Hulk |
Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and now Angryman. Finally, the Hulk makes his massive green presence felt on the big screen.
It may start slowly, but wow! - when the action starts in The Hulk, it doesnt stop. The lime goliath goes ballistic in spectacular fashion against everything from giant mutant dogs to everything the military can throw at him. Making its competitors look tame, Ang Lees latest offering is arguably the best superhero film to date.
Bruce Banner (Eric Bana), a quietly spoken scientist, was born with altered DNA, thanks to his fathers dabbling with nuclear biotechnology. For thirty years the modifications have remained dormant, but when Bruce is bombarded by gamma rays in a lab accident, his genetic differences leap to life with devastating effect.
When the newly radiated Bruce gets angry, he gets really angry. Along with the usual jaw clenching and brow furrowing, comes shoe popping, shirt splitting, and exploding into a fifteen foot tall, thickly muscled, raging Hulk. Charged with monumental strength and other phenomenal powers, the almost indestructible monstrosity possesses a mind of his own and an unrelenting drive to punish those that irk him.
Its not long before the Hulks abilities are noticed by a secret government agency with the disturbing aim of producing genetically altered super-soldiers. Needless to say, the offer to become a guinea pig in an unethical experiment upsets Bruce, and soon the Hulk isnt happy with the idea either. What follows is a clash that shakes the world, and a desperate race by the former scientist to control his emotions and come to terms with his dark past.
Of course, the star of the show is the CGI-animated Hulk himself, who takes a large leap ahead of such computerized cousins as Lord of the Rings Gollum and Harry Potters Dobby. At times, it actually takes effort to acknowledge that the raging brute laying into tanks and gunship helicopters wasnt actually filmed.
The Hulks interaction with his human co-stars is also impressive. One particular scene, where Bruces father (played by Nick Nolte) strokes a broad green cheek and looks the looming creature in the eyes, is quite eerie.
Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down) is admirable as the Hulks human half. Rather than overstretching in a misplaced bid for Oscar glory, the Australian actor appears content to quietly play the part of an unassuming laboratory boffin. The restraint is appreciated and allows the film to flow nicely. Unfortunately, the same cant be said of the entire cast.
Jennifer Connelly, who plays Banners love interest, Betty Ross, has essentially transplanted her melodramatic role from the pensive drama A Beautiful Mind (2001). Yes, it could be argued that Bruce Banners plight is slightly similar to schizophrenic mathematician John Nashs, but The Hulks comic book atmosphere demands a very different approach from Connelly. Over all, she becomes an unwanted emotional distraction.
A review of the Hulk wouldnt be complete without mentioning Nick Nolte (The Thin Red Line). As father-of-the-Hulk, the 62 year old actor (who was People Magazines choice for Sexiest Man Alive back in 1992) appears in a similar state to the one he was found in last year after dosing himself up with the date rape drug GHB and sliding behind the wheel for a Sunday drive. Wild and haggard looking, Nolte dishes out a lot of gibberish, but is ultimately entertaining as a creepy, close-talking mad scientist.
Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), who turned down the job of directing Terminator 3 in order to steer The Hulk, displays an enormous respect for the not-so-jolly green giants comic book heritage. For instance, the pace of the films beginning has been somewhat sacrificed in order to explain Banners extensive background. Marvel Comics aficionados are appeased and everyone else is brought up to speed by the time the action explodes. As for that action and the Oscar-winning filmmakers approach to it
It speaks for itself. Its dynamite stuff.
The Hulks grand-scale escapist fun makes it the leading blockbuster of 2003, so far. When in full swing, its a furious roller-coaster ride like no other, and a refreshing change from the usual superhero fare. Even Jennifer Connellys performance cant stop the big green bloke rampaging his way to four stars (out of five).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: joecooper
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Reviews written: 120
Trusted by: 57 members
About Me: Aging whippersnapper and freelance journo.
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