In this, the summer of the sequels, it is both refreshing and reassuring to actually be able to go to your favorite multiplex and see something original: The Hulk. With so many of this season’s film crap simply being rehashes of earlier box office successes, The Hulk should surely be welcomed by moviegoers, perhaps some of whom might otherwise have passed it over for something else.

Having been a long time fan of both the comic book and seventies television series for decades, I must admit that I went into my opening day viewing of The Hulk with a bit of trepidation. I wasn’t sure exactly how director Ang Lee would handle the character. Certainly, I had enjoyed his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But the Hulk is a different property entirely, and the style Lee used for the latter film certainly would not be appropriate for the Hulk. In any case, my fears were allayed by the ti9me the film was over, although there were moments when I wasn’t quite sure if this would be the case.

The action follows one Bruce Krenzler (Eric Bana) a scientist working on a super-healing technique involving the use of nano-bots and gamma ray exposure. The extent of Bruce’s troubles seems to be his failed relationship with his lovely assistant, Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly). That is until a few bombs are dropped into his life, first of which is his exposure to a burst of gamma ray radiation, a dose that should have killed him but instead leaves him in the best physical condition he’s been in in years.

What’s more, David Banner (Nick Nolte), his birth father, recently released from prison and whom Bruce had long presumed dead, visits Bruce in his hospital bed. Long seeming to improve upon humanity by experimenting on himself, David made modifications to his own genetic makeup that were passed on to young Bruce. Soon, the effects of the gamma radiation exposure combined with David’s genetic manipulations have a terrifying effect upon Bruce: he becomes an unstoppable, rampaging Hulk whenever he is angered.

As David Banner seeks to discover a way to capture his son’s great power for himself, Betty’s father General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Sam Elliott) and Major Glen Talbot (Josh Lucas) use every weapon at their disposal to try to subdue the Hulk. His potential as a super-weapon is certainly not lost on the military-industrial complex. As the battles rage, David Banner exposes himself to a burst of gamma radiation in a quest for powers akin to Bruce’s, and the action builds to an inevitable confrontation between father and son.

Overall, I was very pleased with The Hulk. Those expecting something along the lines of Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk of the seventies won’t find that (though look for Ferrigno in a cameo as a security guard early in the film, walking out of Bruce’s lab building with none other than Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee). Instead, we get the Hulk as he was meant to be: a huge, behemoth of a monster, a fifteen-foot tall green mountain of gamma-ray enhanced muscles. As such, no human being could possibly portray the Hulk and do him justice, and because of this Lee made the right choice by using computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring the Hulk to life.

Early on in the film, one gets the impression that this may have been a mistake, because the animation is a bit cartoonish, especially in the low light scenes when we first see him. As the film progresses, however, the imagery becomes breathtaking, most notably when the Hulk is smashing tanks and helicopters. The realism is incredible, and we instantly become lost in movie magic.

Of course, Lee doesn’t solely rely on CGI to make his film unique. The innovative use of frames within frames, moving and displaying several scenes simultaneously from various angles really works to give The Hulk a genuine comic-book feel. On the downside, the director spends too much time on exposition, dwelling overly on the Hulk’s origins and the complex relationships between the major characters. When the action does get rolling, however, it’s a non-stop ride that was definitely worth the wait.

To be sure, the actors have a tough job living up to the Hulk’s intimidating screen presence. Bana was a good choice for Banner, and not just because of any similarity in names. A relative unknown, he does a great job of portraying the confused and complex Bruce Banner to the screen. Connelly almost seems an afterthought as Betty, her role here mainly a supporting one. Lucas as Talbot brings to life a single-minded character possessed by greed and ambition.

Nick Nolte’s David Banner is a real winner. He’s wild-eyed and rants constantly; Nolte was a great choice for the role of Bruce’s deranged father. Finally, Sam Elliot was a casting coup as Ross: not only is his acting flawless for the part but, as readers of the comic will know, he even looks the part with an uncanny accuracy.

So, should you see The Hulk? My recommendation is a resounding yes. This is a fun, well-made film that is both original and entertaining. And should you happen to see a dark-haired guy wearing purple pants hiding out near the theater, be careful not to make him angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.





Recommended: Yes