Five years ago I crammed into a theater in Plymouth Meeting, PA to see Hulk. I’d grown up seeing the 80s cartoon and even though Hulk had never been my top favorite superhero, I couldn’t wait to see the the green guy on the silver screen. I’d been teased with trailers and glimpses of this movie for almost a full year, and so anticipation ran high as I submerged myself into the dark pool of the theater.
Then came reality in its worst, CGI-laden and over-bearing fashion. Hulk sucked. It had a decent appearance of a good story, decent actors, and all kind sof spectacular action. But it just didn’t click. It was like trying to listen to your favorite CD in the car and the player keeps skipping. You like what you’re hearing, but the distraction makes the listening experience pointless and painful.
I left the theatre feeling like a little boy who’d just been told Santa Claus isn’t real. Yeah, Hulk smashed and Hulk got angry, but none of that mattered.I dind’t care. And judging by the people strolling out of the theater—everyone avoiding eye contact as though we’d just participated in some unseemly activity—no one else did, either.
Flash forward five years later. Another blockbuster summer. Another Hulk movie. This one finally entitled as it should be, using the adjective “Incredible.” And it’s result?
Absolutely awesome.
This is the Hulk movie I’ve been waiting to see. It took years, one misfure and a heart break of disappointment. But it was worth it. This time, everything clicked. The music, the actors, the story, the action, everything.
Edward Norton - I know I’m late on the fan train on this one, but The Incredible Hulk has made me a Norton fan. He was Bruce Banner. He portrayed the loneliness, the turmoil, and the desperation of a man who is ultimately powerless even though he possesses great power. He can’t control it, he doesn’t want it, and it may end up costing him his life and the lives of those close to him. Hulk is more than just some big green guy that can level a building. He’s the id, that unstoppable force of rage that everyone has and not everyone controls. He’s the 21st century Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. How often do you hear about some office worker going crazy and taking a shotgun to work with him on a fine, sunny day in some small Midwesternt town? There is plenty of anger out there. So much that it makes everyone a part of the movie’s demographic. Who doesn’t feel anger churn away inside of them for slights decades old, or conflicts unsettled from the past and present, every day at soemtimes unpredictable moments? Everyone has their own little suitcase nuke wrapped isnide their beating heart.
Liv Tyler - Cute as always, but I’ve never been able to get past the lips. The Steven Tyler lips. I know, I’m particular, and they’re not as bad as Angelina Jolie’s.
The story - Love the script, love the timing, the fugitive narrative. It reminded me of The Bourne Identity somewhat, but then the original Hulk TV was based on Banner’s search for an antidote while he wandered the planet. It all flowed together nicely until the last act, which got a little messy in the wake of the action sequences.
The action - For a story about a guy with super strength where can you go wrong in the special effects department? That’s the great thing about all these comic book movies coming out these days. The opportunity to show things that have never been seen before has never been better.
Highlights - Even for a simple chase story, The Incredible Hulk had some really cool moments. Like:
-When Banner falls from the helicopter expecting to turn into the Hulk and then his eyes remain blue instead of going green. I didn’t quite like how this was done since it felt a disingenious to the character. Banner is brave, he’s smart, but he’s not suicidal. He wouldn’t have jumped out of a helicopter just to make for a dramatic landing unless he asbsolute had to. I know this was done to increase the tension in the film, but it did clip a few strings supporting my suspension of disbelief.
-Banner and Ross stop short of getting it on in the hotel room. I liked this. Banner’s this close to nailing her when his heart rate monitor starts beeping. He can’t go beyond a certain point before he chances turning into the Hulk, so makes an aprupt stop before going all the way. Good thing, too, because that makes for a PG-13 vs R-rated film.
-Tony Stark makes an appearance. Based on the conversation bentween Stark and Gen Ross, it seems this happens well after Stark has become Iron Man and after the events of the Iron Man film. Props to Marvel for coordinating this, which is actually far more complicated and precarious than it seems from a distance. It’s hard enough to make a single film coherent, much less blending multiple characters, story lines and plots.
-The Lou Ferigno cameo. I love this guy. And he hasn’t lost much of his bulk despite getting older.
Go see The Incredible Hulk.
-
