The Incredible Hulk
Forget Ang Lee’s 2003 film version of Hulk. Five years on, Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk is a complete reboot of the movie series that centres on one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes.
Ignoring events from Hulk, The Incredible Hulk kicks off several years after scientist Bruce Banner first fled from the US military, and began his desperate quest to rid himself of his monstrous alter ego.
It’s in these early scenes that Edward Norton (replacing Hulk’s Eric Bana) really shines as the long suffering, physically unassuming Banner. This time the audience receives a strong impression of what it’s like to live with a vicious beast in your blood and bones. Norton’s Banner exists in a permanent state of anxiety about his body, closely monitoring his heart rate, shying from meaningful human contact and avoiding conflict at all costs, even if it offends his moral code.
Viewers are encouraged to truly feel for Banner, especially post-transformation where he typically is reduced to begging in rags, and fighting horrific flashbacks. It’s important to note that Banner is the only character who views his ability as a curse, while others, including General Ross (William Hurt), military veteran Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), and even Banner’s scientist colleague Dr Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), are blinded by their selfish desire for the unstoppable power the Hulk possesses.
While Banner is a likeable, tormented figure, the Hulk isn’t romanticised as all, except for a couple of tender King Kong-like moments with love interest Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). At least until the film’s final act the Hulk is indiscriminatingly brutal. Parents of very young children may want to bear these sequences – and a brief borderline sex scene – in mind before heading to the cinema.
It’s clear from the outset of The Incredible Hulk that the film doesn’t have the epic aspirations or arty styling of Ang Lee’s Hulk. The film is designed to be a conventional crowd pleaser and at that it succeeds. The visual effects work is solid, and the action sequences – especially an extended college campus battle – are genuinely thrilling.
Marvel comics fans should be very happy with The Incredible Hulk, which offers cameo appearances by other Marvel heroes, references to Captain America’s Super-Soldier serum, hints at a future Hulk villain, and a greater exploration of the Hulk’s abilities.
This said, The Incredible Hulk is far from flawless, with some logic problems and a distinct lack of humour. However, although the film isn’t at the level of Iron Man, it’s still a strong Marvel comic adaptation, way better than the likes of Ghost Rider and Elektra – and way better than its own trailer suggested it would be.
Ignoring events from Hulk, The Incredible Hulk kicks off several years after scientist Bruce Banner first fled from the US military, and began his desperate quest to rid himself of his monstrous alter ego.
It’s in these early scenes that Edward Norton (replacing Hulk’s Eric Bana) really shines as the long suffering, physically unassuming Banner. This time the audience receives a strong impression of what it’s like to live with a vicious beast in your blood and bones. Norton’s Banner exists in a permanent state of anxiety about his body, closely monitoring his heart rate, shying from meaningful human contact and avoiding conflict at all costs, even if it offends his moral code.
Viewers are encouraged to truly feel for Banner, especially post-transformation where he typically is reduced to begging in rags, and fighting horrific flashbacks. It’s important to note that Banner is the only character who views his ability as a curse, while others, including General Ross (William Hurt), military veteran Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), and even Banner’s scientist colleague Dr Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), are blinded by their selfish desire for the unstoppable power the Hulk possesses.
While Banner is a likeable, tormented figure, the Hulk isn’t romanticised as all, except for a couple of tender King Kong-like moments with love interest Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). At least until the film’s final act the Hulk is indiscriminatingly brutal. Parents of very young children may want to bear these sequences – and a brief borderline sex scene – in mind before heading to the cinema.
It’s clear from the outset of The Incredible Hulk that the film doesn’t have the epic aspirations or arty styling of Ang Lee’s Hulk. The film is designed to be a conventional crowd pleaser and at that it succeeds. The visual effects work is solid, and the action sequences – especially an extended college campus battle – are genuinely thrilling.
Marvel comics fans should be very happy with The Incredible Hulk, which offers cameo appearances by other Marvel heroes, references to Captain America’s Super-Soldier serum, hints at a future Hulk villain, and a greater exploration of the Hulk’s abilities.
This said, The Incredible Hulk is far from flawless, with some logic problems and a distinct lack of humour. However, although the film isn’t at the level of Iron Man, it’s still a strong Marvel comic adaptation, way better than the likes of Ghost Rider and Elektra – and way better than its own trailer suggested it would be.
Comments
I particularly loved Tony Starks appearance at the end of the film as well as the birth of "The Leader".
The fight scene at the end of the film also totally rocked.
I've heard that all these allusions are supposed to be pointing toward an Avengers movie in the future.
And yes, Mjenks, I can see all these allusions culminating in The Avengers movie.
At the moment I'm thinking that the Hulk will be the "villain" the eventual Avengers team is assembled to hunt down... but along the way a more serious threat to humanity emerges and the Hulh (once again) proves himself to be on the side of good.
If they use that in anyway, I will be highly dissapointed.
My greatest fear was, when I saw hints of Jean Grey turning into Phoenix in X2, that the third movie would be a trip through the Shi'ar Empire.
Of course, that might have made for a better plot than what eventually was puked onto the screen and called the third X-Men movie.
Although X-Men 3 was a disaster it could have been far worse if the series had dropped its "real world" setting and embraced the alien story arc from the comics (and the excellent early 1990s animated series, where I was initially introduced to it).
I like my superheroes very much earth-bound... :)