Incredible Hulk, The Review

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"Incredible Hulk, The" reviews

Movie

Incredible Hulk, The

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-06-16 00:03:42

Rating

4/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

This time they got it right; The Hulk really IS incredible! Iron Man was just the warm up for this mega-tons of fun, super powered summer movie adrenaline blast that will probably have you leaping out of your seat.

Story

Chronicled before in countless comic books, a '70s television series and, of course, Ang Lee's critically lambasted 2003 big screen version, The Incredible Hulk remains one of Marvel's treasured creations. The innate story revolves around scientist Dr. Bruce Banner, whose cells are poisoned by gamma radiation and who frequently unleashes his inner monster--the mean green machine known as the Hulk. Thankfully, this spruced-up version doesn't waste a lot of time giving us the back story. Instead, it launches right into the problems at hand. Banner (Edward Norton), now forced to be apart from the love of his life Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and living on the edges of society, is desperately looking for the antidote that will cure him of his unique rage. His immediate task, however, is avoiding the dogged pursuit of the U.S. military machine aiming--led by Betty's father, General Ross (William Hurt)--to exploit his unique powers. This quest has led them all to the outskirts of Brazil, where Banner is on the loose. Ross employs the services of super-soldier Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) to do the deed, a job that leads to Blonsky's own re-invention as The Abomination--and setting up the ultimate battle of battles when both are back in America.

Acting

Marvel Studios is on a roll when it comes to unique casting ideas this summer. First, they re-ignited 40-something Robert Downey Jr.'s career in an inspired idea to make him Iron Man--and now travel the unlikely route of putting Edward Norton, a fine actor not known for popcorn action fare, in the Bruce Banner part. Norton brings an urgency, wit and intelligence to the role that was sorely missing when Eric Bana took it on in Lee's version. We really understand the anger raging within, and Banner's determined desire to get rid of it. Just as in classic movie monsters like King Kong, there is great empathy for the monster that is unleashed in the form of the Hulk . Much of that is do to Norton's smart take and dedication (he's an uncredited co-writer) in creating this incarnation of Banner. He owns this role now. Whatever reported conflicts happened in production, the final results are worth it. Tyler's Betty Ross is nicely played and full of the appropriate passion, while Tim Blake Nelson has some hilarious super-hyper moments as the scientist who may hold the key to Banner's salvation. Hurt is properly authoritative and evil as the General out for Banner's power. And finally Roth, scrappy and fierce as Norton's main nemesis and his perfect match.

Direction

Young French director Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2) proves the perfect choice to finally make Hulk work on screen. His fast-paced, take-no-prisoners filmmaking style--mixed with his professed love of all things Hulk when he was growing up as a kid in Paris--have paid off handsomely. He clearly has a vision and moves this thing along like a freight train, almost a non-stop chase in the same spirit that powered last summer's supreme sequel The Bourne Ultimatum. Not shackled with Ang Lee's problems in creating a credible monster, Leterrier is the beneficiary of strong advances in CGI and the Hulk and Abomination are both state-of-the-art iconic visual effects. The ultimate "Godzilla vs Mothra"-style battle at the end is flawlessly pulled off and a marvel to watch (pun intended). Leterrier has achieved some of the best action sequences ever, but not at a human cost, which is really remarkable in a summer comic book blockbuster like this. At the center are recognizable people we can root for--and against--right up to the end of the breezy 104-minute running time when an unexpected cameo in the form of another comic book superstar makes a surprise appearance.

Bottom Line

Hollywood.com rated this film 4 stars.

Movie

The Incredible Hulk

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-06-12 12:18:16

Provider

Review

A new take on big green monster eschews Ang Lee's thoughtful, but deep character-laden approach for action and adventure.

So is the new Hulk a sequel to Lee's misfiring original or a reboot? Well, Banner's (Edward Norton) gamma absorption and the initial chase are all dealt with in the title sequence, which is clever as it acknowledge the first film without retreading the same ground.

It starts off at a Brazilian Favela where Banner is trying to solve his 'sickness' whilst laying low and learning to control his anger and pulse rate (he tops 200 bpms and he's going green!). The General (William Hurt) still wants his body ('it's Government property'), so when a clue to Banner's whereabouts turns up a crack team are dispatched including 'ringer' and Royal Marine Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). However, the entrapment goes awry and the Hulk 'arrives' (and impressively so too), wreaks havoc and escapes. Now Blonsky's interest is piqued so he partakes of some of the General's secret 'wonder-juice' to become a 'super-soldier'.

Marvel are setting us up for a major push into film now they've got their own studio and the rights for most of their characters. The Incredible Hulk is a fine example of (and offers a clue to) where they're headed. Its far closer to the comic book and bears more than a little resemblance to the approach taken with Ironman. The Hulk looks like, well, The Hulk this time and fans who want a fight get plenty. There's wry good humour too: a snapshot of a TV with Bill Bixby on-screen and a Lou Ferringo cameo (the two 70s TV Hulk actors) and, as always, a walk on for Stan Lee.

Battling with his affliction Norton's a far more convincing Banner than Bana(!), you'll really hate the General this time and Liv Tyler gives good Betty (if slightly 2D - well, it is based on a comic!). Also like Ironman the pacing's spot-on, but this time the final battle is a tour de force that doesn't outstay it's welcome and has quality Hulk-ian elements added for additional spice. Yup - another franchise is up and running. Prepare for some Avenging in the near future!