Char and I went out to see the Incredible Hulk on Monday night, and while it’s definitely a better overall movie than the first film version of the Hulk was, this was still a fairly weak comic book adaptation.
Hulk is a pretty easy concept to get right, and the whole “man on the run” part of the story was done perfectly. What didn’t work as much was the Jeckyl and Hyde aspects of the story.
Bruce Banner is a manifestation if pure ID, he’s the embodyment of intelligence, probably one of the brightest minds on the planet, but not incredibly strong. The Hulk is a manifestation of pure Ego, he is the strongest creature on the planet, but not very bright. There has to be a small part of Bruce Banner that actually wants the Hulk to be let out, just like there would be a small part of the Hulk which wants Banner to return
The Good: “Hulk Smash”. The whole movie is just one big long extended fight scene. Edward Norton is pretty cool as Bruce Banner. There are plenty of little homages to the TV show. William Hurt was really good. The appearance of Tony Stark was genius.
The Bad: The whole movie is just one big long extended fight scene. It feels more like you’re playing a video game than watching a movie. The destruction is catastrophic, but no after-effects are felt. I wasn’t a huge fan of the TV show…but I understand the fascination with it. The Hulk looked fake. Abomination even more so. Both CGI characters looked like video game characters.
In a post-9/11 world, our minds don’t allow us the pure escapism of just smashing buildings and moving on. Cloverfiel is a perfect example. There was needless wanton destruction, but when the helicopter raised way above the city you felt this horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach like “look at the carnage”.
The last scene with Banner indicates that maybe Bruce Banner will be able to control the transformations in the next movie. I would love to see the intelligent Hulk from the comics make an appearance at some point.
I love how all of the characters are beginning to cross over with each others’ movies. Having Tony Stark in the Hulk was cool, as were the brief appearance of Shield, and the shots of Stark weaponry.
Up next for me: Wanted on June 27th.
So who was right.. Marvel and the studio who wanted the Hulk Smash cut or Norton, who has not done much press because of artistic differences. He wanted his version which was a more dramatic version with more emotion and substance.
We should organize a Wanted outing…maybe you’ll actually come out this time 😉
Hey Don; I don’t know if Norton’s “cut” was an actual thing or not. From what I’ve read he just came in and script doctored stuff…that would be like talking about the Tarantino cut of Crimson Tide…dude just tweaked some dialogue. The other thing is that the way the movie introed (in Alaska) is sounding less and less good. It didn’t matter in any case as the movie really missed the mark and didn’t focus on the right stuff.
CJ; Wife trumps all. When she wants to see a movie, I have to decline any other invitations. I also kinda hate seeing movies with groups…my whole life coordinating people.
Brian, while I bow to your indepth knowledge of all things comic and am sure your above review is justified, you failed to note my take on the two movies which is this: Liv Tyler trumps Jennifer Connelly’s ridiculous eyebrows, so this one was a better movie. Also, Ed Norton is kind of hot in that quiet-raging-man sort of way. (Sorry you had to hear that from your wife.)
Just sayin’
Well I finally saw this movie.. still no Indy. And I have to say I liked it. Not Iron Man liked it but pretty good liked it. 1st it was so chock full of inside stuff I don’t know how the unwashed would ever fully appreciate it. The Bill Bixby cameo from Eddie’s Father was subtle and great. Having Lou voice the Hulk was also a nice touch. However.. Liv Tyler was brutal.
Char one must look past a person’s eyebrows to fully appreciate her fuller assets.
The Toronto stuff was neat. I don’t know.. I guess I felt it was a great popcorn movie that didn’t require too much thinking. Stark at the end was great.. especially about the team he’s forming. Now if I can just get the Hulk over to my place to finish taking out my kitchen cabinets and floor I would be thrilled…
1 further note.. 11 days to X-Files. My cousin the Fox archivist saw it last month and could not say 1 thing about it. But she torments me with the odd word “interesting” here and there.
BTW why couldn’t Hulk and Abomination look as good as PJ’s King Kong?