Wide Angle Lenz [beta]

Here’s a secret: The only real history I have with the Hulk is the 2003 film (which sucked) and the character’s role in the Ultimate Avengers series(which I like). I haven’t seen the original television show, nor have I read any of the comics. As it’s somewhat impossible to be a Marvel geek and not know anything about the major characters, I do know of Bruce Banner, Betty Ross and the roles they play in the story.

So I went in to The Incredible Hulk with hardly any expectations. The trailers looked good, and I want the awesome geekfest that is the summer of 2008 movie season to keep going, but I really wasn’t expecting anything spectacular two hours later. I don’t think it was spectacular, but it was pretty good (and leagues better than Ang Lee’s version).

Let’s start with the character of Bruce Banner. I have heard of the squabble that went down between Edward Norton and Marvel Studios. Basically Norton had a script that explored what Bruce Banner has to endure living with the Hulk inside of him, but Marvel wanted a shorter version of the film that was more action-packed and showed the Hulk in full green glory sooner than Norton’s script had him appearing.The thing that is interesting about the Hulk isn’t the fact that he’s huge and can beat the crap out of nearly anything or anyone, it’s Bruce Banner’s struggle to understand it and control it. It’s what the Hulk does to Bruce, to Betty, to the city/world, and ultimately the Avengers. However, Marvel decided that a mere 15 minutes more of the film would make it too long and depressing for the audience to handle. LAME. All that said, though, I liked what Edward Norton did with Banner. He was a bit tougher than I expected, but I think it worked.

The entire beginning of the film was well done and I liked seeing him forced to be away from nearly everything that could frustrate him. I thought the anger management session with the martial artist was a really nice touch I wouldn’t have expected - probably because I’m not well versed in Hulk lore.

Although I haven’t watched the show before, I’m familiar with the theme song with him walking along the street - another one of those things you pick up being a geek I guess - and really liked the shot of Norton walking along the streets, hearing the theme. It was a nice touch. The little references like that worked really well in this film, which is very unusual in the Marvel films. Stan Lee had a role that actually contributed to the plot, and Lou Ferrigno’s role worked just as well - by the way, holy crap that guy is still REALLY buff. I also enjoyed the purple pants quite a bit.

The Abomination creature/character worked, and I think the build of creating that villain was much better than most hero flicks (most recent job not well done building a villain was in Iron Man). However, I really didn’t like Tim Roth’s portrayal of the superhuman soldier. He swallowed a lot of his lines and didn’t carry enough umph behind the guy. It’s interesting that they alluded to a new supervillian via the scientist that helps Banner and Ross, because I don’t think Marvel has plans for a Hulk2.

The thing that makes or breaks any Hulk film is how we actually see the Hulk on screen. There will always be a connection with live action that can’t be achieved (right now, at least) with visual effects, duh, but the expectation of a two-story Hulk makes that unachievable with any human. So the visual effects have to make the viewer truly believe they are looking at the Hulk, and not images created in post. That said, I think the Incredible Hulk looked good. The first sequence with him in the factory was awesome, and the close-ups were believable.

I liked The Incredible Hulk much better than I thought I would. I’d go see it if you’re a Marvel/super hero film fan. One more thing… Hulk SMASH!

4 out of 5