Review: ‘The Incredible Hulk’

Travis:

For anyone who’s doubted whether the second time is the charm, I assure you it is. The Incredible Hulk is yet another example of what is to come with the power back in Marvel’s and Stan Lee’s hands. Relative rookie director Louis Leterrier has taken his flair and experience from The Transporter movies and made a really successful adaptation of the classic character, honoring both the comic book and the original TV series we all love. To quote Ramman, “this movie was better than the first within the first ten minutes.”

Edward Norton takes on the complex role of Dr. Bruce Banner, who finds himself constantly on the run, both to protect himself and those around him from what he is capable of becoming. At the same time, General “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt) is desperately trying to capture Banner so he can isolate what make the Hulk possible and replicate it as a military weapon. Having no options left, General Ross enlists special forces veteran Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) to help capture the Hulk, but when Blonsky’s mission becomes an obsession, he turns himself into the Abomination that could mean the end of the Hulk.

The first thing I noticed about this version is that the back-story was handled beautifully, told with a clever montage of images that flash before our eyes while the opening credits role on screen. Its brief, but effective and takes up minimal time. This allows the comic book fans, who need no introduction, maximum story time … while giving the general audience just enough to catch them up and not lose them in the backstory. From the start, we’re thrown into Banner’s secluded life of hide and seek. He’s hiding from General Ross and any potential form of aggravation to avoid any further “incidences” as the Hulk. What he’s seeking is a cure for his condition, but is not finding any answers. Desperate to rid himself of this curse, he travels back to the United States to retrieve the data needed to develop a cure. This, of course, sparks the movie into an action-packed thrill ride as General Ross and Blonsky attempt to overcome the Hulk.

There is so much about this version that is better than the first, I really just want to focus on this movie. The special effects alone are light years better. The Hulk is much more believable, portrayed with just the right size and build and is given far better facial detail than the first version. The Hulk does not get bigger as he gets angrier, which is probably what pissed me off the most about the first movie. [That, and the monster poodle.] Liv Tyler plays Banner’s lost girlfriend Betty Ross, and does a great job as the love interest. Tim Blake Nelson is a satisfying surprise as Dr. Samuel Sterns. Tim Roth also does a fantastic job as the soldier obsessed with over-powering the Hulk. Keep your eyes and ears open for two subtle, but specific comic book references to other characters. Also, there’s an added bonus at the end, just before the credits … but its nothing that hasn’t been plastered all over the Internet already.

(4.5 stars out of 5)

Zac:

Edward Norton stars in the “reboot” of the Hulk franchise and is a solid second effort from Marvel Studios working as an independent studio.
Now, to add some background for my take on this film, I was a fan of Ang Lee’s Hulk. The action was awesome, crazy, and a bit over the top, but it worked. I also thought the Betty/Banner relationship was handled well and that both Eric Bana and Jenifer Connelly did excellent jobs. I will say the ending was a bit, ‘what the fuck’, the Hulk dogs a bit much, and the death of Josh Lucas’ character was terrible, but outside that I thought it did an alright job, especially once the Hulk is running around for the last 30 minutes or so.
With all that said, I prefer this iteration, as it is definitely a better all around film, though I think the action at the end of Ang Lee’s rivals, and might be better, than the action in this one; but just barely. The story works though, and the movie does a good job of selling the isolation of Bruce Banner as he is on the run. This film is a continuation of the first film, but not, at the same time, as they show things happened a bit different in the opening credits then they did in Ang Lee’s version. So don’t expect to watch a story about how the Hulk came to be, this is about Banner trying to get the Hulk out of him as he tries to avoid capture to be used by General Ross (William Hurt) to create super soldiers for the military.
The film follows Banner from Brazil to NYC, and apparently they left a visit to Captain America at the North Pole on the cutting room floor, as he tries to contact, “Mr. Blue”, a scientist that Banner has been in contact with researching for a cure. Banner also reconnects with his former lover Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), all while being pursued by an elite British soldier, Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) on loan in the search for Banner.
The film moves at a fairly good pace, never dragging, and the look is solid. Production values are high and the effects work is top notch, with only a couple of shaky shots that could look a bit better. The action is also solid through out with the first chase being excellent, but the connecting fight being a bit weak as they keep the Hulk in the shadows. The middle set piece is the best at the university, with the finale fight being a better finale then that of Iron Man.
The acting is top notch across the border as well. Edward Norton is Edward Norton and he carries the same quality acting he always has had into Bruce Banner. He captures the loneliness and longing Banner has as well as the fight to get rid of his “affliction.” Liv Tyler also serves as good Betty Ross, selling us on that connection that never really went away, though you can tell that her plot lines were chopped down considerably, and are a part of that 70min Norton and Leterrier wanted to keep in the film. Tim Roth does a good job as the power hungry Blonsky for most of the film, but after a certain incident with a tree, his character gets a bit weird before making the ultimate turn. William Hurt though is excellent as General Ross, and many steps above Sam Sheppard in Lee’s Hulk. Out of the three recurring and recast roles, he takes his character far and away beyond his previous counterpart; and while we are talking about it Norton and Tyler are right on with Bana and Connelly.
In the end, The Incredible Hulk is another good comic book film from Marvel Studios and is a promising start to a potential sequel, or at least a good lead in for Norton to play Banner in the Avengers film they want to make. All of the complaints people had with Lee’s Hulk have been ironed out and this is far more realistic fare. Good action, solid pacing, and great acting make this definitely worth your time if you are a fan of Norton or comic/action films. Though, I would love to see the un-truncated version of this film that Leterrier and Norton preferred; there is always the Blu-Ray.

(4 Hulk Smashes out of 5)

[rating:4.25/5]