The Incredible Hulk

Much has been made of Marvel's odd decision to reboot the Hulk franchise after the 2003 film tanked critically and at the box office (It experienced a 75% drop from weekend 1 to weekend 2, which is unheard of). When Marvel started its own studio, "Hulk was something they really wanted to do and when they cast Edward Norton, it seemed like they were heading in the right direction. A supporting cast including William Hurt and Tim Roth also made it seem like they were doing it right this time. In trying to erase the 2003 version out of the minds of viewers, they went with a much more action oriented director, Louis Leterrier (Transporter 1 & 2), but things went badly. Norton wanted to rewrite and reedit the movie like crazy and eventually the studio won with a shorter more action packed version leaving Norton's cut on the cutting room floor. However, an action packed movie is what we wanted, right?

The opening credits of The Incredible Hulk accomplish what it took the 2003 version to do in over an hour. With a frenetic editing pace and crazy music, we see The Hulk's origin in a few minutes and then pick up the story with Bruce Banner(Norton) hiding in Brazil working some hourly job in a soda factory. We get a visual cue on screen that lets us know it has been over 100 days without "incident." Banner is working hard at keeping his heart rate under 200, because, well getting Banner angry has serious ramifications. General Ross (Hurt) of the United States Army is still searching for Banner whom he believes is a weapon and is property of the U.S.A. After a freak accident in the plant and the obligatory Stan Lee cameo, the Army finds Banner and the chase is on. Banner is trying to find a cure and is in communication with a Mr. Blue, but in order for Mr. Blue to help, he needs more data; Banner has to go back to the scene of the crime. Meanwhile, Ross has found a super soldier, essentially in Emil Blonsky(Roth), whom he injects with a super serum. In a dazzling, loud and violent scene, the Army "traps" Banner on a college campus, and Hulk is unleashed. Sonic Cannons are unleashed and fanboys go crazy! When Banner does his Hyde thing, he has no control, but the one person who can help him control, who can bring him back to reality is Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Betty is trying to help Banner find the cure. All the while, Blonsky needs more power, craves more. He needs to be stronger, faster and meaner. The trailer let us know that an epic battle between Hulk and "The Abomination" was going to take place and with Harlem as a background, they fight. Boy do they ever fight.

The Incredible Hulk is often too loud, but it never fails to entertain. I am sure with some of the missing 70 minutes there would be more character story and maybe even an arc, but this is an action movie and it is not short on the thrills. The first action sequence with The Hulk captured in only the edges of the camera frame, hiding in steam and ducking behind corners reminded me of many monster movies and really sets a nice tone for the movie. Hulk is shorter this time around, but he is a lot meaner. The look of Hulk is rough and jagged. His green is darker and his yell is gnarly. He uses the thunderclap and he is not above tearing a car in half and destroying tanks. Leterrier knows exactly how to pace the action scenes and he doesn't edit them too crazy so we can't see what is going on. The final showdown is amazing and worth the price of admission on its own. The little references to Captain America, The Leader and of course the Tony Stark cameo really help to make Marvel Studios a studio to be reckoned with. They want to achieve in movies what they have done with comics- create an entire world that is interconnected. Norton does a very good job as Banner, but his scenes with Tyler seem to be missing something. I don't know if they lack chemistry really, but something is missing, maybe I just needed more time with them together.

This Hulk did not have the highest of expectations as it only had to be better than the 2003 version and it is better than that. Whereas the 2003 version tried too hard to be a serious film and almost philosophize the character of Hulk, the 2008 version does exactly what I needed it to do; it just wrecks shit. Whenever Hulk is on screen, I knew I was going to be satisfied. Tim Roth makes a seriously excellent Emil Blonsky. He is cocksure and mean and believable as a super soldier. We believe Blonsky really will go as far as possible to win. He simply will not lose. The effects of The Abomination are out of this world good and detailed beyond belief. I was not sure about any of this in the teaser trailer, but my fears were put to rest when actually watching the movie. I enjoyed the chase aspect and the Lou Ferrigno cameo was perfectly placed. It does get a bit boring in places and the script is lacking in terms of punch. It lacks a light touch. Most comic book movies should have a somewhat lighthearted tone in places and Hulk lacks it until Mr. Blue A.K.A Samuel Sterns A.K.A The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) is on screen. Nelson's manic energy really adds the comic touch to the movie as well as sets up the possible sequel nicely.

What I needed Hulk to do, he did. I cannot complain too much. This is certainly not in the truly upper echelon of comic book movies, but it is highest among the second tier. The Hulk is an awesome force and the movie goes along way to show that. It is a loud, action packed two hours featuring a few dazzling sequences and in the middle of summer when I desire to be entertained first, The Incredible Hulk certainly delivers. By the time the green monster gets around to saying "Hulk Smash" I just sat there and said, "Yes you certainly do." Awesome.

Final Grade: B