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The Incredible Hulk Stars: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson and Lou Ferrigno as the voice of The Hulk Director: Louis Leterrier Scriptwriters: Edward Norton and Zak Penn from the Marvel Comics character Composer: Craig Armstrong Cinematographer: Peter Menzies, Jr. Universal Pictures Rating: PG 13 for intense action and thematic material Running Length: one hour and fifty minutes The Incredible Hulk pays gentle homage to past versions of the character. There is a television scene of the late Bill Bixby in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, plus a scene with Lou Ferrigno as a security guard, the haunting music theme from the television series woven into the music of this film and a reference to David Banner. Hulk fans will eagerly find these moments, and I think Edward Norton makes an interesting study as Banner, the scientist who experimented on himself and created an angry green creature. Peter Menzies, Jr. photography captures the transformations well. Eat your spinach, boys. This story begins with a flashback of an experiment to cure Banner of the intense anger created by a gamma ray over-exposure. This resulted in deaths and harm to Banner’s wife, Elizabeth Ross (Liv Tyler). Banner escapes and it is years later. He’s living in a favela in Brazil, working at menial tasks and trying to prevent the green episodes. A monitor at the edge of the screen calculates how many days have gone by between episodes. The story then goes between Banner’s life in Brazil and his e-mail contact with a U.S. scientist who is trying to help him--and--General Ross’s attempts to find Banner and then create a serum to make strong soldiers. Yes, The Hulk was supposed to be a government secret weapon but gone awry. Tim Roth is present as a British soldier who wants to become aggressive, so he submits to the experimental serum and before you can snap your fingers, becomes “Abomination,” who is a cross between a white Hulk and a fossil. Inevitably, the two creatures meet, but before this, we have chases with and without Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and General Ross. In fact, the Hulk materializes not that much and only when essential to the plot. This Hulk may be computer generated, but is finely done. His trips through the city, though, look suspiciously like a certain webbed character's forays. Be sure to stay until the very end for clever scenes. I wondered whether The Hulk would be a cumbersome creature, turning up at every street corner and rescuing damsels in distress. It was a pleasant surprise to have a, dare I say, intellectual stance to the story with Banner trying one serum after another to stave off anger, and also taking martial arts training for purposeful breathing. Always alone, and looking over his shoulder, life on the run is perilous to be sure. The script, co-written by Edward Norton, has a few one-liners that are subtly woven into the dialogue. You catch them, but they are not in your face. Norton’s Banner is a man betrayed by his body who needs people but can’t trust himself. Liv Tyler is the wife who is always waiting, while her father, General Ross (William Hurt) is always waiting, too, but with a military plan in mind. A muscular Tim Roth makes a good military villain and you can believe his zeal in wanting the power of strength that comes with this serum. Tim Blake Nelson is the talkative scientist who is willing to help Banner, but in the end may have his own agenda, too. All in all, The Incredible Hulk is a satisfying trip into the green unknown of man’s anger. Banner wears a pulse meter on his wrist and when it hits 200, look out. What would yours be on the drive home each night? Copyright 2008 Marie Asner Submitted 6/11/08
I have to wonder if the barrage of marvel comic super hero films has anything to do with our inner longing for strength and stability. In these days it is hard to find a hero we can trust. Someone who truly has our best interest at heart and the power to back it up. A being who will not give in to the pressure of conformity or manipulation. A conqueror in every sense off the word. Or, maybe we just want to see something big and green tear stuff up and throw things around. I tend to lean either way. Last month’s Iron Man had my hopes up for more of the same witty, action packed explosion of site and sound. Would The Incredible Hulk deliver the goods? Or be left green with envy at the box office. That was the big question. Non-comic book fans are more familiar with The Hulk than other comic characters due to the success of the late 70’s TV series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. We have all quoted the famous line, “Don’t get me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”. The story of Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) and his need to stay one step ahead of those pursuing him until he can find a way to cure the gamma contamination that causes him to literally get green with anger and destroy all that is around him is a simple one. In this movie version it is the US Army and General Ross (William Hurt) who want to get hold of Bruce. They have intentionally created their own version of the Hulk by injecting a glory hungry soldier (Tim Roth). Banner must now unleash the force he tries so hard to control in order to battle this Abomination. I have always been a huge fan of Norton and I was a little concerned about him slumming it in this type of film. No offense but these roles seem better suited for those trying to revive their careers or break out of the television realm. The day Sean Penn plays Batman is the day I hang my review hat up for good. Norton plays Banner well and has that quiet inner brooding that is needed. Liv Tyler joins the cast as Betsy Ross, the female scientist and love interest of Banner. A good solid choice for this role. Tyler has a peace and gentleness about her that comes through in her patient caring for Banner, even when he is at his greenest. That said I still was not as impressed with this film as I had hoped to be. The lack of humor and wit that these films need and the over abundance of army men and army this and army that made this installment far less enjoyable. It was loud and large but lacked the endearing nature of previous marvel films. The Hulk just isn’t very likable. Nor is Banner. He is a nice guy but has no charisma or personality. So there is nothing to really admire about him. In the TV series Ferrigno at least made the Hulk personable which made the success so great. Here it is just a big animated cartoon. It has no life or personality. That added to the King Kong imitation scenes between The Hulk and Betsy made for a slightly ok but forgettable film. I left Iron Man hoping for a sequel. I left The Hulk still hoping for an Iron Man sequel. The Incredible Hulk is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images, and brief suggestive content. The Hulk and The Abomination are big, loud, destructive creatures. The fight scenes are intense but still in comic book fashion. Like most of these films it is more than likely safe for your 12 and up crowd. I give it only a light 3 out of 5 stretchy pants. Plus there are 3 cameo appearances that are the only things that seemed to get any sort of response from the audience. But if the little Hulk inside you needs a release this weekend, you should find it somewhat entertaining. Even if it is not incredible, it is at least Ok. Matt Mungle (6/10/08) Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and co-hosts a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies, with his wife Cindy. For additional reviews, interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com
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