The Incredible Hulk

Ed Norton is out to prove he is more than Ang Lee

DETAILS:
Released - 13 June 2008
Certificate - 12A
Running Time - 112min
Director -Louis Leterrier
Screenwriter - Zak Penn
Producers -Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Gale Anne Hurd, Stan Lee
Cinematography - Peter Menzies Jr.
Editing - Rick Shaine and John Wright
Music - Craig Armstrong
Theatrical distributor - Universal
Country - USA

SYNOPSIS:
After a military scientific experiment goes wrong, Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is infected with gamma radiation and is classified a fugitive of the American government by order of General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (William Hurt). After years of living secluded in trying to come to terms with his disease it is time for Bruce to come back into the open to find a cure for his Hulk symptoms. Whilst trying to meet with a scientist samaritan under the pseudonym Mr. Blue, Bruce has to deal with the pursuing armed forces, his love for the general’s daughter Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) whilst not forgetting the biggest threat of all; evil rogue marine Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), a megalomaniac who is determined to hunt him down.

REVIEW:
The story of the Hulk is a problematic narrative to translate to the big screen. It is extremely difficult to find a coherent balance between emotionally engaging characters and testosterone filled carnage. This problem does not concern the comic books as the narration of Bruce’s inner thoughts lets the emotion flow easily through both sides of Jekyll and Hyde to maintain one fluent plot. But without these soliloquies the darker side of Bruce cannot be as effectively portrayed in a more visual medium. The Hulk just becomes a big green piece of CGI, an angry Shrek or jolly green giant with a frown which is not as threatening. Such difficulties Ang Lee tried to avoid with an art house approach are just as present here. Once again the CGI takes the spotlight over the actual story. In an attempt to find a balance between a plot and bashing things a vague love interest makes us mildly care but ultimately the only way to end things is to introduce a bigger and meaner creature for Hulk to bash to bits.

Despite this, Louis Leterrier’s Hulk is a vast improvement on Ang Lee’s depiction which proved that art house cinema and blockbusters do not mix. In simple terms Hulk fans are into action and uninterested in art house whereas Ang Lee fans are generally not into blockbuster cinema. After marvel’s hiccup this time around the action film the fans wanted originally has arrived. A plot which puts Bruce Banner on the run adds more urgency and intensity to proceedings. The main problem with the original was that we were waiting too long for Bruce to realise that he was the Hulk and begin to turn into it. The initial wait is not as long this time around as Bruce’s transformation is summed up in an extremely brief opening montage that lasts the best part of a minute. This is all that was needed in the first place. Similarly an action director is integral to the film and who is better for the challenge than the Transporter 2’s Leterrier. What he has proved in places is that Bruce Banner does not necessarily have to be green for the action to take place. The first chase scene where Bruce runs from Marines over favela rooftops is derivative of Paul Greengrass’ Bourne franchise and almost as heart pounding. Plot tools include a pulse monitoring watch which enhances the tension. Also a humorous reference to where his purple stretchy pants came from shows how Leterrier has the fans best interests at heart.

Ed Norton is the perfect casting for the role. He has proved in the past that he can play a calm collective and likeable character with the ability to switch on a convincing rage driven monster particularly in his Oscar nominated role as murderer Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear. Although here there is not much for him to do except run and look scared. He has done what he has been told perfectly but he is unable to explore his vast talent. Also Roth just has to look mean, but he is the right person to play a psycho.

As Marvel enters its second phase of dominating the comic book cinematic market more critically established actors are taking on the Superhero limelight which is beginning to add a certain integrity to this genre. But is this also a step backwards that means in order to get noticed more such actors are turning down better less blockbuster type roles? Ultimately superhero movie characters are caricatures and nothing more. At the end of the incredible hulk another reference is made to the Avengers project as Tony Stark cameos at the end. Here we are reminded how Marvel are going mental in the future with a vast amount of further releases. Hopefully the quality will not slip through their fingers as they become overloaded with too many projects to handle. In the Avengers will too many chefs spoil the broth? Only time will tell.

TO SUM UP:
Overall the Hulk is a far better film than Ang Lee’s initial attempt. Having said that it suffers from the same problems, the intense action and emotional side story do not seem to gel well together proving that the Hulk is best left in the comics.