The Incredible Hulk (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
Well, Ang Lee struck out with 'Hulk' a few yrs. ago, so Louis Leterrier (Transformers) takes a stab now at 'The Incredible Hulk'. Now a fugitive, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) learns to utilize his condition (transforming into a giant when distressed) in an effort to save his old girlfriend, Betty (Liv Tyler), and take down an evil foe named 'The Abomination' (Tim Roth). While I gave 2003's Hulk a thumbs down, I didn't condemn it. 2008's 'The Incredible Hulk' is a better film on most accounts. There aren't any glaring weaknesses. But I was rarely enthralled aside from the climax.
The movie begins by re-telling what Bruce has been up to since the end of the previous film. I enjoyed this opening sequence (though it became a tad hectic in the end). The proper beginning of the film shows Bruce hiding in Brazil. He's still on the run from both the U.S. military, and himself. Working in a factory, learning Portuguese, Bruce is desperate to keep the lowest profile possible, all the while, searching for a cure to his 'Hulk' ailment. Unfortunately, something awful occurs at his factory, & General Ross (William Hurt) becomes privy to Bruce's location. A team is assembled, led by Emil Blonsky (Roth), and they head off to Brazil. They find him, Bruce becomes enraged, & turns into the Hulk. Escapes ensue.
Bruce hobbles & hijacks his way back to America where he's reunited with Betty. It just so turns out that General Ross is Betty's dad; so mayhem ensues. She & Bruce go on the run; all the while, trying to cure his disease with help from the mysterious Mr. Blue (Tim Blake Nelson). Meanwhile, Gen. Ross & Emil come up with a plan of capturing Bruce ... injecting Emil with a dose of Banner's own medicine. However, a power hungry Emil takes it a step too far; creating a superhuman monster as destructible (if not more so) than Hulk himself. By the end of the film, there's a huge climactic battle btwn. the 2 of them (of course).
Let's discuss what goes well in this movie. Firstly, it's a stellar, straightforward, in-your-face special effects extravaganza, period. Characters are introduced, situations arise, & battles commence. There are absolutely no jarring surpises for audiences to acclimate to. The movie takes a talk-less, smash-more approach (with varying success). Why provide a complex plot when you can jolt people out of their seats? The best part of the film IS it's rousing climax. The level of action, noise, special effects, & suspense is brutal. Brutal in a good way! Tim Roth is effectively creepy & menacing (later on). William Hurt is ok as the General; but he's not asked to lend much, either. And it's great to see cameos from several unexpected stars. It looks like some sequels are destined. Color me surprised.
As I said earlier, there aren't glaring weaknesses, but plenty of near-miss components. 1) Some characters do some astonishingly stupid things. 2) While Tim Roth is stellar, 'Abomination' himself is half-developed. 3) Edward Norton is fine as Bruce Banner; but so was Eric Bana. 4) Liv Tyler isn't bad, but her dialogue is trite. And the chemistry btwn. her & Norton? They want us to believe SO much that there's chemistry, but there really isn't. You know who had chemistry? Paltrow & Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Speaking of Iron Man ... 'that' film offers superior wit, style, & special effects than this film. 5) While the special effects are big in this film, they're not necessarily better (too computer-generated for my taste). 'The Incredible Hulk' is efficient ... but it's anything but Incredible.
And on a side note: I was struck by something a group of kids said as they left the theater (regarding this film). "Oh, man that was sooo awesome. But I can't wait for Hancock. When's that out again? Hey, wanna come over & swim in my pool? (cheers from all the kids)". Summer blockbusters are coming at us way too fast & way too furious. These kids won't care about 'The Incredible Hulk' one week from now, or 1 yr. from now. Heck, they've already forgotten it. I also heard some late-teens come out saying, "Well, that sucked more than Hulk". No matter the reaction, I think it's telling that there are, perhaps, too many movies being released on a week-to-week basis. For many movie goers, it just isn't as special as it used to be. Let's hope some better screenplays surface soon.
The movie begins by re-telling what Bruce has been up to since the end of the previous film. I enjoyed this opening sequence (though it became a tad hectic in the end). The proper beginning of the film shows Bruce hiding in Brazil. He's still on the run from both the U.S. military, and himself. Working in a factory, learning Portuguese, Bruce is desperate to keep the lowest profile possible, all the while, searching for a cure to his 'Hulk' ailment. Unfortunately, something awful occurs at his factory, & General Ross (William Hurt) becomes privy to Bruce's location. A team is assembled, led by Emil Blonsky (Roth), and they head off to Brazil. They find him, Bruce becomes enraged, & turns into the Hulk. Escapes ensue.
Bruce hobbles & hijacks his way back to America where he's reunited with Betty. It just so turns out that General Ross is Betty's dad; so mayhem ensues. She & Bruce go on the run; all the while, trying to cure his disease with help from the mysterious Mr. Blue (Tim Blake Nelson). Meanwhile, Gen. Ross & Emil come up with a plan of capturing Bruce ... injecting Emil with a dose of Banner's own medicine. However, a power hungry Emil takes it a step too far; creating a superhuman monster as destructible (if not more so) than Hulk himself. By the end of the film, there's a huge climactic battle btwn. the 2 of them (of course).
Let's discuss what goes well in this movie. Firstly, it's a stellar, straightforward, in-your-face special effects extravaganza, period. Characters are introduced, situations arise, & battles commence. There are absolutely no jarring surpises for audiences to acclimate to. The movie takes a talk-less, smash-more approach (with varying success). Why provide a complex plot when you can jolt people out of their seats? The best part of the film IS it's rousing climax. The level of action, noise, special effects, & suspense is brutal. Brutal in a good way! Tim Roth is effectively creepy & menacing (later on). William Hurt is ok as the General; but he's not asked to lend much, either. And it's great to see cameos from several unexpected stars. It looks like some sequels are destined. Color me surprised.
As I said earlier, there aren't glaring weaknesses, but plenty of near-miss components. 1) Some characters do some astonishingly stupid things. 2) While Tim Roth is stellar, 'Abomination' himself is half-developed. 3) Edward Norton is fine as Bruce Banner; but so was Eric Bana. 4) Liv Tyler isn't bad, but her dialogue is trite. And the chemistry btwn. her & Norton? They want us to believe SO much that there's chemistry, but there really isn't. You know who had chemistry? Paltrow & Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Speaking of Iron Man ... 'that' film offers superior wit, style, & special effects than this film. 5) While the special effects are big in this film, they're not necessarily better (too computer-generated for my taste). 'The Incredible Hulk' is efficient ... but it's anything but Incredible.
And on a side note: I was struck by something a group of kids said as they left the theater (regarding this film). "Oh, man that was sooo awesome. But I can't wait for Hancock. When's that out again? Hey, wanna come over & swim in my pool? (cheers from all the kids)". Summer blockbusters are coming at us way too fast & way too furious. These kids won't care about 'The Incredible Hulk' one week from now, or 1 yr. from now. Heck, they've already forgotten it. I also heard some late-teens come out saying, "Well, that sucked more than Hulk". No matter the reaction, I think it's telling that there are, perhaps, too many movies being released on a week-to-week basis. For many movie goers, it just isn't as special as it used to be. Let's hope some better screenplays surface soon.