"Don't make me...hungry. You wouldn't like me when I'm...hungry."
When I first heard Edward Norton was going to be taking over the role of Bruce Banner in Louis Letterier's reboot of the Hulk franchise, I was ecstatic. I was, to say the least, disappointed by Eric Bana's performance as the big green monster. Though I blame that more on the directing and writing by Ang Lee and crew than I do Bana. I have to say though, Norton wasn't as good as I expected him to be. Maybe my expectations were too high. He was entertaining, don't get me wrong, but nothing compared to what we have seen of Norton in the past. We all know what this actor is capable of, and it seems like he held back on this one. His performance is done admirably, but doesn't leave you with that usual "WOW" feeling you get from a Norton performance.
This adaptation of our favorite over emotional monster takes a complete 180 from it's predecessor, making this a tighter, more action driven film than the character focused forerunner. Louis Letterier takes the directors helm for only the third time with The Incredible Hulk. His job of presenting the movie to us was well done, though his direction of his cast of A-List actors was not all it could have been. His action sequences are exciting and the story line was delivered nicely through his images and vision. The footage he shot in Rio De Janiero, Brazil was especially good. Wide sweeping shots of a Brazilian jungle and ghetto. A fast paced chase scene through back-alleys and shortcuts. They all prove to be exciting.
Letterier's designs of the famed characters, the Hulk and the Abomination were realized awesomely. The Hulk stands at around 8-9 feet tall probably(definitely smaller than Bana's hulk, which I found over the top). The usual extreme muscle mass and green skin is present, but I found that the CGI companies really did well on the facial expressions of the Hulk. Much like Gollum in the Lord of the Rings series, you really feel that this is a man who has gone through a ghastly transformation, rather than a special effects monster. The Abomination is huge. His back and arms are covered in huge spikes, which he digs into the Hulk, and his voice is like an explosion. The Abomination is a very physical character, and again, the CGI companies did a wonderful job generating a huge monster that moves fluidly with great agility and speed.
Zak Penn(Elektra, X Men 3) delivers us the story this time. And if I'm not mistaken, I believe Norton contributed a great deal to the script. Basically, Banner is on the run. Hiding out in Brazil, he is trying to figure out a way to reverse the effects from his Gamma Ray experiment gone wrong. He practices Martial Arts and breathing techniques in the mean time, to better control his rage. He is in contact with a "Mr. Blue" over the internet, who seems to be a fellow scientist back in the states interested in helping and exploring Bruce's condition. However, when Gen. Thunderbolt Ross(William Hurt) learns of Banners whereabouts and sends a team, a part of which is Major Emil Blonsky(Tim Roth) to obtain and return Banner to the states, Bruce is forced to flee and begins his trek, on foot, from South America back to the US. This part of the film bothered me. We got only a little bit of footage depicting Bruces travel back to America. It would take a hell of a long time to reach the states from Brazil only by hitching rides and walking. The average person probably wouldn't even make it back alive, but of course, this is the Hulk. I find it hard to believe he didn't have any encounters that would of triggered his mutation. Like I said, this film relied more on fast paced action than story.
Back in the states, Bruce comes back into contact with his one time partner and lover, Betty Ross(Liv Tyler). Liv Tyler didn't do a whole lot for me. Her performance was bland and didn't really draw you in. Nothing special.
Betty introduces Bruce to his previous pen pal, Mr. Blue. Mr. Blue turns out to be Samuel Sterns(Tim Blake Nelson), a fellow scientist and a bit of an eccentric. Tim Blake Nelson, who I have been a big fan of since O' Brother Where Art Thou, delivers his performance as the zany professor wonderfully. Samuel Sterns is a crusader of knowledge. He believes he can isolate this mutation of Banners and use it to manipulate the genes of other people, ridding the world of disease and birth defects. Nelson portrays the fanaticism and hunger of Sterns perfectly and even throws in a bit of humor to boot. His role is also a set up for a sequel, if such a thing ever comes up. I sure hope it does. His performance in this was just a taste of what he could bring to the table the second time around.
Tim Roth(Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) depicts Major Emil Blonsky, a power hungry, self described fighter. A real hard ass that wants to be the one that gets the Hulk and brings him in. He is given ample opprotunity to do so, when he is injected with a certain "Super Soldier Serum" that was used back in WW2(anyone? anyone?). His agility and physical prowess are magnified, making him a contender for the Hulk, though not a vanquisher. He is defeated by the Hulk in their first showdown, only to find his regenerating capabilites were amplified as well, healing him in no time. Blonsky eventually comes into contact with Samuel Sterns. "Persuading" Dr. Sterns, Blonsky is injected with Banners mutation. Sterns practically participates willingly, eager to see what will happen. The combination of whats already him and Banners own gamma irradiated blood are too volatile of a combo, producing The Abomination, one of the Hulks biggest enemies. The action between these two is so badass. The fight scenes are intense. These two use their surroundings to inflict punishment on each other and all in their path lays waste after they're through. Tim Roth plays his character well. Though like Norton, I feel he didn't exactly bring his A-game and could of been a lot better.
William Hurt replaces Sam Elliot as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. If they were to have kept one actor from the original movie, Sam Elliot would have been my pick. Not because of Hurt's performance(which was awesome) but because I personally liked Elliot as the character more and I'm a huge fan of Elliot's work. Nevertheless, Hurt comes through as the cold and calculating General out to end Bruce's reign of terror the only way he sees fit. By capturing him and bringing him under Military control. Hurt's rugged presence and commanding voice come together to depict a real asshole of a human being. Ross' interactions with the surrounding characters is an entire story in it's own. There's plenty of Comic Book references. Like I mentioned, the Super Soldier Serum from WW2 as well as a couple mentions of S.H.I.E.L.D. This movie, along with Iron Man, are the set up for, which we all know, The Avengers. Which if done right, will absolutely fucking rule.
I found this movie to be a great improvement from the 2003 adaptation of one of my favorite comic characters of all time. Though definitely nothing groundbreaking, the acting, directing and writing come together to bring us an action packed and entertaining film. There is plenty to notice if you look closely. Quite a few cameos, some more obvious than others. Look closely and you may be surprised by what you find. Remember, this is co-wrote by the writer of Elektra, another Marvel character. And if Captain America can get a mention, then why can't someone from Elektra's universe?
All these cameos and references still cannot detract from the fact that this is a Hulk movie. The Hulk is the star of this flick, and the amount of ass he kicks is unbelievable. Norton may have lacked a little, but the Hulk was spot on. Definitely worth watching.
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