The Incredible Hulk …
Back in 2003 when the trailers for [ "Hulk" ] were being shown in the theaters, I would gleefully clap and was so excited to see the movie, and so the disappointment that was Ang Lee’s attempt to destroy my childhood was that much harder to take. From that perspective I want to thank everyone involved in doing [ "The Incredible Hulk" ] for restoring my faith in movie making and telling the greatest Hulk story ever…
This movie creates a great blend of the original TV series from the 70′s and the comic book origin, so that no matter what your knowledge is of the Hulk character, there’s something that everyone will be able to grab onto for the movie.
First off, the cast is amazing. [ Ed Norton ] as Bruce Banner is sheer genius, and I thought he did an amazing job. [ William Hurt ] as General Ross was great. I know a lot of people do not like William Hurt, but I love his style of acting, and I always love seeing him in a movie. I am torn about [ Liv Tyler ]. I really hated her after Lord of the Rings, but it wasn’t her fault that her character was poorly adapted and given too much of a role in the movie, and after [ The Strangers ], I started liking her again. I wasn’t thrilled with her, but when the overall movie can make me forget the fact that I don’t like a specific actor, and truly appreciate the total entertainment experience, it’s something to smile about.
The story is complex, intelligent, fast-paced, yet easily taken in by non-geeks. Enough references to the true comic, alternate comic, and TV show, that everyone has something recognizable. I loved the cameo with [ Lou Ferrigno ], and especially that they had him do the voice over work. I would like to think that if he were still alive that [ Bill Bixby ] would have found a small role in the movie as well. I also appreciated the [ Stan Lee ] appearance that is the mark of every Marvel movie.
The action in the movie was well spaced and kept the movie going, and the CGI was not overused and kept the Hulk “real” which was one of my major complaints about the 2003 version. I loved the “personality” that the Hulk had and especially the struggle for control. I also LOVED the addition of the Hulks “super powers” such as the Hulk Clap, and the Hulk Smash.
Lastly, the addition of Tony Stark at the end was fantastic. I love that they are setting up the Avengers movie, and that Hulk will have his place there.
Overall, I will definitely spend the cash to see this in the theater a few more times, and it will join my DVD collection as soon as it is released.
