I purposely bypassed the original 2003 version “Hulk” not because I share the universe’s animosity towards Ang Lee’s ambitious, but underwhelming 2003 film, but because Marvel Studios would prefer it that way!
Let me divulge a little background. Following the hugely successful “SpiderMan” (2002), Universal set its sights on the famous comic book reiteration of the Jekyll/Hyde formula. “The Hulk” grossed a pleasing opening weekend, but tumbled famously hard in the weeks that followed due to poor word-of-mouth. Plans for a sequel were squandered and the green giant sat dormant for five years. Marvel decided to “re-imagine” the character as part of their diabolically plan to control Hollywood.
The entire character roster was recast. Bruce Banner, who was initially portrayed by Eric Bana was replaced by Edward Norton; Jennifer Connolly, his initial love interest was taken over by Liv Tyler, and Sam Elliot, the army general obsessed with destroying the Hulk was now being played by William Hurt.
Perhaps the largest complaint of the Ang Lee version was its long, boring spats and artistic liberties. To remedy this, Marvel selected Louis Leterrier, famous for his adrenaline-loving “Transporter” films, was hired for his obvious ability to rev up the action lacking in the original.
Rather than re-explain Hulk’s origins, the filmmakers settled for a quick back story opening credit sequence that truly establishes the new “Hulk” as a new film and not a sequel. The film opens with Bruce Banner (Norton) hiding in South America. While making ends meet as a factory worker, Bruce uses every spare second to research a cure to his Hulkiness and while studying meditation techniques to keep his anger in check. Naturally, the military eventually finds him and begins to pursue, leading Banner back to America to reunite with love-interest and fellow scientist, Betty Ross (Tyler).
The film starts off nicely, focusing on Banner’s obsession to keep his emotions under control to prevent transforming into the unpredictable and unstoppable beast of destruction. Norton is decent throughout the film, but he’s no where near as compelling as Downey was as Tony Stark. This is Understandable considering the nature of each character’s personalities and situation. Stark is a billionaire, egomaniac. Banner is just a nerd on the run. But the narrative disallows Norton–a great actor–to become animated, which seems like a waste.
When Banner returns to the US and reunites with Betty, the chemistry is lacking and the connections are forced. Ironically, “The Incredible Hulk” remains fixated on correcting the wrongs of the 2003 version, but the only means of identifying a back story for the two leads would require the audience to reflect on the original film with Bana and Connelly.
Unfortunately, Betty and Bruce spend most of the movie running and hiding from the military. Their dialog is mostly reserved for their next plan of action and they are disallowed to engage in any real moments of conversation and connection. There are sparkles of romantic intrigue. During a night when they are alone, sexual tension heats up, but Bruce eventually refuses to avoid risk of transforming. The film unfortunately doesn’t go much deeper and explore this lack of intimacy. Another rare moment occurs when Betty and Bruce head to New York to meet the one scientist who may have a cure. They take a cab–a mistake for someone who doesn’t want to become excited. The speedy ride ends with an irate Betty berating the cab driver as he peels away. Bruce, still calm, approaches Betty with some techniques to help her with her anger. These funny and touching human moments are lacking when compared to “Iron Man”. Edward Norton was deeply involved in the production of “Hulk” and even contributed to the script, but you wouldn’t be able tell by his performance or the dialog. The objective of the “Incredible Hulk” is to move at a brisk pace and keep the action sequences coming.
Another issue with the “Hulk” is…well…the Hulk. In contrast to the other characters of the Avengers stable, the Hulk is a single-minded, computer-generated behemoth with no real purpose but to smash things. The special effects of “Hulk” are an improvement over the prior installment, but the character, himself, is just not very interesting. Most of his scenes require him to scream, grimace, run, and smash. There is one segment in which the Hulk is alone with Betty, but the sequence is just as unemotional as the earlier film. The Hulk and Betty just don’t work as a couple.
“The Incredible Hulk” has a main antagonist, Emil Blonsky, a member of the Hurt’s elite force sent to destroy Hulk. When the first plan fails, Blonsky is recruited to taste a portion of the same substance that transferred Banner in the first place. Blonsky begins to mold into a superhuman, but is still no match for the Hulk and continues to take more of the drug. He becomes addicted eventually defies his command and consumes a lot more until he becomes an even stronger version of the Hulk creature: Abomination.
After the military fails to slow Abomination down, they reluctantly permit Banner to transform into the Hulk in order to stop him. The two beasts combat in a fun, but cartoony rampage throughout Harlem. Close-ups reveal the imperfections in the animation and some of the CGI just looks just plain silly.
The intensity of the action is also abated by the lack of ground rules. I honestly couldn’t understand the limits to the creatures power and vulnerability. Flames and grenades do not scathe their flesh, but miniguns cause both creatures to recoil.
Regardless of the limits of CGI and unestablished logic, “The Incredible Hulk” remains B-movie fun. Norton, although no where near as compelling as Downey, still manages with a competent performance. The action sequences are amusing, but the substance is lacking. Inevitably, “The Incredible Hulk” pales in comparison the “Iron Man” in almost every way. Although the film managed to space itself from the 2003 Ang Lee failure, the second installment did not eclipse the prior installment’s box office and plans for another Hulk were never mentioned.
Thankfully, Tony Stark makes a cameo during the film’s conclusion to drop a hint that Hulk’s next tale would be reserved for the Avengers. It is a good move. Hulk may not make a great leading man, but he will be sure fun to watch when he’s smashing things alongside Iron Man.
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