Incredible Hulk [Blu-ray]

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1. Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker"

   April 17, 2011 at 7:03 am

   32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

   
   The new Hulk film was well made for a number of reasons, September 8, 2008

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   Jenny J.J.I. “A New Yorker” (That Lives in Carolinas) –
     

     

   This review is from: The Incredible Hulk (Widescreen Edition) (DVD)

   This re-imagining of the green Goliath works far better than Ang Lee’s 2003 outing that’s for sure. Being an avid admirer of the Bixby/Ferrigno series in the late seventies and early eighties I found this film to be closer in spirit to the series and I definitely liked that.

   The Hulk’s origins are played out at the very beginning and once that’s over and done with audiences are in for a fast paced and enjoyable ride. The film attempts to keep people who liked the series happy as well as the crowd who want it firmly rooted in Marvel tradition. The Hulk battles a foe called The Abomination in the final third, and by the way that fight is pretty amazing, and I gather that that’s a person to be found in the original comics.

   While Eric Bana was one of the few things that was positive about Hulk (2003), Norton betters him here. He’s such a natural performer and he can convey so much with mere expressions. He was the perfect choice to play Banner, in some ways he reminded me of Bixby. Tim Roth is one of those actors who’s always good and he doesn’t falter here. But William Hurt really surprised me. I’ve always thought he was good but I’d have to say this is his finest performance in many years. General Ross is a much better written character here than in the 2003 version and Hurt simply excels in the part.

   As for the CGI, they work really well. The Hulk looks extremely cool and far better here. He doesn’t continue to grow as he gets angrier and while that may annoy some I actually found it a plus. And those huge leaps are history as well, he jumps far enough but nothing compared to Ang Lee’s version.

   The Incredible Hulk does well what it intends to do which is entertain. Overall it’s full of action, very well acted and fairly well written. Must See!

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2. Woopak "The THRILL"

   April 17, 2011 at 5:45 am

   58 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

   
   Old JADE-JAWS is Better Than Ever!, June 19, 2008

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   Woopak “The THRILL” (Where Dark Asian Knights Dwell) –
     

     

   “THE MADDER HULK GETS, THE STRONGER HE GETS”. Apparently, ol’ Jade-Jaws has been rebooted for the screen under the moniker; “Incredible Hulk” with a new director; Louis Letterrier, a new script by Zack Penn and has a new lead actor in Edward Norton. To be honest, I’m one of the few who appreciated Ang Lee’s “Hulk”, appreciated but didn’t love. Sure, it was too moody, nary a smile on anyone’s face, full of human angst and fake looking CGI, but I thought it was reminiscent to the comic book when Paul Jenkins was at its helm. 2008’s version of the Green Goliath trumps the 2003 version, with a different origin, more action and the CGI is a vast improvement over its predecessor. No, it is not a sequel to the 2003 film but a re-imagining that has close links to the “Hulk” (except for the color) who appears in Marvels’ “The Ultimates” comic book.

   Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is hiding out somewhere in South America, looking for a cure for his gamma-induced affliction, trying to keep his temper in check, keeping a low profile and avoiding a certain General Ross (William Hurt) who intends to make an army of super-soldiers from his own D.N.A.. After being pursued by a team led by Emil Blonsky (Eli Roth), Banner returns to America to pursue a cure and asks longtime love Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) for her help in finding a man named “Mr. Blue” who may be able to cure him of his gamma-powered alter-ego. Blonsky is hot on their trail and asks Ross to experiment further with the workings of gamma radiation and cellular manipulation with him as the guinea pig. Blonsky is a man who wants power–at any cost.

   The origin of the Hulk has been re-written from its 2003 version. Banner is a scientist who is unknowingly performing experiments on gamma applications to try to replicate a serum based on a World War II super-soldier serum (Captain America anyone?) that apparently got out of hand. Ross wants it as a weapon (no surprise) and Banner is the victim. Readers of Marvel’s “the ULTIMATES” may see some similarities and may applaud this move. It was a good move to incorporate a new script to this 2008 film and Louis Letterrier seems to be the right man for its directorial duties. The script by Zack Penn in the hands of this director still has the usual touches of human drama and a moody atmosphere but at a better pace than Lee’s rendition of ol’greenskin.

   The CGI effects is a step forward from its previous incarnation; an improvement but still not perfect. The Hulk looks more ferocious and feral than the 2003 version and the moments where he says “Hulk Smash” still puts a smile on my place. I was waiting on the line “Hulk is the Strongest one there is” but I guess this would ruin the film’s mood, and become a bit too comical. The battle with the Abomination is the film’s main draw. The fight is fierce, savage and above all, very hard-hitting. You feel the impact of the blows, and the snarls add a lot of animal-like ferocity. There is also quite a decent number of action sequences dispersed throughout the film. Banner’s encounters with a Black-ops team in the first 20 minutes and with a small army contingent helps the film’s pace. Hulk smashes cars, humvees, and crushes almost everything in sight; Hulk also “claps” with such devastation. There are also moments that put Hulk’s relationship with Betty in the spotlight and the savage monster is truly only savage when provoked. Hulk gets to display some emotion and sensitivity in the presence of Betty. Nice touches, truly reminiscent of the comic book.

   Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner may well be a little underdeveloped but by now, the film is probably relying on the fans to know what he is all about. Banner has that nerdy look but at the same time, strong and determined. Banner trains in the Brazilian style martial arts to try to control his anger by discipline. I almost wanted him to say: “Hulk knows Kung fu” but thankfully that didn’t materialize. Norton gives a strong performance as our tortured scientist, I rather thought that he displayed the right emotions when one is afraid of losing himself. William Hurt is an outstanding General “Thunderbolt” Ross, his character is reminiscent of the other ruthless ones, Hurt has played throughout his career. Ross is a man of duty and has that `someone needs to get their hands dirty’ attitude that gives his character a lot of depth. Liv Tyler is on par with Jennifer Connelly’s Betty Ross. She’s the anchor that pulls Bruce through the hardened moments.

   While the film has the tendency in becoming a bit overlong and fall to the pitfalls of too much melodrama and excessive display of human angst, the film has some cleverly placed bits of satire that assists the film’s pace. You wouldn’t believe Banner’s attempts in communication in Portuguese; “..you wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.” Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno makes cameo appearances which also add some subtle bits of humor…

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