The Incredible Reboot
It seems like not too long ago the world was given Hulk, a film crafted by future Academy Award winning director Ang Lee. The movie was all business and created uproar among the true believers of the Hulk. Where was all the action? Where was a sense of humor?
Such were the cries levied against a plodding, character driven film. So when Marvel Studios announced that it would be revisiting the Hulk with the director of The Transporter at the helm, much skepticism was warranted. So, after 5 years since Hulk left audiences disappointed, does The Incredible Hulk save the franchise?
A Pleasant Surprise
Should you follow the internet rambling about how a film is being developed, you would have read about certain behind the scenes issues regarding the direction of The Incredible Hulk. The biggest announcement regarding the film was the involvement of Edward Norton as both the star and a writer. Lots of hearsay exists regarding what happened, but someone wasn't happy and it was definitely the Hulk's star. While watching the film you will notice it is very sporadically edited.
Scenes jump from one to another and the film, while long, feels like a ride in a rickety roller coaster. The wild editing aside, what did make the theatrical cut actually goes a long way to working as a good action movie. The Hulk does indeed smash, yet he exhibits a modicum of intellect. The Hulk uses car tops as shields and boxing gloves. This Hulk definitely creates more chaos and shows off much more of the character's seemingly limitless strength. This does make for a faster paced and more interesting film than Ang Lee's plodding, if thoughtful, film.
Dr. Banner and Mr. Green
While many of the scenes that actually feature Mr. Norton wound up on the cutting room floor, what remains are still very strong. Norton does an outstanding job looking forlorn and cursed. The Bruce Banner of The Incredible Hulk wants nothing more than to not be what he is. He travels the world, avoiding a distrusting government and seeking every means possible to clean his blood and be rid of the monster that dwells within him.
Norton's Banner despises himself and his inability to exorcise his supposed curse. Edward Norton seems to have mastered looking tired and defeated. Such struggle provides a bit of character depth but one wonders how much of the intellectual side of the film was lost in the battle to edit the film for test audiences.
Sit Back and Relax, Enjoy the Show
Please do not attend this film seeking something deep or particularly extraordinary. The Incredible Hulk is an engaging and action packed film with generally passable computer effects and animation. Sit back, turn down the brain cells a bit, and watch Hulk smash. Just be entertained and don’t nitpick this film too much. Yes, it’s not Iron Man. It’s not Batman and Robin either.
The Incredible Hulk is generally well acted and fast paced. The film gives a lot of positive hints towards The Avengers. If Marvel can remain true to their properties and not play the Hollywood number crunching game, then audiences will continue to get great comic book films. Only time will tell. For now, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk offer a great one two punch that creates a lot of amazing potential for enjoyable films.
