Second time's a charm for the "Hulk"
4:03 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2008
Five years ago “The Incredible Hulk” was released to high expectations from long-time fans of the comic book, excited their hero was getting the big screen treatment. The movie was a hit in the first weekend of opening, then the bottom fell out that the film tanked the rest of the summer leading many to think Hulk would never see the big screen again.
The film had a talented director in Ang Lee, but fans turned it away because they didn't want a philosophical Hulk, they wanted everything that's made the comic book so successful for decades: Action, fighting, a little romance, cool characters with a little humor mixed in for good measure.
Now five years later, we get another attempt to get a movie about the Hulk correct, as far as the studio responsible for both Hulk films is now shrugging their shoulders and acting as if the first movie had never existed. In other words it’s like when you played ball in the backyard and you made an error you would tell your friends it was a do-over. That is what happening now with the new movie "The Incredible Hulk" as Universal Studios is getting a do-over, but this time they got it right. This is an exciting, action-packed, superhero romp that will and is satisfying previously disappointed fans.
Edward Norton takes the reigns as Dr. Bruce Banner, who at the beginning of the film is hiding in Brazil and trying to find a cure for what he's become. Soon a very cautious Banner is spotted by the military who want to capture him and study his condition so it can be turned into a powerful weapon for the military. While on the run with no cure in sight, Banner returns home to find some answers so he can at some point live a normal life and reunite with the love of his life Betty Ross (Liv Tyler).
"The Incredible Hulk" is an extremely well made summer blockbuster that is made better because of a definite upgrade in casting decisions and script writing. Norton is very good at playing conflicted characters as he's done in the past. And, he is terrific here. The talented actor also penned part of the script. It's a shame conflicts on the final cut of the film lead to Norton’s refusal to promote the film. He is the only cast member who didn't sign up for the upcoming second and third installments of the franchise.
I'm a fan of Tyler, and she is perfectly cast as the ever courageous and loyal Ross. There is great chemistry on screen between her and Norton that helps make this movie go. William Hurt is great as Betty's father, Gen. Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and the always underrated Tim Roth is terrific as he chews up each scene he's in and looks to be having the time of his life with this part.
The special effects are tremendous; the movie is fast paced and filled with edge-of-your-seat fight scenes that make this movie one of the real surprises so far in 2008. Hulk includes a great cameo at the end of the movie along with the normal Stan Lee sighting, a nice tribute to the late Bill Bixby along with a scene with Lou Ferrigno. This movie was a big risk, but in my opinion it’s paid off with one of the best most entertaining films of the summer and a nice gift to the loyal fans of the comic book who just wanted their hero to get the right treatment by Hollywood.
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