Hulk (2003)

When the Hulk gets angry, his movie gets good, so you wish he'd get angry more often. Accepting this challenge after the triumphant Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, director Ang Lee has created an ambitious film, based on the Marvel comic created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, that succeeds as a cautionary tale about mad science and traumatized children coping with legacies of pain. That's the Hulk's problem: After accidental exposure to gamma radiation, scientist Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) turns into the huge, green, and indestructible Hulk when provoked, and repressed childhood memories fuel his fury. Hobbled by the obligatory "origin story" (to acquaint neophytes with the character's Jekyll-and-Hyde-ish fate), there's room for little else in a sluggish film that struggles to reconcile Lee's stylistic flair (evident in his visual interpretation of comic-book technique) with the razzle-dazzle of a megabudget franchise. What's good is good (Jennifer Connelly essentially echoes her role from A Beautiful Mind, and Nick Nolte is righteously tormented as Banner's father), but the movie's schizoid intentions remain largely unclear. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

CHARACTER DRIVEN FILM DESERVES CREDIT

HULK

People hate this film and honestly I don't know why, seriously I have no clue what the problem is. I will agree that this movie is not a classic but I really feel like every time I see it I have watched a truly entertaining film. I think this film is a lot like the comics or at least a lot like some versions of the comics, and it is really a great story. I think that this film has a lot of heart which is unusual for this type of film, most comic adaptations are action based as were this one seems more character driven. This film was not given the credit it deserved and neither did the cast or crew.

Bruce Banner is a young researcher that is not only in love with his fellow co worker but is also drawn to studying gamma radiation. Of course every one knows that an accident happens at the lab that exposes him to those rays and when those rays mesh with the present inside his body that his long lost father left him, well he turns green. From here we have a whole story that involves love, a father who only wants to use his "experiment" I mean son, and the military. All of this put together makes for one interesting film, a lot better then I thought it would be. Plus the battle at the end is cool and that is always a plus.

Director Ang Lee who is a wonderful filmmaker did a marvelous job with this film, he turned what could have been just your basic comic movie into a more dramatic tale of tragedy. His direction in this film can be felt all through out the finished product and I really think that he was the perfect choice for this film. Credit of course should also go to writers James Schamus, John Turman, and Michael France who really did something unexpected with this film. This movie is a real emotional based story that relies more on the characters then the action, those three should be complimented for penning this. Frederick Elmes shot this film masterfully and Tim Squyres's editing is flawless, every one should be commended. Eric Bana is completely believable as Bruce Banner and does a real good job with this part, lot of people said this part should have went to some one else. Jennifer Connelly portrays Betty Ross extremely well and I don't think any one would disagree with me on that. Sam Elliott, Josh Lucas, and Cara Buono all are good in this film as well and each of them really make this film all the more entertaining. But it is Nick Nolte in my opinion who really steals the show on this one as Bruce's long lost father who is extremely obsessed with continuing his work. So much so that he doesn't even care about his own son although it seems that he does for a while. In fact it is the dynamic between him and Eric Bana that really make this film, very emotional between these two.

Of course not every thing about this film is great, there are a few things that keep this from being a classic. I think the main thing that brings this film down a little in many peoples minds is the length. This is actually a fairly long film that at times feels like it is dragging, so I can understand that. I think because this was more character driven and played on the emotion of the characters a lot it tended to let everything play out a bit slowly. Another thing is that the CGI in this film is not exactly the greatest ever, in fact the Hulk looks more cartoonish at times then intimidating.

Still even with those flaws I still think that this was a good movie, much better then most people give it credit for. Who knows maybe because so many others hated it I liked it, but I did.

Also this film has some great special features including a nice commentary by Ang Lee September 19, 2008

My expecations were met

A lot of the ealry reviews had been complaining about the CGI work in The Hulk and now that movie has come out more people are complaining about how boring the movie is. I'll admit when I first find out they were making a Hulk movie I had my resverastions as soon as I found out there would no classic Marvel villain other than General Ross in the film, I would have loved to see Charles Dance or Alan Ruck play The Leader. So on opening day I mainly went to see the movie to see what Mr. Ang Lee could do with the direction and I was impressed. Lee's editing and split screen transations and wipes give the film a real comic book affect which is why the film impressed me so much. Eric Bana whose carrer I haven't really followed does well as Bruce Banner as do the always good Jennifer Connely and Sam Eillot. I think in the acting department though the film belongs to Nick Nolte as Bruce's father. I don't really see the film as a comic book movie for the fan boy but more of a thinking person's action movie which is a rarity this summer. I give the film *** stars. September 14, 2008

It should be called "Hulk Re-interpreted" - In a great way!

Yes I can see why die hard fans of comic book are upset. The change in story line origin, etc... And I can see why violence and action addicts would prefer another movie.

Well they can have it, I'm tired of so much violence. The Dark knight should have been R rated, comic book movies are geared for kids and they get worse and worse.

Granted The Dark knight is still good, I could have done with less violence.

That's not the case with Hulk. It has the right amount without going overboard and it has brains too. It's not just wham bam done! I like thinking movies and I'm a patient person. The payoff was great in this movie.

The Incredible Hulk with Ed was good too but I this one is much better. The Hulk is closer to the comic book style. Eric Bana was just as good as Ed, if not better because he's way sexier :-)

Ang Lee was much better as a director and the style of the movie (comic book look, split screens) was excellent.

I'm ok with both interpretations of the origin story. I wish they would make a sequel to Ang Lee's version actually. I think it was smarter. August 5, 2008

Hulk

One of the most awesome pictures I've ever seen in HD or Blu-Ray format.The picture is pristine and the colors perfect. And also the Amazon service excellent. Thanks. July 24, 2008

Puny Movie!

When David Banner (Paul Kersey) hits a road block with his experiments, he begins experimenting on himself. Unfortunately, his altered DNA transitions to his new son, Bruce as well. When things go wrong on the military base where he works, he is arrested and Bruce is sent to a foster home.

Fast forward 30 years, and we find Bruce (Eric Bana) working with Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly). They are experimenting with gamma rays, hoping to prove that they can be used to help the human body heal. But then Bruce is exposed to an unusually high dose. He soon discovers that when he gets angry, he turns into a big green monster.

Naturally, this catches the attention of people. Specifically, Betty's estranged father, General Ross (Sam Elliot), wants to destroy The Hulk. And there's the mysterious man who claims to be David (now played by Nick Nolte) who wants to duplicate the process. Will Bruce get his wish to be left alone?

I know I called this a puny movie in the title, but in reality, it isn't all bad. The underlying story is interesting and emotionally engaging. Most of the acting is good, especially Jennifer Connelly who was amazing as Betty. The special effects weren't perfect, but they worked. And I really enjoyed the split screens used at times to simulate the comic book look.

On the other hand, the pacing of the story was off. The back story involving David provided some nice emotional moments but slowed things down. And the fight scenes in the second half went on too long. Cutting out half an hour from these sections would have made a much better movie. Nick Nolte was too out there in his acting as the aged David. Every time he was around, I was annoyed.

I'd had several friends warn me away from the movie. It wasn't as bad as they said. But it wasn't that good either. July 16, 2008

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