HULK Gets Angry in THE INCREDIBLE HULK(2008).
© Universal Pictures/Marvel Studios
Mean and Green: Comicscape Reviews The Incredible Hulk
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Marvel Studios and Universal’s The Incredible Hulk premiered last Friday to generally positive reviews, along with box office success to the tune of $55.4 million in weekend grosses. The film represents the second attempt at launching a franchise featuring Bruce Banner and his larger, greener alter-ego. Five years ago, Marvel and Universal released director Ang Lee’s Hulk. Though the film won initial critical acclaim and healthy box office returns, it quickly dropped in terms of revenue and popular opinion. Lee’s treatment emphasized Banner’s tormented psyche and his relationship with his imbalanced father. Though it featured its share of visceral Hulk-smash action, critics and fans described it with terms like “art house” and “brooding.” Fans largely remember the first film as emphasizing exposition over action, and as a grand missed opportunity. Predictably enough, this columnist enjoyed the film very much. With the new film, Marvel Studios and director Louis Leterrier have produced a movie that is, in its own way, a response to many of the criticisms aimed at Hulk. The Incredible Hulk features more action sequences, more visual effects, and a condensed take on the character’s familiar origins. For the most part, though, the film strikes a pleasing balance between the measured, brooding tone of Lee’s film and a typical special effects blockbuster. Before we move forward with this week’s Comicscape, Maniacs, know that there are major spoilers below.
For all of the talk about more smashing and more fun, Edward Norton’s take on Bruce Banner retains the loneliness and desperation of a man on the outside of society—one infected with the worst disease imaginable. The film opens with a condensed version of the character’s origin, though it owes more to the television show featuring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrango, who makes a cameo in the film as a security guard and provides a voice for the Hulk’s few words. Banner lives in Brazil, working a horrible job at a soda bottling plant. He struggles to learn Portuguese, cure his illness, and control his anger, with only a dog for company. Much like the television program, the film features more of a “man on the run” story. When the team headed by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth)—a power mad British Royal Marine on loan to S.H.I.E.L.D. and General Ross (William Hurt)—chases Banner out of Brazil, he sets out for the United States alone, living on the generosity of an old friend or two, including Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). The two reunited lovers spend the rest of the film on the road, trying to reach Banner’s internet associate, Mr. Blue, who has researched the Hulk from afar and may have found a cure. But, neither Gen. Ross nor Blonsky want the Hulk to leave Banner. Ross wants the monster for a weapon, and Blonsky wants revenge after two catastrophic defeats—ones suffered even with the help of a modified version of the Super-Soldier serum in his veins. Blonsky’s lust for power and victory may push him over the edge and turn him into something abominable—something that may place Banner on the same side as Ross.
The Incredible Hulk deserves praise for correcting a longstanding problem of so many superhero films: the origin. Many films intended to launch a franchise struggle with establishing the hero’s powers and then intertwining that story with a challenge from a super-villain. The result often means heavy exposition followed by half of a film. A hero’s origin can easily be imparted in a series of flashbacks. The Incredible Hulk does just that, and gives the audience enough to understand what follows. Banner’s lab accident is shown, followed by the Hulk’s first appearance, and the aftermath thereof. Banner is forced to flee, leaving Betty Ross behind, with her father, Gen. Ross, in pursuit. A few newspaper headlines flash across the screen about Hulk sightings, and then the film shows Banner in Brazil. Everything’s taken care of, and anyone with half a wit knows how he got there. More superhero films should adopt this tactic. Once the film begins, it treats comic fans and filmgoers alike with engaging performances from its cast, particularly Norton, who conveys Banner’s internal struggle well. For all of the talk of this fixing Ang Lee’s psychological thriller with a popcorn flick, it maintains much of the same spirit through Norton’s portrayal. William Hurt turns in a good performance as the amoral Gen. Ross. Though the film initially posits Ross as the antagonist, his humanity shines through in his concern for his daughter. And, ultimately, his flexibility as a character shows more clearly when he and Banner find themselves united against Blonsky as the Abomination.
Fans will love the use of the Marvel Universe itself as the setting of the film. The presence of S.H.I.E.L.D., the mention of the Super-Soldier serum, and Tony Stark’s cameo show that Marvel has begun building a cinematic continuity inspired by that its comics. It’s a Maniac’s dream, to be sure. Granted, it almost owes more to the Ultimate Marvel universe—particularly Mark Millar’s work on The Ultimates—but it should rivet fans accustomed to standalone comic book movies. And, like a Marvel comic book, the film holds back very little in the way of action. Though the Hulk himself still looks a bit artificial, it’s still a lot of fun to watch the character fighting the Abomination through the streets of Harlem. This Hulk smashes real good-like. But, the film never loses sight of its main theme—that of transition. We see the beginnings of the Hulk’s move from monster to hero. The ending suggests Banner’s increased control over his alter-ego, as he responds to Betty Ross’s pleas to spare the Abomination’s life. Gen. Ross even moves from nemesis to something more complex, as he must rely on the Hulk to save the city. Sometimes shades of grey must unite against true darkness. Blonsky progressively transforms from man to something terrible—beginning as a moral abomination of sorts, and ending as a literal one. And, it’s all very appropriate, as the Hulk will no doubt be a part of the Avengers for the film coming in 2011.
But, The Incredible Hulk is not without its shortcomings. Tim Roth portrays Blonsky as Generic British Badass. The film defines the character through his love of combat and his lust for power. But, he lacks the complexity of Ian McKellan as Magneto from X-Men, or William Defoe as Norman Osborne from Spider-Man. Blonsky just wants more strength, more speed, and more power so that he kicks more ass because he likes it. His final transition into the Abomination is incredibly abrupt and unlikely. He manages to convince the unbalanced Dr. Samuel Stern—foreshadowed as the Leader for future installments—to subject him to a dose of gamma radiation. That’s all well and good, except that he does so after a raid on the lab, when he happens to have a few minutes alone with the Doctor. One would think that S.H.I.E.L.D. would do a better job locking down the facility and taking everyone into custody. It feels like the film didn’t finish the story of Banner’s escape and capture by Ross before diving into the end-fight. That may be the case, given reports of an additional 70 minutes missing from the final cut of the film. One can only hope that the footage ends up on the DVD, rather than as a rumored director’s cut that languishes for years unseen.
Overall, The Incredible Hulk proves well worth the wait. Rather than “one-upping” Ang Lee’s film, it serves as another vision of a similar story. It features strong performances that maintain the story’s essential humanity among the effects-heavy action sequences. It also furthers Marvel Studios’ move to create continuity among its films. The company did the right thing in bringing its own properties to the movies. If Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk are any indication, Marvel’s movies may have gotten back on track.
By Ben Johnson and Kurt Amacker
Aliens Omnibus TP Vol 04 $24.95
Conan Born On The Battlefield SC $17.95
Grendel Behold The Devil #8 (Of 8) $3.50
Star Wars Knights Of Old Republic #30 Exalted Part 2 (Of 2) $2.99
Star Wars Legacy TP Vol 03 $17.95
Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite TP $17.95
Batman And The Outsiders #8 $2.99
Ben:Ponyboy and Johnny finally get a chance to prove their metal.
Kurt: Metal like Darkthrone, or metal like Disturbed? Seriously, let’s not f—k around about this.
Brave And The Bold #14 $2.99
Casey Blue Beyond Tomorrow #2 (Of 6) $2.99
DC Special Cyborg #2 (Of 5) $2.99
DC Wildstorm Dreamwar #3 (Of 6) $2.99
From Eroica With Love Vol 13 $9.99
Green Lantern HC Vol 02 The Sinestro Corps War $24.99
Kurt: And rightfully so. It’s a good series.
Kurt: The next time I review a comic with Power Girl in it, I’m going to say “one of the most interesting racks in the story.” I’m clever like that. Yeah.
Shadowpact TP Vol 03 Darkness And Light $14.99
Showcase Presents The Flash TP Vol 02 $16.99
Tangent Supermans Reign #4 (Of 12) $2.99
Teen Titans Year One #5 (Of 6) $2.99
Kurt: Comes with a coupon for a free two-liter of Mountain Dew with your next order of a large one-topping pie.
Worlds Finest Deluxe Edition HC $29.99
Kurt: This doesn’t take place in Bizarro World.
Y The Last Man TP Vol 10 Whys And Wherefores (MR) $14.99
Bomb Queen V #2 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
Kurt: And Ben takes the high road and avoids a toilet paper joke. This is a first, Maniacs.
Dynamo 5 TP Vol 02 Moments Of Truth $14.99
First Born Aftermath (One Shot) $3.99
Ben:It is very difficult for me to imagine people are actually reading this.
Kurt: I said something like that about your first born, too.
Ben:Please do. At least we wouldn’t have to put up with you little bastards anymore.
Kurt: It’s nice that you make fun of your own status as a parent, instead of making me do it for you.
Pilot Season Genius #1 $3.99
PVP TP Vol 05 PVP Treks On $14.99
Kurt: First you complain about your own kid, and now you want another one. What gives?
Amazing Spider-Man #563 $2.99
American Dream #4 (Of 5) $2.99
Anita Blake VH Guilty Pleasures #12 (Of 12) $2.99
Astonishing X-Men TP Vol 04 Unstoppable $19.99
Captain Britain And MI 13 #1 2nd Ptg Kirk Var $2.99
Eternals By Neil Gaiman TP $24.99
Ben:Somewhat interesting story written by an industry newcomer.
Kurt: Yeah, no kidding, right? This guy just came out of nowhere.
Kurt: Isn’t this written by the guy that does Scalped?
Guardians Of Galaxy #1 2nd Ptg Pelletier Var $2.99
Guardians Of Galaxy #2 $2.99
Hulk WWH TP Damage Control $12.99
Incredible Hercules #118 SI $2.99
Iron Man Director Of Shield #30 $2.99
Jack Kirbys Galactic Bounty Hunters TP Vol 01 $19.99
Kick Ass #1 Directors Cut (MR) $3.99
Ben:Wow. A nine year old cut a gangbangers head in half sideways. This sh-t rocks!
Kurt: I have to admit, this is pretty damn good.
Marvel Adventures Avengers #25 $2.99
Marvel Adventures Avengers TP Vol 06 Mighty Digest $7.99
Kurt: What you’ll do after a night at the all-you-can-eat rib shack.
Marvel Adventures Two-In-One #12 $4.99
Kurt: What you will likely watch after your wife goes to bed.
Marvel Illustrated Iliad #7 (Of 8) $2.99
MMW Sgt Fury HC Vol 02 $54.99
Kurt: Let me bang an old drum—how about an Essential Nick Fury?
MMW Sgt Fury HC Vol 02 Var Ed Vol 97 $54.99
Kurt: You can’t see it, but I am raising the horns high.
Secret Invasion Fantastic Four #2 (Of 3) SI $2.99
Kurt: You can’t see it, but I am pointing my thumb down.
Kurt: In the superhero-as-serial-killer subgenre…
Thor Ages Of Thunder 2nd Ptg Zircher Var (Pp #818) $3.99
Ultimate Fantastic Four #55 $2.99
Ultimate Fantastic Four TP Vol 10 Ghosts $15.99
Ultimates 3 March On Ultimatum Must-Have (Pp #818) $4.99
Kurt: What about…a refund!? Wah-wah-waaaaaaah…
War Is Hell First Flight Phantom Eagle Max #4 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99
Kurt: Next month, look for War is Fun starring that a—hole at the end of the sports bar.
Kurt: I’ve got my Iron Maiden CD ready, my copy of the Satanic Bible, and my pull-list updated. I’ll be rocking in 2058 like a sumb-tch!
Wolverine #66 Turner Sketch Var $2.99
Kurt: I got pulled over at 3:00 a.m. last Saturday for a DWS. Sucked, I tell you.
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.
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I liked both Hulk movies. The more recent one feels more like a comic book to me.