Review: The Incredible Hulk
Just saw The Incredible Hulk this afternoon. I really enjoyed it. It seems that the super hero movies are really getting much, much better since Marvel decided to maintain control over the process. This is the Hulk — tortured by what he’s become, afraid to be around people, desperate to control the beast within, determined to rid himself of the beast, and hounded by a military that wants to control him/use him/replicate him.
If you’re a Hulk fan, this is the film to see. Previous movies have skipped over the many of the factors that have made the Hulk so popular. They’ve left out the pathos of being a person who can not control himself in certain situations. Banner, after the laboratory experiment that turned him into the Hulk, has been trying to find a cure. He’s built his life around finding a cure, keeping a low profiles and out of the sight of the government, and has been working on recognizing triggers that cause him to transform and controlling his emotions. He’s not just the cardboard cutout character that so many other films have made him out to be. There is depth and emotional underpinnings to this man. His life has been turned upside down and he can not longer afford to be who he was–a scientist with a life that included friends, a girlfriend, social interactions, and a future.
This is not the basic origin story movie. By the end of the credits the origin is over and we’re on to the story. Bruce Banner has managed to keep his beast leashed for 158 days. He’s learning techniques to control his emotional state and has a pulse reader that helps him keep track of his excitement or anxiety level. He’s corresponding with someone over the internet and working on a cure or serum to help him control the transformation into the Hulk. However, the US government hasn’t given up looking for him and they manage to find him. We’re off and running as he tries to escape, get the data he needs to help in finding a cure, and find another hiding place.
There’s lots of special effects. After all, who doesn’t love explosions, fights, and exciting battles on the big screen. All in all, the special effects while spectacular don’t drive the plot. The people drive the plot and cue the audience into the players in this drama. We learn from observation and interaction about the character and integrity of the other players in this story.
And for Hulk fans there’s a number of Easter Egg type moments. Many of the armaments are by Stark Industries. Lou Ferrigno has a minor part as a guard and is also the voice of the Hulk. Ferrigno was the original Hulk in the TV series. And so on and so on, I’m sure I missed a lot of other references. There were a couple that I was told about by some of the people we went to see the film with but I don’t remember them now — if you know of others let me know. [Hyperion: They played the theme music from the TV show during one portion. There are a couple of others, but to say them would be to spoil the moment in the movie.]
All in all, a good movie I’m glad I took the time to see on the big screen. But as usual, I think $8 for a matinée is a bit steep. I’d be much happier renting the DVD and viewing it at home for a lower cost. However, the big screen and the theater experience does have a certain atmosphere that is nice to be part of occasionally.