Hulk Smash!!!-The Incredible Hulk ( Spoiler Free Review)
In preparation to review this movie with respect to the live action television series of the same name and Ang Lee's Hulk from 2003, I watched both the series pilot and Lee's film. I went into the theater Sunday afternoon with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.
The movie basically jettisons the last film from the get go. This is a reboot, but one that works. From the beginning the viewer is emotionally drawn into the world of the movie. Iron Man did it better, but the effect is basically the same. You are there, and you are interested.
While Lee's movie is a psychologically complex and stylized tale, Louis Leterrier's movie is straight forward comic book action from start to finish. There is not the subtlety of the previous film. That's not necessarily a bad thing, in terms of reaching a mass audience.
What Leterrier does very well is to blend elements of the comic book and the television series seamlessly. If the television series had been placed in the world of the comic book, this is very much what it might have been like.
Ed Norton does a fantastic job as Bruce Banner. His Banner feels much like a combination of Bill Bixby's and Bruce Jones' Banner from the comic books. I loved Jones' run on the book and was thrilled to see elements of it find their way into the movie. Norton is a far cry from Eric Bana in the role. Bana played rage so well in the first movie that the performance continues to impress me viewing after viewing. Norton is a gentler everyman (if everyman were a genius) who is pushed to the limits due to his circumstances.
Liv Tyler inhabits the role of Betty Ross well. She plays Betty as beautiful, sweet, sensitive, and strong. She is a good choice to play opposite of Norton. The character is not as layered in this movie, but Tyler plays her well.
Tim Roth did well in his role, but I felt that the performance is not among his best. It's not bad, but I just felt that there was something missing.
William Hurt was the revelation of this film for me. Oh, I 've always known that Hurt is a brilliant actor, but once Sam Elliott plays a part, it is his. In this case, Hurt made me forget about Elliott. He perfectly embodies Thaddeus Ross in this movie in every way. His performance is my favorite in the film.
As for the movie itself, it is a very direct Hulk story, encompassing both comics and the television series in a way that fits perfectly. All the major points are hit and hit well.
The CGI still disappoints a bit in this movie. I think that we still have a way to go before we will see the perfect CG Hulk. It is still better than the last in some ways, and I am glad that the choice was made to keep the creature at a consistent height throughout the movie.
I absolutely love Ang Lee's film because it hits me on a lot of levels. However, it terms of a fun and enjoyable Hulk movie and as a part of Marvel's burgeoning interlinked movie franchise, Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk is a smashing success.