The Incredible Hulk (trifecta part III)

The third movie that I watched over the weekend was The Incredible Hulk. I’ll say this…this will definitey be a more crowd-pleasing movie than the Ang Lee version--that only came out five years ago. I think I was the only person who actually liked Lee’s version (although maybe not). I just really liked his psychological take of Bruce Banner and the Hulk. I think he took a big chance in doing a super hero movie that wasn’t the standard take. Granted Nick Nolte’s performance was completely over-the-top but with that aside Lee really captured a Freudian analysis of the Hulk. In my estimation you can do the Hulk two ways—either the “smash’em up” version of the Hulk or you can get into the psyche of the Hulk in a Jekell/Hyde…Frankenstien…even a King Kong sort of that way. Obviously Lee’s version was that extreme while the new movie is more in the “Hulk Smash” sort of way.

All in all I did like this latest version as well. It’s entertaining and the CGI Hulk is much more convincing than Lee’s CGI version. Nothing against Eric Bana (who I happen to like most of the times) but Edward Norton is an upgrade. In a lot of ways this version of the Hulk is an extension of the television show. The origin is wrapped up in the opening credits (which really worked well—especially in the way it was filmed) and Banner is already on the run. They even use the “sad” music from the TV show at one point…which seemed very appropriate. The CGI fight scene at the end of the movie between the Hulk and Abomination (which justifiably had some people concerned) actually is pretty cool. It could have been completely out of hand but thankfully it wasn’t.

I think the movie would have worked better if it would have balanced both extremes of the Hulk character. It would have been nice to have the movie exist as something more than a summer popcorn action flick. What’s frustrating is that there were hints that the movie could have been deeper than it was. Certain scenes seemed trimmed just when they were getting interesting. What is also interesting is that Norton also contributed his talents to the script where I’m convinced that he probably added some substance to the script. As most people know Norton and Marvel had a little dust up over the final cut of the movie. Marvel wanted the most commercial version of the film (and after the Lee debacle—I can’t really blame him) while Norton wanted a more nuanced film (which is hard to argue against as well). It’s safe to say…that Marvel won. Consequently Norton has kept a low profile (almost non-existent) while the movie is being promoted. Although he did contribute a pretty funny short film via the Jimmy Kimmel show. To read a thorough examination of Norton vs. Marvel, click here.

If I were to give The Incredible Hulk a grade…it would be a solid B.