Saturday, June 14, 2008

'HULK' SMASHES, NOT ENOUGH BASHES

Quotable: “There are aspects of my personality that I can't control. And when I lose control, it's very dangerous to be around me.” Bruce Banner (Edward Norton)


Two words sum up the comic book adaption of one one of the most popular superheroes of all time, the Incredible Hulk…

HULK SMASH! (Yes! Been waiting to say that!)

The CGI infused second installment in the Hulk series started off slowly but delivered an action packed punch that gained the Marvel franchise and Hulk storyline a new audience without alienating long time fans. The story picked up where the first Hulk left off, with Dr. Bruce Banner (Ed Norton, previously portrayed by Eric Bana) now a fugitive on the run from the U.S. Army led by cigar smoking, non-chalant, General Ross (William Hurt) sworn to capture him at any costs to harness the power within as the ultimate weapon for their own selfish gain. Searching for a cure to rid him of his primal green counterpart, Banner fights off soldiers, bullets, his love for Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and an enemy equally as menacing, the Abomination (Tim Roth).

Hulk is a classic struggle of the rage that lurks within us all ready to spin us out of control. For most of us it’s contained or kept in check by our own accord or even with the help of loved ones, a hobby, meditation, or some other method that helps us to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Though there is heart pounding action in the form of chase scenes and a tug of war between Hulk and the Army as well as a showdown of epic proportions featuring Hulk and The Abomination, the movie does little else to thrill and at times babbles more than Tom Cruise proclaiming his love for Scientology. Edward Norton does a good job of depicting the torment that riddles Banner and voluntarily confines him to a life of solitude at the expense of being happy. The chemistry between him and Betty is undeniable and not only is it his voice of reason but it keeps alive on quite a few occasions yet also keeps him determined to remain on the run. When the promise of a cure and the discovery of his Brazilian location after a bottling plant incident where he freelances as a factory worker forces him out of hiding, Bruce must test his restraint and push his limits or risk losing control forever. Tim Roth plays a British soldier Emil Blonsky enlisted by General Ross whose awe of Hulk’s rage and his own greedy lust for power ultimately transform him into one of Hulk’s famed nemesis’, The Abomination, a creature of pure adrenaline and aggression.


“As Banner, Norton gives a strong performance. Like “Iron Man’s” Robert Downey Jr., Norton is a former Oscar nominee who brings a wealth of talent to a role one normally wouldn’t consider him for…”

A welcome change from the Ang Lee directed disaster in 2005, the 2008 Incredible Hulk directed by transports me back to the Sunday mornings while getting dressed for church, when my guilty pleasure was watching the animated Hulk engrossed in his signature smashing and bashing. )? While Hulk got a much needed human upgrade, making his character more relatable than his movie predecessor, there was still something missing you “can’t quite put your finger on.” Could it be that sense of morale and social responsibility that was present in ‘Iron Man’? Or could it be the vengeance that drives Batman pre Kilmer (Michael Keaton, Batman) and post Clooney (Christian Bale, Batman Begins)? No wait! Maybe is it the ability to go from ordinary to extraordinary like in Spiderman or better yet the struggle for equality being social outcasts that X-Men represents. The special effects that transformed the medium build David Banner of modest stature into the 8-10 ft tall, green-eyed, muscle ripped, towering Hulk were certainly impressive yet more realistic this go round. His skin was less rubbery and besides the hair color, his height-weight proportions were more on point.

Three things Hulk shares in common with these other super heroes and summer blockbusters however is its fun factor, popularity and high yielding box office revenue. The opening weekend box office racked in $55,414,050 planting it firmly in the #1 box office slot. Since smashing its way on the scene, The Incredible Hulk has racked in $66,226,305 (domestic); $30,766,138 (foreign) with a worldwide gross of $96,992,443.

As the second movie financed and produced by Marvel Studios, Hulk fans disappointed in Lee’s version will be pleasantly satisfied by the action in 2008’s Incredible Hulk. Add a little dash of nostalgia provided by a voiceover from The Incredible Hulk TV series star, Louis Ferragno (Hulk Smash!), a cameo by a reprised Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and you got a green, environmentally friendly (tree bashing and city pummeling were largely done in CGI) superhero movie to tie you over until Hellboy2: The Golden Army(Coming July 11th) and most notably, the long anticipated The Dark Knight (Coming July 18th.)

Hulk In Theaters Now!

2008 Incredible Hulk Trailer



Visit the Incredible Hulk Online
http://increbilehulk.marvel.com

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Change of medium build and moderate body of David flag is 8-10 feet tall, green eyes, muscle tear of the special effects, of course, the tall green giant's impressive, but more realistic to go round. His skin gel, in addition to hair color, his height, weight ratio of more points, respectively.

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