The film version of The Hulk is truly, truly dreadful. Save your money, wait for the DVD, where you can rent it and fast forward to the action sequences which are only so-so, but far better than the scenes leading up to them. The only way to like the Hulk is to (a) like and (b) identify with Bruce Banner before he's subjected to his "lethal dose of gamma radiation". There was nothing to like about any of the human characters, and the CGI Hulk was surprisingly phony looking (and acting).
The film sort of resembled King Kong meets Austin Powers, with its combination of goofy split screens and Andromeda Strain-like government lab deep underground in the middle of the desert (which could double as a pretty good set for the next James Bond or Austin Powers movie.) I know the split screens were supposed to create a comic book-like atmosphere, but instead, all they reminded me of was Austin Powers and the same 1960s films (such as The Thomas Crown Affair that it tried to parody.)
The Australian newcomer Eric Bana was a reasonably good blank cipher to play Bruce Banner. He's wasted in the role, but that's the director and screenwriter's fault, not his. Jennifer Connelly is wonderful eye-candy (if a bit anorexic looking), and Nick Nolte goofily chewed the scenery as Bruce's dad, David (the late Bill Bixby not able to take the part, alas). But what was the deal with Sam Elliot's moustache? It looked like the same strange Montgomery-like style that Michael Bates, the warden in A Clockwork Orange wore.
Actually, in a way Eric Bana is part of the problem: Michael Keaton was an established star by the time he first played Batman for Tim Burton. He had just come off Clean and Sober where he established that he can do more than blackout comedy and slapstick. Despite the dire warnings of the comic book crowd, because Keaton was a known and likable star, you identified with him as the tortured Bruce Wayne, and felt for his plight as an orphan--a man-child living alone (aside from his faithful butler) in an isolated mansion and wearing a silly costume at night
As I said, since there's no humanity to Bana's Banner, there's no reason to feel sympathetic towards the Hulk.
What Was With...?
And what was with the Hulk not killing anyone (other than the odd giant radioactive poodle, of course)? King Kong, whom the Hulk is clearly modeled after (with more than a touch of Frankenstein, of course), killed dozens of people in his 1933 debut--and yet everyone felt for the big lug when he was blasted off the top of the Empire State Building.
Article comments
1 - Joe Comeau
Your review is totally off base...the movie is Incredible...the Hulk could just sit on the toilet for 2 hours, or I could just watch Jennifer Connelly breath for 2 minutes and it would be movie of the year. Apart from that it definately was an amzingly well done film. Basically, YOU suck and the Hulk will hunt you down and kill YOU..how's that? P.S. Jennifer looked a bit anorexic? Perfect is more like it. What are you married to some fat slob?
2 - John Campea
While Joe's comments are a bit harsh (ok, extremley harsh) I have to agree with his basic point. The Hulk is a brilliant film. Take away the last 15 minutes with the fight against his father, and you have one of the best comic adaptation films ever made.
The visuals were top notch, better than anything else I've ever seen with a CG character in a live enviornent. Also, the story was much deeper and more "human" than i was expecting.
Overall I'd have to say this film far exceeded my expectations (which were pretty low). Rent it and enjoy it.
3 - Vanzee
I personally thought Hulk was three times the film Spider-Man was. I understand in today's society with movies like "2 Fast and 2 Furious," "The Matrix Reloaded," and "Jason vs. Freddy" getting top box office that the Hulk might be a little above some people's heads. Im glad I'm not one of those people.
4 - andy
I didn't see it yet. I was really looking forward to it, but man, he just looks way too fake. I will definately give it a chance now, but the CGI thing...they still don't look real. Gollum was the closest so far
5 - TDavid
I was one of those folks who was really looking forward to the Hulk. It was my favorite Marvel comic book as a kid followed closely by Iron Man and Fantastic Four.
However after seeing this film adaption, I thought of the film as just ok, giving it a C grade on my website. Hulk looked pretty cool and not as fake as the trailers made him look, but I'm from the camp that would rather of seen an actor in a body suit then full-on CGI.
Also, I was spoiled a bit by the fact that I actually liked the TV show with Bixby and Ferrigno (yes, I realize that was pretty cheesy, but it worked for me).
Why Ang Lee tried to make Masterpiece Theater out of Hulk is beyond me. He could have pared 15 minutes easily out of the beginning and given us the Hulk sooner.
Those who didn't like the TV show probably will enjoy this version more.
On a positive note, Hulk had some really cool parts like when the Hulk was fighting with those dogs. One problem was it took far too long to get to the Hulk initially and it sort of ended in the middle of nowhere (I guess Bana is signed on for 3 films, so we'll get a sequel most likely).
Better than Spiderman or X2? Not for me it wasn't, but I do believe that when this comes out on DVD it will be better because we'll get to see some of what Ang Lee reportedly "had to leave" on the cutting room floor.
Gotta love those extras!