Banner escapes and heads home to seek the original data from his failed experiment, and to contact Mr. Blue, a scientist he is computer-chatting with, to help find a cure. Another showdown between General Ross and the Hulk on a college campus leaves Blonsky ailing near death, but amazingly quick to recover, and introduces the Hulk to the wonderful world of Internet buzz as he's captured on phone cameras and blogged to death. With his unquenchable need to be bigger and badder than the Hulk, Blonsky forces Mr. Blue's assistance in making him into an Abomination: a more ugly, bigger, and nastier version of the Hulk. This, of course, gives license to trash the streets of Manhattan, yet again, big-time, in scenes reminiscent of Cloverfield.
Given Ross's obsession to exploit Banner's mutated genetics to create super soldiers at any cost, and the Hulk's pulverizing tantrums when cornered, it is hard to say who leaves behind more of a collateral mess; but it is fun watching them go at it. The pyrotechnics and CGI are front and center here, giving this Hulk more of his comic book mannerisms and personality, two important defining elements missing in Lee's movie. Caught in the middle is General Ross's daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler), whose contempt for her callous dad grows with each costly failure to capture Banner, the man she loves, big green feet and all. Edward Norton makes a believable Bruce Banner, and Liv Tyler brings an apple pie smile and personality to match.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) puts in an appearance, hinting at interesting possibilities for this now established franchise. With Marvel in control of their movie productions this time around, the interconnected storylines originally developed in four-color panels on pulpy paper, and later revamped in the Ultimate Marvel Universe, can now be realized in the more vibrant palette of the theater screen. As a Merry Marvel Marching Society card-carrying member from then to now, all I can say is "Make Mine Marvel!"
Article comments
1 - Toni
Did anyone happen to catch the Incredible Hulk theme (from the TV show) in this film? I thought that was a nice touch.
2 - ILoz Zoc
Yes! I loved it. It fit in quite well with the overall tone of the film. The eyes turning green was also a good idea to include.
3 - patrick
this new hulk is a lot more fun than the first one with Eric Bana; as usual Ed Norton has gravitated to a "split personality" role...