Screenplay & Screen Story by Zak Penn
Directed by Louis Leterrier
“The subway is probably quickest.”
“Me, in a metal tube, with hundreds of people, in the most aggressive city in the world?”
“Right…let’s get a cab.”
Hmm…I’m…underwhelmed.
The Incredible Hulk owes far more to the eponymous 1970s television classic than to the all out epic saga (or, at the very least, attempt at an epic saga) of the previous film. The mournful music, the on-the-run mentality, and Bruce Banner trying to find a cure…desperate to find a cure. It’s certainly a good premise on which to rebuild & re-boot the Hulk. There are inspired touchstones to the TV series throughout the film, such as a television clip of a young Bill Bixby, a fledgling student reporter named Jack McGee, and a wisp of the “lonely man” TV theme music.
And yet…
Edward Norton is brilliant. His Banner is very much akin to Bill Bixby’s interpretation, with his own talented spin added to the mix. A sad, quiet, unhurried performance, he’s a leading man who understands very much the psychology of the film’s protagonist. Mind you, considering the pedigree of Norton’s acting credentials — and his hand in the script re-writes — this isn’t surprising.
And yet…
The Incredible Hulk is entertaining, moves at a lightning pace, and is directed with a lot of flair. But it’s virtually ALL style, and only token substance. The psychological depths explored by the previous movie may have turned off a great many people (their loss), but they were explored with a great deal of pathos & intelligence. You get hints of the potential psychology in THIS film, but they’re sacrificed to hardware & Hulk-smash rock-and-roll.
The supporting cast isn’t as good as the previous cast (my polite way of saying “bland”). Liv Tyler acquits herself decently, but she’s not a patch on Jennifer Connelly’s more nuanced Betty Ross. As for William Hurt, his smarmy General Ross isn’t anywhere up to the standard of the intense, controlled performance given by the previous Ross, Sam Elliot. Everyone in between is a cartoon character - pure cardboard cliché. The situation can be best summed up by the fact that Robert Downey Jr’s cameo as Tony (Iron Man) Stark - which lasts all of two minutes - manages to blow everyone else off the screen, bar Edward Norton.
Even the new, computer-generated version of the Hulk doesn’t have the same impact as the previous version. It’s more detailed, more sinewy…but smaller, and less beastial than version number one. The previous Hulk was a behemoth - a moving mountain of green; a primal force of nature. This one is a dark, dirty, angry, muscular punk…but there’s an epic-ness that’s lacking.
That’s the key. It was a fast, enjoyable, electric adrenaline rush, but The Incredible Hulk is too much of a run-of-the-mill monster-fest/smash-and-grab that lacks the majesty of the previous film. The Hulk of 2003 may have suffered from an unwanted second ending, and might not be your cup of tea, but in ambition and scope, it’s still the much better film. Enjoy this one, but cherish the first one even more.
6
Even the music doesn’t have the hummable themes present in Danny Elfman’s 2003 score. A hummable theme is essential. Ask Superman and Darth Vader. ;-)
