The Hulk Review
by Robin Clifford (robin AT reelingreviews DOT com)June 24th, 2003
"Hulk"
Rule #1: don't piss off the big green guy. Rule #2: Never forget rule #1.
Eclectic helmer Ang Lee has shown a versatility and talent that makes me think that there is nothing that this man can't do behind the camera. His early family-oriented Taiwan films like "The Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman" were followed by his adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility," family angst in "The Ice Storm," Civil War drama in "Ride with the Devil," martial arts/fantasy in"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and, now, he enters the stratified realm of the comic book super hero with Stan Lee's "The Incredible Hulk."
It has been a long, long time - decades at least - since I had any exposure to "The Incredible Hulk" comic book tales so it is hard for me to judge the accuracy of the film to the source material. But director Lee, working with the story by his longtime collaborator James Schamus, builds a fair fantasy yarn that is in keeping with the famous Marvel comic character.
There is a Beauty and the Beast aspect to "Hulk" that adds to the combination of Frankenstein meets Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde as developed by creator Stan Lee. Fine casting helps to elevate things up a level from mere comic book, a la "Daredevil." Eric Bana is suitably sullen and troubled as Bruce Krensler, nee Banner, as he has lived this many years with a demon inside. This demon, the giant green guy of the title, comes into being when an accident occurs in Banner's lab and he is exposed to a massive dose of gamma rays. All it takes is a little unbridled bout with anger and the star of the film is born.
Supporting cast, and everyone except for the star himself is support, is better than it has a right to be in a comic book adaptation. Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly is properly pretty and concerned as Banner's former love interest and now true friend. Sam Elliott, always a gruff, gravelly-voiced favorite, puts a humanistic spin on his General Ross, quite an accomplishment since this kind of character rarely rises above the two-dimension. Nick Nolte looks as if her was just released from a Florida jail as the scraggly haired David Banner, Bruce's long estranged father.
Helmer Ang Lee, no newcomer to big budget drama, plays it mostly straight without leavening much humor into the proceeds, using action, instead, as the draw for the built-in audience of Hulk fans. The comic book style of split frames gives credence to the story's source material and keeps things tight and fast paced, too, a plus for a 137 minute long film.
Of course, the real reason we are all here to see "Hulk" is to see the Hulk. Industrial Light and Magic took on the task of bringing the comic creature to life and, overall, do an impressive job. Director Lee, once again, broke new ground as he participated, from the start, in the creation of the CGI animated green guy, to the degree of providing the computer reference points that bring the Hulk to life. The filmmakers keep things basic as far as the title character is concerned, using Hulk to do battle against mutant dogs (to save the damsel in distress in true hero form) and take on a squadron of Abram tanks, then a bunch of Apache attack helicopters. I have to admit, I found myself unconsciously clutching my fists during these high-powered action sequences.
Danny Elfman's score, at first, is obtrusive and overbearing but when the military side of things kicks in the music takes on a Middle Eastern flavor that works surprisingly well for the rest of "Hulk." Fred Elmes's photography is in keeping with the action as the green machine leaps bounds across the desert landscape as he dodges missiles and eats machine gun bullets for breakfast. Subtle uses of green-hued lighting and makeup for Bruce Banner give the sense of the underlying demon without wasting the Hulk's onscreen time kicking butt.
There are problems with the script by John Turman, Michael France and James Schamus that leaves things up in the air, such as the details of how Bruce Banner becomes an orphan. The climactic battle of the titans ending - I won't give away the nuts and bolts of the finale in deference to the fans - has a tacked on feel when compared to the rest of the tightly honed story and action. There is a throwback feel to the Cold War as science versus militarism in "Hulk." To Banner, the ability to regenerate life is a thing that should be available to all mankind. But, the rep of the military-industrial complex, Glen Talbot (Josh Lucas), sees it only as a means of keeping soldiers alive so they can continue to fight wars.
"Hulk" moves along so briskly that the film, like its hero, almost flies. The effects of the Hulk are beyond reproach (though the fans may say different) and the action sequences are downright exciting. "Hulk" is going to be big (pun intended) and I like it better than "Spiderman." I give it a B+.
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