Marvel produces another winner with The Incredible Hulk
Big action: Edward Norton and Director Louis Leterrier successfully brought the Incredible Hulk to life in this sci-fi and action film. Picture: incrediblehulk.marvel.com
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Incredible Hulk
Certification: PG
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson
Director: Louis Leterrier
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
FOR THOSE of you who found Ang Lee's 2003 version too boring, this do-over should be more appealing to you. But for those of you who, like me, did enjoy the previous Hulk, this one will still entertain.
Dr Bruce Banner this time is played by Edward Norton, an Academy Award nominee who is no stranger to the psychological challenges in acting. After that gamma experiment turned him into the Hulk, Bruce is now hiding in South America, away from the scouring eyes of General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) who is still angry at Bruce for accidentally endangering the life of his only daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler), in that fateful accident.
Now Bruce is on a mission to find a cure so that he can be rid of the monster that dwells inside him, continuously taunting Bruce to release it.
Norton has always been great playing dual personalities (Primal Fear and Fight Club), and Marvel has made a wise decision to bring him in by promising him creative input; that is until they both started fighting over the final cut.
Norton wanted a lengthier and more detailed take (if only he had worked with Ang Lee) while Marvel wanted a "popcorn" flick.
Marvel won in the end, but Norton will be remembered for his contributions and solid performance here. Will he be back for more is anyone's guess; but the way the clothes and shoes are tiresomely in constant need of attention is an easily overlooked little detail that only Norton can project so clearly.
The much-hyped showdown at the end doesn't seem to be much better or more exciting than the previous Hulk, though the overall CGI definitely looks better from five years ago. The overall fast-paced action might be too hurried for audience to really get involved in the fights.
Having said that, this updated version should have achieved what it set out to do; to be an entertaining, summer action movie that stays true to what fans remember the Hulk as in the comics and in the 70s-80s TV series. The film made several references from the comics and TV series such as Lou Ferrigno's cameo and the stretchy purple pants.
This time around, Marvel should be happy with the result. Their decision to start funding their own comic book movies seems to be heading off to a very good start with another success in this Incredible Hulk.
Reviewer's Rating: 7 / 10
The Brunei Times
Certification: PG
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson
Director: Louis Leterrier
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
FOR THOSE of you who found Ang Lee's 2003 version too boring, this do-over should be more appealing to you. But for those of you who, like me, did enjoy the previous Hulk, this one will still entertain.
Dr Bruce Banner this time is played by Edward Norton, an Academy Award nominee who is no stranger to the psychological challenges in acting. After that gamma experiment turned him into the Hulk, Bruce is now hiding in South America, away from the scouring eyes of General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) who is still angry at Bruce for accidentally endangering the life of his only daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler), in that fateful accident.
Now Bruce is on a mission to find a cure so that he can be rid of the monster that dwells inside him, continuously taunting Bruce to release it.
Norton has always been great playing dual personalities (Primal Fear and Fight Club), and Marvel has made a wise decision to bring him in by promising him creative input; that is until they both started fighting over the final cut.
Norton wanted a lengthier and more detailed take (if only he had worked with Ang Lee) while Marvel wanted a "popcorn" flick.
Marvel won in the end, but Norton will be remembered for his contributions and solid performance here. Will he be back for more is anyone's guess; but the way the clothes and shoes are tiresomely in constant need of attention is an easily overlooked little detail that only Norton can project so clearly.
The much-hyped showdown at the end doesn't seem to be much better or more exciting than the previous Hulk, though the overall CGI definitely looks better from five years ago. The overall fast-paced action might be too hurried for audience to really get involved in the fights.
Having said that, this updated version should have achieved what it set out to do; to be an entertaining, summer action movie that stays true to what fans remember the Hulk as in the comics and in the 70s-80s TV series. The film made several references from the comics and TV series such as Lou Ferrigno's cameo and the stretchy purple pants.
This time around, Marvel should be happy with the result. Their decision to start funding their own comic book movies seems to be heading off to a very good start with another success in this Incredible Hulk.
Reviewer's Rating: 7 / 10
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
