The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (2008) starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt and Tim Roth.

Before...was really looking forward to it. I do have a soft spot for anything comic related really. What more I knew that this had a brief cameo with Robert Downey Junior's "Tony Stark", which makes me extremely excited. Basically, what it comes down to is that I am a geek, a connoisseur, but still at heart I am a geek. I want to have high expectations of this film, it should be fantastic...note SHOULD. However, even though I am really nervous that, as with all comic book movies the plot/director/actors most of the time get in the way, but my geeky excitement definitely has got in the way!

Depicting the events after the Gamma Bomb and therefore after the first film. On the run, Bruce Banner (Norton) is struggling to rid himself of his gamma-infested monster. When General Ross (Hurt) tracks him down, Banner escapes but finds no respite – his girl Betty Ross (Tyler) has moved on and super-soldier Emil Blonsky (Roth) is becoming obsessed with his green alter-ego.

Let's start with the concept that has been thrown around about this film. This is not a reboot, this is not a take 2 at doing the Hulk. The film's intro shows that we are picking up where the last one finished. This is a major misconception that has annoyed the heck out of me since I have watched the film. There is no reworking of the film that Ang Lee set up, however there is a definite move away from the emotional torment of Banner and more a focus on the Hulk, which can only be a good thing.

Norton, and Roth...for me two of the best actors of their generation and to have them heading off against each other in a movie, BRILLIANT!! Both these actors play their roles with such intensity and realism. The onscreen rivalry between these two works really well.

*SPOILER AHEAD*





What's more is that if a sequel does rear it's head there is the possibility that Roth can return as his character isn't killed off, which is fantastic news. I am always highly annoyed when directors feel the need to kill off comic book characters, where can you go after killing off a character....grrrr!!






*SPOILER FINISHED*

Anyway, I digress, the film is action packed and definitely packs a punch. The surprising addition to this movie, in my eyes, is Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, who she plays with empathy and charisma. It feels strange to say this, but I think that this is one of Tyler's best acting roles to date. People may be shocked by this statement considering

a. it is a comic book movie OR
b. the fact she has been in Lord of the Rings, Stealing Beauty, and Onegin (3 highly rated movies)

It is her role in connection with Hurt's role as General Ross that creates the backbone of this movie for me. It is these characters that form the emotional angst that Banner, Blonsky, Ross and Ross all go through. Whoever said that comic book movies can't do characters was seriously wrong. Comic book movies had a bad rap a few years ago, thankfully with films like Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk they are getting their groove back, just like Stella did.

This film weighs the action against the character focus and definitely wins out for me. Although not perfect this film was throroughly enjoyable...let's hope they do another sequel!

★★★★☆