2003 saw a moody (and frankly a downer) "Incredible Hulk" film by Ang Lee. A monetary disaster and a film in which no one really CARED about the Hulk. 5 years later, a new cinematic version appears on the big screen, and it doesn't fail to impress.
But first as always, the trailer:
It doesn't rehash the 2003 film, it merely picks up where it left off. 2003 was an "origin" movie. 2008 does indeed follow along 5 years later with loner scientist Dr. Bruce Banner on the lam and on the run. The TV series from the late 70s is paid homage to with Banner's melancholy shuffling through nameless towns to keep on the run. It steers away from proper Marvel Comics canon with its story alterations, giving pause to some devout comics readers and stubbornly types, but the cinematic theme is the essentially the same.
The computer effects are mind-numbing here. It's hard now to watch a movie and NOT feel as if you are watching a cartoon or video game. That being said, Edward Norton picks up the slack and adds an "aw shucks" human element to Dr. Banner.
A nerdy "omigosh I can't wait for the next movie" moment occurs with the star of another Marvel movie making passing mention of The Avengers, a la after the credits of Iron Man; but this time you won't have to sit through the credits to see it.
The score? A solid Matinee Plus. Not quite full price.
And just for shits and giggles, the begininng of the 1978 television show:
No comments:
Post a Comment