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Year of Release: 2008 Date Of Review: June 2008 When I first heard about this “Hulk” sequel or should I say franchise re-boot my first thoughts were, “Could it get any worse”? In my eyes “Hulk” the 2003 version starring Eric Bana was one of the most disappointing comic book films in recent years. There is a glimmer of good news though, this new film, “The Incredible Hulk”, is only slightly better than its predecessor but seriously, that’s not saying much. Unfortunately, in the comic book film world “Hulk” is struggling to keep its head above water. It’s too self serious and lacks a fun element. It needs to be lighter, brighter and more tongue-in-cheek for a comic book film. It needs a better plot, better pacing and more enthusiasm for its subject matter. Banner is sadly banal. “The Incredible Hulk” is no Superman, no Spider-Man, no Batman and it certainly hasn’t got the likeability or cool-factor of the recent big screen hit “Iron Man”. “The Incredible Hulk” is watchable at best; it engages only at odd intervals, has a few nice CGI Special effects sequences, lots of dull tiresome dialogue and an almost non-existent plot. As for the cast, there are no standouts and they simply go through the paces. William Hurt is suitably gruff, Tim Roth is suitably angry, Liv Tyler is suitably sweet and Edward Norton ("The Italian Job") fares no better and no worse than Eric Bana. The “Duels of the Giants” finale is rather impressive but ultimately overblown, just like much of what has already preceded it. When the two green titans finally battle it out in a video game graphics enhanced showdown, the battle quickly becomes a mish-mash of sorts after their first explosive head to head clash and if you have already seen the trailers you have seen the best bits of their tussle. “The Incredible Hulk” is too much jolly green giant or should I say angry green giant and not enough heavy metal “Iron Man” for my tastes. With “Iron Man” setting the bar high for comic book entertainment, “Hulk” serves only one purpose and that’s an alternative but not an equal. My bet is if you are heading to the cinemas you would be much better revisiting “Iron Man” a second time than sitting through this plodding comic book thriller that offers very few thrills, a muddling plot and too much green padding. Once thing is for sure, the most talked about hot-topic post-screening could well be Robert Downey Jr’s surprise epilogue cameo as Tony Stark and the hint of an “Ultimate Alliance” movie and not how good this new Hulk film really is and that is certainly a very troubling thing for this already frail franchise. This time round “Brokeback Mountain’s” Ang Lee drops out of the director’s chair to make way for Louis Letterrier of “Transporter” fame. Louis attempts to inject more action, more location shots and more creativity in this comic book fantasy that is predominately a creature feature chase film. Between chase elements there is a moment in the film between Liv Tyler and the Hulk that is reminiscent of that other mammoth creature feature “King Kong” but unfortunately “Hulk” falls short of the man in the monkey suit. Think “King Kong Lives” (1986) not “King Kong” (1933) and I think you’ll get the picture. “The Incredible Hulk” is way too much gamma and not enough substance! Will this mark the end of the “Hulk” franchise? Strangely enough, I don’t think so. By the looks of things guys are going out to see this new film in droves so I am sure it will clock up a tidy sum at the box office. At the screening I went to the cinema was almost a full-house with a predominately 95% male audience and there were no more than, maybe, 10 vacant seats in the entire theatre. That being said, do I think it pleased the male masses? I would say by the lukewarm reaction, maybe 40 to 50% at best. Many of the guys going to see it appeared to be “pumped up” prior to the screening and I just don’t mean excited, many of them were buff just like the title character, however, the guys I saw leaving the screening were a different story, with some looking rather deflated. Also, some of the young boys in attendance were being carried out of the cinema fast asleep in the arms of their fathers. Was it that the hulk had tired them out? Either that or they were too drained of energy from all the tedious dialogue scenes. Will lackluster word of mouth destroy this thing? Somehow, I don’t think so. For some reason, there are many guys out there that enjoy seeing a pumped up green monster in blue jeans causing massive amounts of havoc and destruction at every turn. Whatever the case, this new film has done very little to improve an already struggling, albeit limited franchise. Seriously, we can only take so much of the military firing weapons at this guy! Not even cameos from Stan Lee (comic book creator), Lou Ferrigno (the original TV Hulk) and a snippet of Bill Bixby (TV’s original Banner) on a Television screen couldn’t save this one. Having said all that, a lot of effort has obviously gone in to this flash and crash production that is sure to please adolescent audiences that like lots of explosions and freakish visuals. If they do make another “Hulk” film there will only be one hot topic on most people’s list, who will be the stooge that plays Bruce Banner next time round? One thing is for sure it won’t be George Clooney…..”Batman And Robin” anyone? © Copyright Pick Of The Flicks. All rights reserved. Cinema Synopsis: THE INCREDIBLE HULK kicks off an all-new, explosive and action-packed epic of one of the most popular superheroes of all time. In this new beginning, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows - cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) - Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. As all three grapple with the secrets that led to Hulk's creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination (Tim Roth), whose destructive strength exceeds even the Hulk's own. One scientist must make an agonizing final choice: accept a peaceful life as Bruce Banner or find heroism in the creature he holds inside - THE INCREDIBLE HULK. "Hulk" Starring Eric Bana - Now Available on DVD: Hulk (2003) [DVD] "The Incredible Hulk" TV Series - Now Available on DVD: The Incredible Hulk: The Complete First Season (1978) [DVD] The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Second Season (1978) [DVD] The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Third Season (1979) [DVD] The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Fourth Season (1980) [DVD] "The Incredible Hulk" TV Movies - Now Available on DVD: The Incredible Hulk Collection [DVD] Edward Norton DVD Collection - Now Available: Liv Tyler DVD Collection - Now Available: Tim Roth DVD Collection - Now Available: William Hurt DVD Collection - Now Available: Pick Of The Flicks - Recommended Links: Action & Mayhem at Hollywood Teen Movies Pick Of The Flicks Blog Spot / Messageboard: Use the search bars below to search our site, find your favorite movie or find your favorite poster:
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