"The Incredible Hulk" (2008)
It's still 2008. "Iron Man" is raking in the cash. Critics and audiences are going bananas. Why stop with just one Marvel super hero hitting the big screen? The next movie in the set that will become known as "Phase One" is "The Incredible Hulk." Now, you may be asking yourself, wasn't there another Hulk movie and do I need to watch that first to enjoy this? The answer to that question is a hard no. The first movie, "Hulk," was directed by Ang Lee and has no relation to this movie. You can see it, if you like dimly lit action scenes featuring dogs on steroids, a 2 ton green monster flying through the air with the greatest of ease and Nick Nolte giving it his scenery chewing all, then sure, knock yourself out. On second thought, maybe it is worth a re-watch.
Marvel brought in "Transporter" director, Louis Leterrier, to direct the film and serious actor Edward Norton took over the role of Bruce Banner from walking, talking card board cut out, Eric Bana. Now, let's experience "The Incredible Hulk" again for the first time.
In my re-watch of "Iron Man," I mentioned how much I dislike origin stories. It's especially annoying in a re-boot, because most of the time, they just re-tell it, rather than find another engaging way to get viewers up to speed. The first thing "The Incredible Hulk" does really well, is to tell the story of how Dr. Bruce Banner gained the ability to transform into a rampaging rage monster in the opening credits of the movie. It is completely dialogue free and you completely understand what is going on. Not only that, but it also gives you background on Bruce's relationships with Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt).
Another reason this opening works so well for me is because it pretty much apes the 1978 television series. Full disclosure: I freaking love that show. With apologies to Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo, Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno will always be Bruce Banner and Hulk. The rest of the film follows that template, portraying Banner as a wanderer, doing everything that he can to remain calm and away from the people he cares about while he tries to rid himself of his always angry alter ego.
The reason why the TV show worked so well is because it capitalized on that aspect of Banner. On his travels, he runs into people in need of his help. The beginning of the film really plays on that with Banner working at a soda factory in Rio de Janeiro. A small side plot involving a female factory working being harassed helps to highlight both sides of Banner's altruistic personality. He wants to intercede and help, but stops himself because he knows he might not be able to control himself and more lives could be at stake. It's simple, but effective.
The movie also does a good job of teasing audiences, but it never goes too far. You're never annoyed by it. Hulk's first appearance in the soda factory is cloaked in darkness. The chase with Banner and Ross' forces leading up to that is top notch too. It owes a debt to the Bourne franchise. In the factory, you never see Hulk head on, just the aftermath, destruction, bodies flying. The moment with the close up of Norton's eyes going green pre-transformation is also ripped right from the TV series and it's amazing. It makes the moment when Hulk bursts out of the glass tunnel all the more impactful since you get the General and Betty's reactions.
I had forgotten how much set up there was for potential sequels. Betty's boyfriend is future gamma powered psychiatrist, Leonard Samson. Samuel Sterns begins his first steps towards transforming into the big brained (literally) Leader. It made me yearn for another solo Hulk film.
"The Incredible Hulk" is an important film in the MCU because it is the first mention of the mythic "Super Soldier serum," the serum that transformed scrawny Steve Rogers into Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America. Banner is trying to replicate it and that is what unleashes his inner id. General Ross will also be playing a role in "Captain America: Civil War." He seems to have a hand in bringing forward the Sokovia Accords. It's nice to see that this movie had more to offer the larger universe than just introducing Hulk. The after credits scene also helps hammer home that this is a shared universe featuring a meeting between Tony Stark and General Ross.
Villains continue to be the MCU's Achille's Heel. Tim Roth's weaselly Emil Blonsky doesn't offer a lot and it doesn't get much better when he transforms into The Abomination. The fight between Hulk and Abomination does offer some pretty cool stuff. We get a "Hulk Smash!" and the car boxing gloves, but his weird design is hard to come to terms with.
All in all, it was fun to re-visit the Marvel movie that I have watched the least and gain new perspective and a new appreciation for it. Here's hoping that this isn't the last time we see Hulk solo on screen.
What do you guys think? Did you like "The Incredible Hulk?" Is it anyone's favorite MCU film? Anything that I missed? Let me know in the comments.
Marvel brought in "Transporter" director, Louis Leterrier, to direct the film and serious actor Edward Norton took over the role of Bruce Banner from walking, talking card board cut out, Eric Bana. Now, let's experience "The Incredible Hulk" again for the first time.
In my re-watch of "Iron Man," I mentioned how much I dislike origin stories. It's especially annoying in a re-boot, because most of the time, they just re-tell it, rather than find another engaging way to get viewers up to speed. The first thing "The Incredible Hulk" does really well, is to tell the story of how Dr. Bruce Banner gained the ability to transform into a rampaging rage monster in the opening credits of the movie. It is completely dialogue free and you completely understand what is going on. Not only that, but it also gives you background on Bruce's relationships with Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt).
Another reason this opening works so well for me is because it pretty much apes the 1978 television series. Full disclosure: I freaking love that show. With apologies to Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo, Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno will always be Bruce Banner and Hulk. The rest of the film follows that template, portraying Banner as a wanderer, doing everything that he can to remain calm and away from the people he cares about while he tries to rid himself of his always angry alter ego.
The reason why the TV show worked so well is because it capitalized on that aspect of Banner. On his travels, he runs into people in need of his help. The beginning of the film really plays on that with Banner working at a soda factory in Rio de Janeiro. A small side plot involving a female factory working being harassed helps to highlight both sides of Banner's altruistic personality. He wants to intercede and help, but stops himself because he knows he might not be able to control himself and more lives could be at stake. It's simple, but effective.
The movie also does a good job of teasing audiences, but it never goes too far. You're never annoyed by it. Hulk's first appearance in the soda factory is cloaked in darkness. The chase with Banner and Ross' forces leading up to that is top notch too. It owes a debt to the Bourne franchise. In the factory, you never see Hulk head on, just the aftermath, destruction, bodies flying. The moment with the close up of Norton's eyes going green pre-transformation is also ripped right from the TV series and it's amazing. It makes the moment when Hulk bursts out of the glass tunnel all the more impactful since you get the General and Betty's reactions.
I had forgotten how much set up there was for potential sequels. Betty's boyfriend is future gamma powered psychiatrist, Leonard Samson. Samuel Sterns begins his first steps towards transforming into the big brained (literally) Leader. It made me yearn for another solo Hulk film.
"The Incredible Hulk" is an important film in the MCU because it is the first mention of the mythic "Super Soldier serum," the serum that transformed scrawny Steve Rogers into Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America. Banner is trying to replicate it and that is what unleashes his inner id. General Ross will also be playing a role in "Captain America: Civil War." He seems to have a hand in bringing forward the Sokovia Accords. It's nice to see that this movie had more to offer the larger universe than just introducing Hulk. The after credits scene also helps hammer home that this is a shared universe featuring a meeting between Tony Stark and General Ross.
Villains continue to be the MCU's Achille's Heel. Tim Roth's weaselly Emil Blonsky doesn't offer a lot and it doesn't get much better when he transforms into The Abomination. The fight between Hulk and Abomination does offer some pretty cool stuff. We get a "Hulk Smash!" and the car boxing gloves, but his weird design is hard to come to terms with.
All in all, it was fun to re-visit the Marvel movie that I have watched the least and gain new perspective and a new appreciation for it. Here's hoping that this isn't the last time we see Hulk solo on screen.
What do you guys think? Did you like "The Incredible Hulk?" Is it anyone's favorite MCU film? Anything that I missed? Let me know in the comments.
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