The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt and Tim Roth

More than any other Marvel character, the Hulk owes his creation to various influences. The Hulk was already birthed from Jekyll and Hyde, King Kong, Frankenstein, and Godzilla before Jack Kirby and Stan Lee put him to paper in the 60s. Lee and Kirby, in their decade-long fever dream of inspiration, knew this and played off all these previous concepts. Then in the 70s, TV producer, Kenneth Johnson did the same, with the inclusion of elements from The Fugitive, to the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferigno show. The comic books began to follow suit. Then, acclaimed director, Ang Lee, selfishly, made Hulk in 2003. Opting to make his own version of the Marvel character and showing little awareness of any of these things. Collectively, fans scratched their heads.

Now, Marvel takes another stab at what was (for years) their only successful media crossover. The end result is a movie quite at home with mimicking the structure of the TV show, making passing references to the comic book, and has no qualms about being a monster movie. Pretty much what Hulk should be.

In a painfully obvious casting decision, Edward Norton plays Dr. Bruce Banner. “Physician. Scientist. Tapping into the hidden strength that all humans have. Then one day an accidental overdose of gamma radiation altered his body chemistry.” Blah, blah, blah. The movie (in spite of being a franchise reboot) dispenses with all the pleasantries of an introductory story. Instead opting to cut to the chase. Literally. General Ross (William Hurt, appropriately exaggerated) is in hot pursuit of Bruce Banner. Attempting to reclaim the monster within him for Militaristic purposes. But before Banner, looking for help, reignites with his fellow scientist/Ross’ daughter (a dorky and beautiful, Liv Tyler), the General has already subjected, snarky Black Ops soldier, Tim Roth to a Hulk-esque cocktail of the military’s own design.

The movie dabbles in government cover-ups, love triangles, and familial betrayals. But just dabbles. As if trying to make up for the glacial pace of its predecessor. But it’s never quite the primary focus just on that. Instead, director Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2?!?) gives the audience repeated visual intensity. Leaving the competency of clever actors (and a savvy editor) to balloon what is only hinted at. Could this have worked without the aid of the first movie? Maybe not. But with each monstrous step, the film walks with its influences (ranging from Beauty and the Beast to Cloverfield), fully aware and appreciative.