Hulk

Upcoming genetic scientists Bruce Krensler (Bana) and Betty Ross (Connelly) are working on the regeneration of issue via gamma radiation. When their experiment malfunctions and Bruce tries to fix it, he is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation but remarkably he doesn't succumb to the poisoning, in fact he has never felt better in his life. This all changes when he gets angry and a terrible transformation occurs, Bruce becomes a creature, out of control and fuelled by rage. He struggles to understand why this is happening, until a man claiming to be his father (Nolte) tells him that he is in fact, Bruce Banner and his alteration is due to genetic experiments of his design.

After the comic book, numerous cartoon series and a very famous TV show, The Hulk finally makes it onto the big screen in one of the best comic book adaptations to date.

Ang Lee, the director of the Oscar winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", has captured the true essence of a comic book and transferred it onto the silver screen. He ingeniously uses split screens, as if the screen was a reflection of the frames within a comic book page. Energetic screen wipes, freeze frames and numerous other techniques are utilised to give the picture a very unique but familiar comic book look. Even down to the writing on the opening credits, the attention to detail is superb and unmatched in this genre.

The performances are also strong. Eric Bana is a very believable Bruce Banner. While of course he is not the Hulk himself, the character development and sense of being are all down to his performance in the origin sequence that occupies the first forty minutes of the movie. Besides from being one of the most beautiful women working in movies today, Jennifer Connelly is also an extremely good actress. In a slightly underwritten role, Betty Ross could have been just another screaming damsel but Connelly brings dignity and grace to the role with a look that could stop any rampaging creature in its tracks.

While the two leads are very good, Nick Nolte and Sam Elliot steal the film away from them. Nolte as the savage looking mad scientist, riddled by guilt but driven by the quest for knowledge is electrifies the screen every time he graces it. The very underrated Sam Elliot brings General "Thunderbolt" Ross to life. He has a superb heir of authority as he throws everything the military has got at the rampaging Hulk while making the decisions that could save lives but also lose him his daughter and the life of Bruce Banner.

The talking point of the movie however is the Hulk himself. The completely computer generated rampaging green menace is abit of a mixed bag. There are moments where it is exceptional, most noticeably the forest fight and the escape from the military but sometimes, especially in the close-ups, the Hulk has that shiny, CG look that plagues all characters of this type. It is the eyes that really give it away, as they are just too shiny and glazed. Ang Lee copes with these limitations well however, by keeping the mean green moving and interacting with the environment as much as possible to enhance the believability. You can't help smiling when the creature lets loose and a trial of destruction is left in its wake.

The best thing about the movie has to be that it has a story. Ang Lee and the writers haven't been afraid to fill significant amounts of the film with character building and extended dialogue scenes at the expense of just jumping into the action. This pushes the movie away from the no-brainer action flick to a more intelligent insight into coping with anger and the monster within.

The Hulk is another example of a Marvel comic book adaptation that has been approached with the care and respect it deserves. Ang Lee and producer/head of Marvel Pictures Avi Arad have to be commended for their attention to detail and sheer passion for the project. Even thought it is slightly overlong and the end battle is an anti-climax, they have done creators Stan Lee (look out for his and original TV Hulk Lou Ferrigno on-screen cameos) and Jack Kirby proud.

Hulk Smash!

"Superhero Revealed: The Anatomy of the Hulk (interactive) - Manipulate and dissect a 3D Hulk model to explore his extraordinary abilities -Duration: 9 minutes 2 seconds
Deleted Scenes -Duration: 6 minutes 13 seconds
"Hulkification - "You're Making me Angry" scene drawn by accomplished illustrators from around the world (in Japanese Anime, Euro Style and Marvell Comics style) -Duration: 30 minutes 54 seconds
"Evolution of the Hulk - A deep look into the production and technology that have brought Marvel's strongest superhero to life on the big screen -Duration: 16 minutes 15 seconds
"The Incredible Ang Lee - A tribute to Ang Lee's hands on directing style and his dedication to the Hulk 14 minutes 20 seconds
"The Dog Fight Scene - Step by step breakdown of the scene from storybook to finished scene 10 minutes 8 seconds
"Making of The Hulk 23 minutes 37 seconds
"Ang Lee - A unique look at the unique comic book editing style of the film 5 minutes "DVD ROM feature - Featuring PC wallpaper and screensaver

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2003