Review of
The Incredible Hulk, starring Edward Norton, DVD
Five out of five stars
This movie is
another that demonstrates the need for the ability to generate images via
computer before comic book characters could truly come to life on the big
screen. Characters such as the Hulk could not be accurately rendered using
human bodies and makeup, although the television series did as well as the
technology allowed at the time.
One of the
weaknesses that develop when such technology is available is that it tends to
be overused, the movie becomes a dramatic fight between the main protagonists
with everything in sight being smashed. The strength of the Marvel characters
from the moment of their creation has been that they maintained their human
qualities. Stories featuring them always maintained the human interest element.
For the Hulk stories, it was Bruce Banner’s continuing effort to establish some
form of control over the monster within. Pursued relentlessly by General Ross,
the Hulk was always on the run and constantly reminded that there were forces
trying to destroy him.
Even though
there is a titanic battle between the Hulk and an adversary of equal power, the
main plot devices are Bruce Banner’s battle with himself as well as his love
interest with the daughter of General Ross. There are tender moments, even when
Banner is the Hulk, demonstrating that his humanity remains, even when he is a
powerful green monster capable of picking up a tank.
Two cameo
appearances add some historical flavor to the movie. The first is that of Stan
Lee, he drinks a soft drink containing a drop of gamma charged blood from
Banner. The second is the appearance of Lou Ferrigno as a security guard bribed
by a pizza.
Although there are a few too many powerful yells for
my tastes, this movie keeps the human elements as the main focus. As long as
the human elements are not overpowered by the computer generated action, movies
involving superheroes will remain entertaining.
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