Cap’n Logan’s Take 

Marvel is having a good year. First, Iron Man was a surprising powerhouse, and now a second attempt at a Hulk movie that was every bit as good in plot, action, and acting as Iron Man. I’m impressed that without an X-Men or a Spider-Man, Marvel might be having their best summer to date. I’m also happy that they’re finally establishing some continuity between their films, leaving no question that these two movies are in the same universe, with many more to follow.

I found it immediately interesting that although The Incredible Hulk is a revamp, and definately not a sequel to Hulk, it very logically follows that film in plot. In fact, I really think the only thing that prevents a viewer from seeing these movies as being in the same universe is the presence of two different Abominations. It was a lot of fun, and frankly a relief, to get past the Hulk’s origin and just tell a new story. The other movie spent far too long on the origin, while this one just shows highlights behind the opening credits. Bruce Banner gets hit with a gamma bomb because he tries his experiment on himself– that’s really all you need to know, and no reason to drag it out for an hour.

I was quite surprised by Liv Tyler’s performance. I usually don’t like her at all, but I could feel the past chemestry between her and Banner immediately. And unlike most comic book film romances, this one worked well because it was already established. The film didn’t have to take time trying to build the relationship because it was already there, and that allowed it to spend its time dealing with bigger issues, namely the General’s obsession with finding the Hulk and using him as a weapon and Banner’s preoccupation with getting rid of the Hulk.

This time, Hulk looks very realistic. He’s not bright green, he doesn’t keep changing size every time Banner changes, and there’s great attention to detail, especially in his facial expressions. It doesn’t usually look too CG and because he looks more human, he’s actually much scarier.

This movie’s Abomination, a soldier who wants what Banner has and will do anything to himself to get it, is more interesting than in the other movie, but it’s also my only real complaint. I would have appreciated more motivation for this character. Why is he so obsessed with becoming a super soldier? What in his background gets him to this point? I don’t think his explanation of wishing he had a body that was ten years younger to go with his expertise was really enough.

Look for some neat callbacks to the old Hulk television series and comics, including a reference to purple pants and Bruce Banner’s alias of David B. at the end. This is also Stan Lee’s coolest cameo to date– he actually gets to be a vital part of the plot this time!

What really makes it great is the progression. Bruce Banner is not the same man at the end that he was at the beginning. The film gets him from trying to get rid of the Hulk to learning how to control it. It isn’t just a monster movie. As it moves along, it becomes a superhero movie, and you’re left looking forward to seeing the Hulk as a real superhero when the Avengers movie is released. It’s not the most intellectual comic book film but it does have a few things to say about the dangers of playing God and how scary people can be when they ignore the quality of life. Overall, it’s a fun ride that manages to tell a story that’s more than the Hulk hitting things and being chased around a lot.

Vince’s Take

This movie is so intricately woven to be heart pounding that missing more than a second of it will surely result in instant regret. Even though I enjoyed the first movie, the difference between The Hulk and The Incredible Hulk is in the obvious word. Only one is truly incredible.

In a plot line where Bruce Banner is the major focus, the Hulk must be handled as a monster. The creative team behind this movie did just that. The first time Banner Hulks-out we don’t actually get a clear shot of the Hulk. It adds suspense and fear. In this movie, we actually feel like Banner has something to worry about. For those of you who worry about him being too much of a monstrosity, the Hulk is also treated as a tragic figure, but it is entirely possible to make him tragic while also monstrous. Some of the classic references in this film point directly to other monster-movies with tragic figures. The first time we get a clear shot of Hulkie in all of his glorious green greatness they use music reminiscent of Frankenstein, while in some scenes between the Hulk and Betty Ross there’s a distinct King Kong feel.

There are a few down falls. Unfortunately, some parts of the movie do come across a bit corny, but they’re small enough that it’s ultimately forgivable. Also, the Betty Ross character is mostly one dimensional and pretty naive for a cellular biologist. She’s a really nice person with daddy issues who cares greatly for Bruce; beyond that we don’t get much. I found myself missing Sam Elliot, but William Hurt did wonderfully as ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. But none of that takes away from enjoyable this movie really is.

For the comic fans there are elements of Peter David’s Hulk stories lifted directly from the comics, with plenty of references to satisfy your inner geek. There are even moments when the composition of the shot resembles some of the Hulk comic covers.

I absolutely adored this movie, and highly recommend it.

Minor Spoilers

This movie is best described as a fanboy’s wet dream. There are plenty of not so subtle references for Iron Fans to pick up on, clever dialog to keep the audience actively listening, and it’s a stunning spectacle. Call Iron Man what you will, but don’t call it boring. It’s a great way to kick off the summer. I, for one, was ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘awe-ing’ along with the rest of the audience at the niftiness that is Iron Man.

Bravo to Jon Favreau for using as little CGI as possible. During some parts of the movie I kept trying to figure out whether or not they used it. In some parts computer intervention is reasonably obvious, but mainly because the possibility of achieving the various superheroic acts would be slim without the construction of an actual suit of powered armor.

Sometimes the camera felt too shaky for a movie about highly advanced technology. I understand that some of that is probably because of the location it was shot in. And further to the filmmaker’s credit the shaky-cam is rarely noticeable. Most of it occurred while Tony Stark was in Afghanistan and they may have wanted to use that raw feel to increase the tension of the situation.

The wit in this movie is astounding. Everything from visual jokes to one-liners to witty banter is employed here. Tony Stark’s rich playboy savoir-faire more than contributes to the comedy. The characters around him succumb to his cleverness and charm and it keeps us, the audience, in stitches. Stark’s comedic rapport with his slightly dimwitted seemingly empathic robotic machinery is hilarious. Don’t worry. His relationship with his armor is strictly professional.

The most satisfying aspect of the film is Robert Downey Jr.’s performance. He captures all that is Tony Stark and gives it to us on an iron platter. He’s electrifying. A lot of “comic book” Tony Stark’s charisma that is successfully interpreted to film, I think, can in large part be credited to Robert Downey Jr.’s own charm. This is probably one of the best cast movies I’ve seen in a while. It’s hard to go wrong with Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow. Though Obadiah Stane is far from likeable, he is an interesting villain due to the friendliness that is present in Bridges’ voice, which makes some of his other roles, like the Dude in The Big Lebowski, lovable. As Pepper Potts, Paltrow is able to match Tony Stark’s charisma and be influenced by it while still maintaining her better judgment… for the most part.

There is an obvious pushing of social commentary in its anti-war theme. I don’t mind the theme, but I think it’s force fed to the audience on a nearly constant basis. The film opens with Tony Stark being captured by terrorists who use illegally acquired weapons made by Stark Industries and after his escape Tony decides that weapons of war are morally wrong. The motivation of Stark is pushed as if it is the essential point the filmmakers are wanting the audience to leave with, but the theme conflicts with the plot. A weapons maker stops making weapons for the military and decides to wage his own war using his weapon specifically designed for personal use. It makes sense why he does it. The only way to destroy the weapons is by making a weapon that can destroy them, but he also uses the suit to fight people. It’s unavoidable. So, essentially the movie presents two themes “War is bad” and “If you want peace prepare for war.” I almost thought this was a flaw, but I’m not so sure. I think it’s an interesting bit of irony. Superheroes often swim in ideals and are faced with situations where they have to decide what is morally straight. Usually the hero’s own morality is held up as the standard, but the innocent hypocrisy adds something to this movie.

The narrative is driven more by circumstance than it is by plot, but personally I didn’t care much. The plot ties together enough that it doesn’t feel random which made for a good time. There is a week point where the question of “why?” isn’t addressed. The answer could be left up to the disorganization of terrorist and guerilla warfare, but I figured I’d give you guys something to gnaw on. Also, there is a little needless non-sensible misdirection of the audience to throw us off the trail of something that we already knew would happen, but it’s hardly noticeable.

The story can feel disjointed at times. It focuses most on the construction of the armor, and how it’s affecting Stark’s life. The movie immediately immerses its viewers into action. It’s an assault to the senses that I’m not entirely sure is welcome, but it is effective none the less. From there it backtracks and rebuilds to the point when Tony is then captured by predominantly Afghani terrorists and is forced to build for them his newest weapon, the Jericho Missile. As is easily expected he deceives them and builds a super suit to break out of captivity. Then we have plot lines involving the stages of construction of the red and gold armor, and the making of Iron Monger.

Though nothing has been greenlit yet, there are talks of a sequel and maybe even a trilogy. Most of the main characters are signed on for three movies; so, the only thing that could put a damper in the future of the franchise is a poor box office reception, but as we very well know that’s not a problem.

If you go see this movie, I promise you, you won’t regret it.

-Vince