DethStar
Jul 2003
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The Hulk (PG-13)
June 20th, 2003
Bruce Banner – Eric Bana
Betty Ross – Jennifer Connelly
Ross – Sam Elliot
Talbot - Josh Lucas
Father – Nick Nolte
Edith Banner – Cara Buono
Mrs. Krensler – Celia Weston
Universal Pictures and Marvel Entertainment presents a film written and directed by Ang Lee. Running time: 132 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sci-fi violence and intense violence and brief nudity).
Overview – No Spoilers
Okay… The Hulk is a long told story, spawning many cult followers and angry little men. The story is that of a superhero, but perhaps a little more. Bruce Banner’s father (Nick Nolte, The Thin Red Line) was a government scientist trying to figure out a use technology to heal people. He was specifically told ‘no human testing’. Now, the normal person, at this point, would cease and desist, however, Bruce’s father was determined and persistent. It was his life’s work.
Now, the scientist finds out he’s having a son, Bruce (Eric Bana, Black Hawk Down). He makes secret experiments on his son, altering his DNA. Now, Bruce is a baby as this is going on and hence he has no idea what’s happening, or not much memory for that matter. However, the story picks up as Bruce is now and adult and living with foster parents after there’s an accident at the lab.
Bruce is working at Berkley as a genetic scientist. He is picking up on the same work as his father (who he does not know). He’s accepted his real parents to be dead and his foster parents as his true parents.
One day while doing a, rather, routine experiment there is a problem. Bruce’s partner gets in trouble as they are releasing gamma radiation into the room. Bruce gets in the way of the rays. Gamma is the highest concentration of ray, for anyone not in the know. The gamma rays which Bruce gets in the way of, activate the hidden ‘extras’ in his DNA and thus makes him heal. However, it may have worked too well, for now… there are a few extra surprises.
Review – No Spoilers
Okay, I love the Hulk. I have read many of the comics. He and Daredevil are my two favorite superheroes. I came into this movie with high hopes of this not being a repeat of the, rather, disappointing Daredevil. Well, I was right. It was MUCH better. I realize there were many people who felt as though this movie would be nothin’ more than overdone, flashy, CGIs… you have been bested. This movie is great. The story is told in such a way which conveys it accurately to the comic, along with a very unique directorial view.
Ang Lee (Director, Riding with the Devil) delivers an amazing job. You live the comic book. There is a style used which makes one think they’re in a comic. His directing shows the same scene in different, smaller, scenes at different angles, simultaneously. It also shows people doing different actions at the same time, on screen at once. It is intriguing and I am positive he’ll win, at least, one big award for it. It’s unique and has not been done before, at least not in any movie that I’ve ever seen… and I’ve seen a lot of movies.
While it was not quite on level with Spiderman (2001), The Hulk ran circles around Daredevil. The story is awesome. The acting was superb. The all-and-all feel of the movie was sensational. There was little I can do to complain. The movie does not even show “Hulk” until 42 minutes in. This, hopefully, deters the feeling that the whole movie is nothin’ but CGI.
The Final Word – No spoilers
The Hulk delivers the first film I’ve really liked, since seeing X2: X-Men United in early May. There is only a certain amount of originality that can be found when you’re telling a story of a story which has already been told, however, it comes out feeling fresh and new, something that is a true merit to the community of movies.
DethStarDriveBy gives The Hulk  out of a possible 5 planets.
4/5
That’s it. I’m done.
Fin.
DethStar
Written on June 12th, 2003
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06-23-2003 04:44 AM
