I just have a softspot for this film. Ang Lee's
HULK was a truly unique (although completely from Ang Lee's own personal perspective) ride into the subconscious of one Bruce Banner.
Personally, I agree that Ang Lee tried something different than Raimi at the time, and decided to put The
HULK into the "real" world, as opposed to a "made up" world, or a world that was versed in the "Marvel Universe". Now with that being said, Ang Lee also did not let anyone forget for a minute that this version of The
Hulk was indeed a comic book put up there on the big screen. Which is evident by the frequent use of dual shots, multiple panels of action, and so forth. Which has a certain novelty of not really having been done before. Or at least this creatively.
One thing I must say Ang Lee conveyed right, is that he fully accomplished setting up Bruce Banner as a man with not only bottled up emotions, but also defined him as man with deeply repressed rage. Ang spent basically an hour getting the audience to believe that there could be a monster lurking in Banner, and when he finally does shows up, it is truly a great payoff. As The
Hulk screams out in uncontrollable anger, literally smashing everything in his way. I must also add that I enjoyed seeing Bruce's relationship with Betty Ross explored within the first 20 minutes, and by doing this, Ang left us with a pair of two three-dimensional, fully fleshed out characters. Throw in Betty's father General Ross, who is played by Sam Elliot as so straight-edged that by shaking his hand you are extremely likely to recieve a paper cut, and you have a very interesting trinity of characters that basically do a good job overshadowing every other character in the film. Which wasnt particularly a good thing. But was a little bit expected, as this was indeed some awesome casting.
And although there were some moments in the film that I quite enjoyed, there are some very weak moments as well. The conflict between the Banner's near the end of the film definately comes to mind. As it's played by Bana and Nolte with the most gravest voices, and comes across as extremely melodramatic, and even laughable at times.
Bottom Line: Despite the film's apparant flaws, I liked this flick. I enjoyed it a great deal. But I believe it ultimately proved disappointing to a number the films target audience, and to hardcore comic book fans with Ang Lee's personal take on The
Hulk. Still, I enjoy it for what it is. And especially for the fact that it did not turn out to be just another summer popcorn flick with wall-to-wall action as it was no doubt assumed to be, but rather a film that actually had atleast some depth to it. Definately not THE definitive
HULK movie (especially if you are a comic book reader), but it was, I felt, a very serious, and welcomed take on a Marvel Comics character that has been around for 40+ years.
So yeah ... I would have anticipated a Ang Lee "HULK 2" very much.
Absolutely.
