The Avengers The Official 'Hulk in Avengers' thread. - Part 9

[Rock Sexton]

I loved Norton as Banner, and was gutted when it was announced he wouldn't be part of Avengers. Not because I don't think another actor could play the part, but the whole 'world-building' thing seemed pointless if they were going to replace one of the big four.

That said, Ruffalo did an incredible job, but it's not all on him. Whedon has to get credit for the way Banner was written - it's hard to empathise with Norton-Banner, because he wants to get rid of Hulk. His mission is to destroy what we put our cash down to see. It would take a hell of an actor to pull that off, only Bixby has.

I'll contionue to enjoy Norton in TIH, but that chapter's done now. I'm leaving it behind, no use crying over spilled milk. I hope to see Ruffalo in more Hulk projects in the future.

70% of the performance is in Whedon's writing IMO. I've watched Ruffalo in many-a-movie and he's typically just a passive background kind of guy. Whedon's flare for dialogue is what gave the Banner character a different spin than it has previously seen. That being said, Ruffalo did a good job with the role .... can't take that away from him. I actually like both Norton's take and Ruffalo's. They're two different depictions.

 

[Quasimod0]

I loved TIH. And I really liked norton when i first saw it. But now I've seen mark ruffalo and I think he's perfect. I don't dislike norton at all though

 

[Rock Sexton]

So Norton spends the whole movie pissy and frustrated he can't save himself and I'm supposed to sympathize with him?

I think you miss little cues. For example the scene when he first sees Betty and then takes off. I thought that was an excellent little way to remind the audience why they should be sympathetic. Alas, I think Feige's stubborn decision to leave out the attempted suicide scene was a big mistakes as far as really making the audience sympathize with Banner's plight.

 

[The Guard]

What does Norton bring to role of Banner that makes people admire or relate to the character?

Uh…I’m not all that certain you’re SUPPOSED to admire or relate to Bruce Banner, other than his struggle to control his anger, and his desire not to hurt anyone. Bruce Banner has always been something of a cautionary tale type character.

Nothing. The movie just assumes because he's the main character we will automatically sympathize with him. Sorry but that's not how films are supposed to work.

With good writing and character-driven acting Avengers earns your empathy and respect for every member of The Avengers.

Banner in HULK was trying to cure diseases. Banner in THE INCREDIBLE HULK was obviously a bit more self interested, because of prior events. He was trying to avoid hurting anyone.

Other than superior action that is the main reason TIH was largely forgotten and Avengers is a global phenomenon.

TIH has largely been "forgotten" because it was years ago, and people have short memories for the most part. Fans haven't forgotten it, as evidenced by the multiple threads here on SHH discussing HULK, TIH and the AVENGERS Hulk.

I don’t know that I consider the action “Superior” just because it was bigger.
I think people are acting like the action in AVENGERS is better because it was funnier, and because Hulk jumped high and smashed things, which Hulk has more or less always done on film. It’s like they didn’t even WATCH the two previous films.

HULK had some very good action. And there was some FANTASTIC Hulk action in THE INCREDIBLE HULK.

What the hell is “character driven” acting? Oh. ALL acting.

Mark Ruffalo gave a solid performance, portraying a Bruce Banner that is a little bit more in control of himself. I liked it too. He did not give anything approaching a great performance, and he did not exactly elevate what was there on the page. I don’t have issues with people liking this version of Banner more…it could be as simple as that he smiled more, and wasn't quite as brooding, and some people like that. What I have a problem with is people using that to bash Bana and Norton’s very good performances. Its just silly.

I don’t think Bruce Banner was ever a particularly likeable and fun guy. He, in the comics, is a frustrated, tortured, conflicted, and wait for it…ANGRY, persion.
One scene of Ruffalo doing gamma radiation work and relucantly using his talents to locate a tesseract because the world's in danger, I’m sorry, that doesn’t really make them that much more selfless than the character has previously been portrayed. Its situational. Banner in HULK was trying to cure all kinds of diseases through his work.

 

[CGHulk]

Deleted image, since Rock Sexton said it was posted a billion times.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Yes that image has been posted a billion times in the evolution of this thread.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Am I the only person who really likes the look of 2003's Hulk and still think the CG quality is great?

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I loved TIH. And I really liked norton when i first saw it. But now I've seen mark ruffalo and I think he's perfect. I don't dislike norton at all though

My feelings as well. It would have been cool to see what Norton might have done with this script, but Ruffalo definitely held his own.

 

[CGHulk]

Just bigger.
http://cdn.fxguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hulk_face.jpg
http://www.fxguide.com/featured/vfx-roll-call-for-the-avengers/

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Am I the only person who really likes the look of 2003's Hulk and still think the CG quality is great?

Yes.

 

[MENTALLECT]

Loved The Hulk.

To my surprise, after asking a few non-comic fans who their favorite character was they said it was The Hulk. hmmm...they need to keep this actor and Hulk design and make a new movie I think. They found the perfect version of the Hulk to use.

The Hulk's performance needed to be the best to set him up for future Hulk movies. His first two movies underperformed, and the idea of The Hulk as a standalone hero was shelved. Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor's movies did well, so there was no pressure on their characters. This Hulk was the only Hulk worth watching.

I did find them Gorillafying the Hulk interesting. Initially it seemed odd, but it was clever. It personalized the Hulk to audiences unfamiliar with him. I am not sure if the formula will work in Hulk 3 however, and hopefully Norton will not be back to play or write the Hulk.

 

[CGHulk]

Am I the only person who really likes the look of 2003's Hulk and still think the CG quality is great?

Most of it, but a few shots don't look as good as the rest. There are those who will shoot down all of the work because of those few shots.

In my opinion there are a few good shots in The Incredible Hulk, and the rest is meh. The good is the rain sequence, some of the close ups of his face, and some good compositing when the Hulk is walking over to betty on campus post battle, that's it.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Most of it, but a few shots don't look as good as the rest. There are those who will shoot down all of it because of those few shots.

i thought the scenes of Hulk fighting the army in the desert were pretty cool.

 

[Dark Raven]

Just bigger.

Spoiler

http://cdn.fxguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hulk_face.jpg
http://www.fxguide.com/featured/vfx-roll-call-for-the-avengers/

I see some flesh skintone showing through where they haven't properly applied the green skin paint, just like in the TV series.

 

[CGHulk]

i thought the scenes of Hulk fighting the army in the desert were pretty cool.

When he runs up to the tanks it's pretty cool.

 

[Doc Samson]

Am I the only person who really likes the look of 2003's Hulk and still think the CG quality is great?

Nope, I've been saying that the best parts of that movie are still on par with what we got in Avengers, and to a certain extent, I was a bit disappointed with that. Ang's film was far too inconsistent though, and that's one thing Avengers nailed.

As far as comparing Ruffalo to Norton (or even Bana) I think it's a bit unfair, because Mark was in the movie a lot less than I thought he would be, according to all the reviews and praise. I think him carrying a whole movie by himself is quite different than fitting into an ensemble, but I give him credit (and even more to the writing) for doing what I had hoped they would do, about this time last year:

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?p=20540767

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Nope, I've been saying that the best parts of that movie are still on par with what we got in Avengers, and to a certain extent, I was a bit disappointed with that. Ang's film was far too inconsistent though, and that's one thing Avengers nailed.

As far as comparing Ruffalo to Norton (or even Bana) I think it's a bit unfair, because Mark was in the movie a lot less than I thought he would be, according to all the reviews and praise. I think him carrying a whole movie by himself is quite different than fitting into an ensemble, but I give him credit (and even more to the writing) for doing what I had hoped they would do, about this time last year:

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?p=20540767

Doc, would you be up for a new Hulk movie with Mark as Dr. Banner?

 

[Doc Samson]

Doc, would you be up for a new Hulk movie with Mark as Dr. Banner?

Absolutely, I think he has great potential to take Banner in a positive direction, as long as the material he's given allows him to do so. I just think he wasn't actually in Avengers enough to make a true comparison between him and the previous actors. But I think Marvel might be satisfied having Mark pop up in a few sequels to the other movies and tackle Avengers 2 first.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Absolutely, I think he has great potential to take Banner in a positive direction, as long as the material he's given allows him to do so. I just think he wasn't actually in Avengers enough to make a true comparison between him and the previous actors. But I think Marvel might be satisfied having Mark pop up in a few sequels to the other movies and tackle Avengers 2 first.

i would LOVE a quick cameo with Mark in Iron Man 3!

 

[Young Superman]

Just bigger.
http://cdn.fxguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hulk_face.jpg
http://www.fxguide.com/featured/vfx-roll-call-for-the-avengers/

Great pic.

 

[Boom]

The Incredible Hulk's CGI was mediocre even at the time of the film's release four years ago, but after seeing The Avengers, it looks so much worse.

 

[LostSon88]

Hate to say it but...that's actually true.

 

[DACrowe]

Sorry you feel that way. TIH has always entertained the hell out of me in the couple hundred times I've watched it. The pacing, the CBM vibe, the action, and the actors ... I love it all. Was my #1 until The Avengers.

It's okay. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

 

[warcam]

I'm just wondering what Marvel/Feige's thinking was behind signing Ruffalo for 6 films if there wasn't a plan for making at least 1 solo film. Even now, with all the praise and attention Ruffahulk is getting, they're sort of being coy about the Hulk's future.

I understand the other actors signed similar deals, but that was with the intention of making sequels to their own solo films. If Marvel's gunshy about another Hulk movie, then it would be a waste NOT to have Banner at least cameo in other movies. He could make a small cameo in IM3, if just to converse with Stark long distance over a video monitor. Or in CA2...maybe show he's working with SHIELD in some capacity. Nothing too distracting. Just enough to show that, yes, these guys can continue on in their solo adventures while maintaining some kind of connection with their teammates.

Maybe have him cameo in Ant-Man or Black Panther if they ever get greenlit.

 

[Dark Raven]

I'm just wondering what Marvel/Feige's thinking was behind signing Ruffalo for 6 films if there wasn't a plan for making at least 1 solo film. Even now, with all the praise and attention Ruffahulk is getting, they're sort of being coy about the Hulk's future.

I understand the other actors signed similar deals, but that was with the intention of making sequels to their own solo films. If Marvel's gunshy about another Hulk movie, then it would be a waste NOT to have Banner at least cameo in other movies. He could make a small cameo in IM3, if just to converse with Stark long distance over a video monitor. Or in CA2...maybe show he's working with SHIELD in some capacity. Nothing too distracting. Just enough to show that, yes, these guys can continue on in their solo adventures while maintaining some kind of connection with their teammates.

Maybe they're planning a She-Hulk movie, with Ruffalo having a cameo? I would like to see that. I think a She-Hulk movie could be good if the humour isn't overdone. I don't really want to see her break the fourth wall. Maybe Joss Whedon could write She-Hulk since his speciality is strong females, and he seems to have gotten a handle on the Hulk.