The Incredible Hulk – Reload

It’s been a crazy time at work these days so I wanted some solid entertainment.  For the lack of choices, I proposed watching “The Incredible Hulk” to my Movie Review Squad and unanimously, both TK and Cynthia loved my choice because of Edward Norton.

Edward Norton as the Hulk?!  What happens to my Hector of Troy?!

OK, I will get to that in just a moment.  I must admit that I am not really a big fan of the concept of Hulk.  However, I am a big fan of Edward Norton and Liv Taylor (the casting of Arwen of LOTR was another surprise to me).

It is hard not to compare “The Incredible Hulk” with “Iron Man”.  Both are recent superhero films that contain a battle between two relatively huge mechanical beings in “Iron Man” and two equally huge greenish blob of beings in “The Incredible Hulk”.  I would say although Edward Norton is a brilliant actor, Robert Downey Jr. has put more heart into the story.  And it is hard not to compare this film with “The Hulk” (2003) as well.  Let’s not debate if Ang Lee has done a better job or the French director Louis Leterrier has because it is a matter of a personal preference between art and entertainment.  I personally would think Eric Bana (Hector of Troy) has put more angst into the character.  After all, we are not suppose to make the Hulk angry, are we?

In a way, “The Incredible Hulk” has two parts to it: the drama and the computer generated coupled with motion captured actions.  The drama may not be as memorable as I wish it to be but I love those special effects with a capital L.  So realistic, so full of energy.  Is it just me as I feel that the Hulk is a bit smaller than the previous film.  Now, those stretchable pants make sense.  Also, one scene did remind me of the film “King Kong”.  Perhaps the metaphor of “the beast within a man and the one true love who is able to tame it” is a popular one.

Again, like “Iron Man”, “The Incredible Hulk” comes with a bunch of in-film advertisements.  The one I recognize and can remember are: Norton 360 (how appropriate), SanDisk, Panasonic Lumix camera (I think), and Cynthia picked up the Givenchy cosmetics. Some advertisements I question the relevancy to the plot.  After the show, Cynthia has the urge to buy some Givenchy products.  Uh-huh … I think that works in some sense.

Unlike “Iron Man”, the stealer scene is not being put after the end credits.  And there is a high possibility that the Hulk will be featured in the upcoming film “The Avengers”.

Cynthia and TK both enjoyed the film.  I still miss my Hector of Troy.  But that’s all good to have different opinions within the squad.  Certainly this reloaded version has more lively scripts and a more likeable green monster.

And it is meaner and angrier than Shrek.