In the sixties, when many of us were growing up there was basically two brand
names for comics. Sure there were some others but our young world revolved
around either DC or Marvel. The DC universe had more traditional superheroes and
villains like Superman and Batman. The world of Marvel was much different and in
many ways more real. The heroes and villains were plagued by the same problems
as most of us; they were flawed and we identified with them. Characters like
Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four were sometimes seen in the stories as
vigilantes and outlaws. One of the most complex characters that Marvel has ever
come up with was the Incredible Hulk. Scientist Bruce Banner was bombarded with
an excessive amount of gamma rays so that when he became angry he would turn
into the huge green monster known as the Hulk. This character has been a bad guy
and a hero. He is misunderstood and primal, just perfect for a multi-faceted
individual. The Hulk has been the main subject of comics, graphic novels, both
real action and animated television and movies. The latest incarnation for this
classic character is available on DVD and Blu-ray and it is one of the better
treatments of the Hulk. Universal Studios has released this film in several
variations so there is bound to be one just right for you. This is more than a
comic book come to life; it is a dark character study that just happens to have
a tom of action.
One of the things that have made this character into one that is reinvented
so often is the strong central themes that the stories explore. There is the
most obvious one; the duality of the human personality. This theme is ancient,
as old as human storytelling. The most famous example is Robert Louis
Stevenson’s classic novella ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ published
in 1886. It allowed a kindly and dedicated researcher to change into his dark
and hedonistic counterpart. Here Banner (Edward Norton) follows much the same
path only with anger as the trigger. We all have a dark side but in his case
when he becomes the Hulk his usual human restraint is gone. We all had had
moments when we just wished that we could let go and allow a more primal
personality to take over. The second major theme here is another that is very
old. It questions the extent that scientific research will go. Man has a thirst
for knowledge that drives him to investigate the mysteries of the universe. Here
Banner has good intentions but the power he receives is more than he can handle.
There is also a love story between Bruce and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Many
relationships are challenged by personality conflicts but this story takes
things to an extreme. Ladies, if you think your boyfriend or husband has a
temper just be thankful that he doesn’t turn big and green and smash everything
in sight.
The script was written by Zak Penn. He certainly has more experience in this
specific genre than the usual author of the comic book drove screenplays. His
resume has such notable scripts as a couple of the ‘X-Men’ movies, ‘Elektra,’
and the ‘Fantastic Four’ He has also been tapped to write the upcoming Marvel
film ‘The Avengers.’ Penn captures the essence of the dichotomy between Banner
and his alter ego of the Hulk. There is a humanity present here that transcends
the older comic movies that make this story into an interesting film not just an
action flick. In some ways this is a story of personal self-discovery and
redemption. Banner knows that he has been responsible for the carnage inflicted
by the Hulk and wants to rid himself of this curse. It has caused him to lose
his research, professional standing and the woman he loves. What did hurt this
story was the theatrical release date. It was opened too close to another Marvel
staple ‘Iron Man.’ That film was so perfectly done that nothing released right
after it could measure up. Albeit the story here is not as deep or emotionally
compelling as shown in ‘Iron Man’ but it holds together far better than the 2003
Ang Lee variation. There is a little tip of the hat to that film with the events
taking place after the concluding explosion of the 2003 movie. This is an on the
spot re-imagining though with a different focus that Lee had. The story does
benefit from not having the necessary baggage of an origins movie. We all know
how this Hulk came into being, so Penn was able to just get down to the action.
Directing this film is Louis Leterrier. This is his third time in the
helming. Previously he has the all-out action flick ‘Transporter 2’ and the
action-oriented crime thriller ‘Danny the Dog.’ His style here offers little in
the way of surprises. The storylines are presented straightforwardly. He allows
for the necessary exposition which includes an opening segment that recants the
origins of the creature. This is less psychologically oriented than the Ang Lee
version and misses some of the heat of the television series but overall it
works. There is plenty of action to be had, enough to keep any fan happy. The
CGI is just below cutting edge although it is more advanced than any previous
treatment of the Hulk.
Banner starts out working for a soda bottling company in Brazil. This is a
man with an MD and Ph.D. but he keeps the job so in his spare time he can
perform experiments on the local flora in hopes of finding a cure for his
transformations. One of the few connections to his previous life is an online
collaborator known to him only as Mister Blue. While searching for the cure he
takes proactive measures such as yoga and breathing exercises to curb his anger.
The banner is like a man in substance abuse recovery counting the days since his
last change into the Hulk. When some of his blood contaminates a soda bottle and
infects a person back in the States-General ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (William Hurt)
gets a clue to where Banner is hiding. He sends a special operations expert Emil
Blonsky (Tim Roth) to retrieve Banner. He transforms and manages to escape
talking Banner back to the States. Banner tries to continue his research while
Blonsky not only takes the super solider formula but the unpredictable gamma
treatment. This turns him into a bigger and more powerful creature. Norton does
make an interesting choice for Banner. He brings a different emotional score to
the role that is very close to how it was played by Bill Bixby. He instills a
pathos to Banner that helps sell the role.
The film is released to DVD and Blu-ray by Universal, and once again, they do
a fantastic job. They have a one-disc version in either anamorphic widescreen or
Pan & Scan. For a few dollars more you might as well go for the three-disc
special edition. The Blu-ray version also features a DTS HD audio track. Both
the three-disc DVD and the Blu-ray have a digital copy disc so you can transfer
the film to your PC or Mac. Both also contain the extras listed below. This is
certainly one of the more interesting installments of the franchise is sure to
entertain.