Hulk Review
Hello fellow readers. This is Mr. Birdwell once again. I’m going to be continuing with my stretch of superhero films. Today, we are going to be looking at one that has been one of the most mixed ones in the last 15 years. That’s right. Today’s review will be about “Hulk”.
“Hulk” is a 2003 film directed by Ang Lee and it stars Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliot, Josh Lucas, and Nick Nolte. The film focuses on Bruce Banner, a genetics researcher, who is exposed to gamma radiation. He survives, but turns into a raging green monster whenever he becomes angry. Bruce is pursued by his estranged father, and also the U.S. Army, who see him as a threat to national security.
The idea of duality is something that has been focused on in comic books and comic book related sources such as movies and TV shows. With duality, all the hero has to do is put on a costume and they become more than just a regular person. Criminals fear them, while authorities see them are just grown adults in a goofy looking suit. Outside of the costume, they seem like a normal person. The Hulk is unique because he doesn’t wear a costume or a mask. His costume is his own inner self. The conflict is within him.
Now let’s go onto the positives about this movie. Eric Bana is easily one of the most underrated actors of the last 15 years. I thought he did well as Bruce Banner. To me, he captured the psychological elements of the character and he was very believable in the role. Jennifer Connelly did good as Betty Ross as well. She did great showing her emotions as she is trying to get Bruce the help he needs. Then there is Sam Elliot as General Ross. Do I really need to say more? It is Sam Freaking Elliot. His presence can make the crappiest of movies awesome.
I liked what Ang Lee was trying to go for with this movie. He did a good job directing. Also, I found it unique that he used a comic book style panel to tell the story. It literally looked like I was watching a real life comic book, and Mr. Lee was actually turning the pages for the audience.
However, there were some issues I had with the film. In every movie, there is a villain to counteract with the hero. Well, in this movie, there is no actual villain from the comics per say. There are just bad clichés. I didn’t care for Josh Lucas’s character. He was just a cardboard cutout of the corrupt sleazy money grubbing asshole that is in it for himself. I remember screaming inside hell yeah whenever the Hulk tossed him like a rag doll. And then you have Nick Nolte. What to say about Nick Nolte in this movie? Didn’t think too much of him in the movie, even though he is the reason sort of why Bruce is the way he is in the movie.
As far of the design of the Hulk, it wasn’t overly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Keep in mind; it had been over a decade since I had last seen this movie. He was really effective when he was in an action scene. Now some might want me to address the infamous mutant dog fighting scene that the Hulk has to deal with halfway through the movie. Well, to me it wasn’t good or bad. The sequence is just very forgettable in my opinion. It added nothing to the story.
Overall, despite its flaws, I would say “Hulk” is still an ok movie. I was entertained by it and the pros did outweigh the cons. It’s not as bad as most people say, and I think it deserves a second look. For my rating, I am going to give “Hulk” a 3/5. Thank you guys so much for reading this review. If you have seen “Hulk”, let me know what you thought in the comments below. This is Mr. Birdwell saying, “Keep reading and watching.” (Yes I decided to shorten my end quote. Something I have been thinking about).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RQOT14lck&index=92&list=LLLYscwzuqlcBHnImVAsWdzw
Hello fellow readers. This is Mr. Birdwell once again. I’m going to be continuing with my stretch of superhero films. Today, we are going to be looking at one that has been one of the most mixed ones in the last 15 years. That’s right. Today’s review will be about “Hulk”.
“Hulk” is a 2003 film directed by Ang Lee and it stars Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliot, Josh Lucas, and Nick Nolte. The film focuses on Bruce Banner, a genetics researcher, who is exposed to gamma radiation. He survives, but turns into a raging green monster whenever he becomes angry. Bruce is pursued by his estranged father, and also the U.S. Army, who see him as a threat to national security.
The idea of duality is something that has been focused on in comic books and comic book related sources such as movies and TV shows. With duality, all the hero has to do is put on a costume and they become more than just a regular person. Criminals fear them, while authorities see them are just grown adults in a goofy looking suit. Outside of the costume, they seem like a normal person. The Hulk is unique because he doesn’t wear a costume or a mask. His costume is his own inner self. The conflict is within him.
Now let’s go onto the positives about this movie. Eric Bana is easily one of the most underrated actors of the last 15 years. I thought he did well as Bruce Banner. To me, he captured the psychological elements of the character and he was very believable in the role. Jennifer Connelly did good as Betty Ross as well. She did great showing her emotions as she is trying to get Bruce the help he needs. Then there is Sam Elliot as General Ross. Do I really need to say more? It is Sam Freaking Elliot. His presence can make the crappiest of movies awesome.
I liked what Ang Lee was trying to go for with this movie. He did a good job directing. Also, I found it unique that he used a comic book style panel to tell the story. It literally looked like I was watching a real life comic book, and Mr. Lee was actually turning the pages for the audience.
However, there were some issues I had with the film. In every movie, there is a villain to counteract with the hero. Well, in this movie, there is no actual villain from the comics per say. There are just bad clichés. I didn’t care for Josh Lucas’s character. He was just a cardboard cutout of the corrupt sleazy money grubbing asshole that is in it for himself. I remember screaming inside hell yeah whenever the Hulk tossed him like a rag doll. And then you have Nick Nolte. What to say about Nick Nolte in this movie? Didn’t think too much of him in the movie, even though he is the reason sort of why Bruce is the way he is in the movie.
As far of the design of the Hulk, it wasn’t overly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Keep in mind; it had been over a decade since I had last seen this movie. He was really effective when he was in an action scene. Now some might want me to address the infamous mutant dog fighting scene that the Hulk has to deal with halfway through the movie. Well, to me it wasn’t good or bad. The sequence is just very forgettable in my opinion. It added nothing to the story.
Overall, despite its flaws, I would say “Hulk” is still an ok movie. I was entertained by it and the pros did outweigh the cons. It’s not as bad as most people say, and I think it deserves a second look. For my rating, I am going to give “Hulk” a 3/5. Thank you guys so much for reading this review. If you have seen “Hulk”, let me know what you thought in the comments below. This is Mr. Birdwell saying, “Keep reading and watching.” (Yes I decided to shorten my end quote. Something I have been thinking about).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RQOT14lck&index=92&list=LLLYscwzuqlcBHnImVAsWdzw
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