The Incredible Hulk
We went to see The Incredible Hulk last night, thanks in part to $14 of movie certificates I received for buying a $50 Kmart gift certificate (that I spent on groceries the following week). We would have paid full price for this one, but the savings helped.
Thoughts and spoilers below the fold.
Loved it. I enjoy movies based on comic books, generally, and after that wreck of a Hulk movie starring Eric Bana, I’m glad they “rebooted” the franchise (as my husband expressed it). Edward Norton is well-cast as Bruce Banner and did a fine job. The Hulk CGI is consistent and quite good. The ending — which I anticipated after seeing the name “Nick Fury” flash onscreen during the exposition that ran during the opening credits — was satisfying.
However…
I agree with my husband’s verdict that while it didn’t hurt the movie, the part of Betty as portrayed by Liv Tyler could have been done just as well by a cardboard cutout. I’d suggest two cardboard cutouts: one of her looking sympathetic, worried, and puffy-lipped, and another with a rare smile. That should do it. Just stick glasses on one when she’s supposed to appear smart. I think Tyler is a beautiful woman, especially now that she’s filled out her figure a bit, but she’s no great actress. The Betty character is two-dimensional, so she didn’t need to be.
I hated, hated, HATED the way they dealt with the capture of the Blonsky monster. This thing has been shredding New York City, Blonsky has displayed remarkable regenerative powers, but because he’s a little winded, they assume he’s beaten? Huh? I get the whole “Hulk is not a murderer now that he’s aware of his Bruce side” thing, but c’mon. At the very least, they should have had Blonsky revert to human form when he was exhausted. Then, having mercy would make sense. The few minutes at the end of the Hulk/Blonsky fight nearly ruined the whole movie for me.
Looking forward to the next one.
