the Hulk

Many have described and will describe this films shortcomings more eloquently, mor succinctly than I. But, sufficed to say, I was disappointed by this film. In the blogosphere, more than a few have put forth that there was a good film hiding inside of this one. I am inclined to agree with that insight. While in both the Ice Storm and Crouching Tiger Ang Lee has demonstrated a particular talent for visual spectacle, I was pleasantly surprised by how visually sophisticated this film was. It really is quite an impressive and complex film visually (although one scene with mutant dogs weakens it), and the CG, if not groundbreaking, was top notch.

But this film doesn't really work. The film was unusually and awkwardly paced. The last half hour isn't particularly coherent- it's muddled and strange and not credible and, while it's not particularly hard to suspend disbelief of the Hulk's superpowers, Nick Nolte's strain credulity and make little sense.

The plot was too circuitous and elliptical for a film of this sort. The film is at least 15 minutes longer than it has to be. The characters are interesting and the acting is generally pretty decent. Bana's performance was unusual, like those of his I've seen in the past. He was pathologically reserved in the first half of the film, which serves the purpose of the story, but is kind of hard to watch. Connelly played her role as well as can be expected- it's a role on the edge between the standard one-dimensional comic book female role and something a good deal more complicated. Sam Elliot's moustache is, as usual, a special effect in and of itself. Nolte is over the top- sometimes for the good of the movie, sometimes not.

One of the charges against this film is that it overintellectuallizes the character of Bruce Banner/the Hulk. I actually think that this character works well, and is the main cinematic draw of this film for me. The Hulk is a compelling character, particularly to people who are reserved or repressed, people who hold rage inside of themselves. Despite its many flaws, this film successfully uses the cathartic power of released rage.

This sucker earns 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
I wanted to like it more, but it wouldn't let me.