Post by Jobes on Jun 13, 2008 10:12:29 GMT -5
Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, and William Hurt
Director: Louis Leterrier
Director: Louis Leterrier
Considering the first movie was just awful, this film had the tedious task of revitalizing the "Hulk" movie franchise.
Here's the entire plot of the movie. If you want to skip it, and go straight to the review, keep scrolling...
The movie opens assuming you know how Banner became the Hulk, but just in case you don't, it's explained quite briefly in montage during the opening credits.
The story begins with Banner, a fugitive of the government, taking refuge in Brazil. He works at a bottling company as a handyman, and at night scourers to find a cure for the gamma radiation through contact with a University professor known only as Mr. Blue. After a freak cross-contamination at the bottling plant Banner's location is revealed, and Gen. Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross is hot on his trail. Along with Gen. Ross is Emil Blonsky, an aging soldier whose military career is on the backslide. With Ross and Blonsky in hot pursuit through the streets of Brazil, Banner gets "angry" and we get our first glimpse of the Hulk. This Hulk looks great, and unlike the last one, is full of emotion(He's also voiced by Lou Ferrigno, and that's awesome).
After narrowly escaping and a request for more data from Mr. Blue, Banner sets his sights for Virginia, where his mutation occurred and all his "mutation" data is stored. After securing a job and a place to stay with Stanley, some random dude who owns a pizza shop and knows Bruce though it's not explained why and how, Bruce runs into his old flame who now has a new beau. (Who, next to Stanley, is the most useless character in cinema history.) During all this, Blonsky is injected with a "super soldier serum"(Explained by Ross: "First used in WWII," which is a nod to Captain America) to make him a more formidable foe to the green monster.
With his newly acquired data, Banner is ready to reach Mr. Blue, who can hopefully find a cure. While parting ways with Betsy, Banner is discovered. An entire military arsenal is used to bring him in, which causes another "flare-up". After a lengthy battle, and a face-off with the stronger; and faster Blonsky, Hulk escapes with an injured Betty.
After being on the lamb for a good chunk of the film, Banner and Ross reach Mr. Blue, whose real name is Sam Sterns. Although he has doubts of it's effectiveness, Sterns then begins the procedure that will cure Banner of his rage. After, Sterns reveals to Banner and Ross that he has replicated blood and tissue samples that Banner has sent to him. Banner informs him that this must immediately be destroyed, just as he is tranquilized from the gun of a soldier on an adjoining rooftop. With Banner and Ross in their custody, Blonsky decides to confront Sterns and forces him to, "Give me what Banner's got." Reluctant at first, Starnes goes along with it, creating what we know as: The Abomination.
While being airlifted back with Banner in tow, Gen. Ross learns of Blonsky wreaking havoc on the city. Banner convinces the General that he's the only one who stands a chance against Blonsky, even though he may be free of mutation.
Review
Did this flick revitalize the franchise? Yes and No. Yes, in that it's a great looking film with great action and effects. No, in that it lacks direction and plot. Mainly due to the fact that in interviews the director has said that a good 70 minutes was cut out of the film. The performances while good, are not necessarily strong, and the script can be a bit hokey at times. There's the useless character of Stanley, a pizza shop owner and the first person Bruce goes to when he returns home. Stanley gives Bruce the 411 on Betsy and her new man. How does he know Bruce so well? How does he know Betsy so well? These questions are not answered because Stanley disappears quicker than he shows up. Then the other useless character, the new boyfriend. Usually in this type of movie, the "new boyfriend" causes some emotional conflict when the old lover shows up. This is not the case. The moment Bruce shows up, Betsy is all over him, and the character of the boyfriend is literally never seen, or heard from again. What a waste of a potentially good character, considering that boyfriend is to become Doc Samson. Now granted that 70 minutes was cut from the film, and hopefully all of these errors will be explained with the announced director's cut DVD to be released. All in all, it's a typical action movie, lacking what a typical action movie lacks.
Grade: B