Hulk Starring Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Nick Nolte Directed by Ang Lee Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some disturbing images and brief partial nudity 1/4 out of Stars, Movie Grade: D+

Theatrical Release: June 20, 2003
Running time: 135 minutes

by Kevin Lang

I want to begin by saying that I can't wait for the next Hulk film to be released, and I'm not referring to the sequel to Ang Lee's "Hulk," which opens today. I'm referring to a movie that actually does justice to the original character portrayed first in the comic book and then in the television series. "Hulk" was not this film. Rather, it was a movie so poorly executed that most moviegoers will wake up after the 135 minute runtime, and be green with anger over what they had just watched. Luckily, I didn't have to pay, but I wish that I had taken my chances on the week's other new release, "Alex and Emma," instead.

My friend Jon came out of the screening of "Hulk" that ran before mine complaining about the film's editing. I shrugged it off because he is a film major, and they usually pick at things that the average moviegoer doesn't pay much attention to, basically because these discrepancies are most often not very disruptive to the overall story. However, I want to take the time to personally apologize to Jon for doubting his theatrical intelligence, at least this once.

In reality, the film's editing, in particular the director's use of wipes when cutting from scene to scene, was more disturbing than almost any film that I have ever seen (If you don't know what a wipe is, it's when the picture slides away like a curtain during the cut to the next scene or camera angle. For example, George Lucas used wipes in moderation in "Star Wars: Episode II."). Here, Ang Lee used wipes with nearly every scene change, not to mention split screens that were often completely unnecessary. He did this in an attempt to mimic the box like action and pace of a comic book, only he failed to realize that a film is not a comic book, and moviegoers don't want to see constant split screens and be forced to choose a window to watch. Creativity comes in moderation, not overkill Mr. Lee.

Next, I want to address the story, or lack thereof, that surrounds the main characters: Bruce Banner (Eric Bana), Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly), and David Banner (Nick Nolte). The first hour of the film was mostly slow moving back-story that let us know that Bruce had repressed memories about a horrific incident from his childhood involving his mother and father.

Eventually, a lab accident (no he didn't get bit by a spider) caused him to change internally, setting off a genetically inherited abnormality that gave him enormous strength when he became angry. Only here, it wasn't like the television show. Instead of changing into a body builder like Lou Ferrigno, Bruce Banner changed into an impressive looking computer-animated giant, who besides having enormous strength, also hopped like a giant green frog. It looked overwhelming, but the human side of this not so gentle giant was barely visible.

If I had never seen a computer-animated character, maybe "Hulk" would have impressed me more. He was definitely far more realistic looking than most CGI characters to date, but he was dumped into a story that couldn't even support Bruce Banner's weight. At one point, to save Betty, the Hulk took on three genetically mutated mutts, ala "Resident Evil," only here it looked more ridiculous, not to mention that one was a mutated poodle. The film was filled with many moments like this, where out of place and unintentional humor was the only thing to pass the time, especially while listening to Bruce's crazy father's speech at the end. Nick Nolte, God help you.

In the end, "Hulk" was a forgettable film that was yet another example of the Hollywood marketing machine luring moviegoers into a summer movie that isn't even worthy of a Sunday night TV spot. My advice, save your money, this Hulk is green enough.

"Hulk" Review written June 19, 2003, CTF.

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