Here is my spin and review:
The Cautions:
The moved is rated PG-13 that is mostly for the strong action and violence (duh! it’s the Hulk). On the sexual content: Bruce is shown in the shower from the side. There is one scene where Bruce & Betty are about to have sex but are stopped by Bruce’s heart monitor.
The Review:
I have only seen bits and pieces of the 2003 film, so I can’t judge in relation to that story. They started the movie with a wonderful back story montage as the opening credits. The film makers did an excellent job creating atmosphere. The locations in Brazil, Virginia, NYC, Canada and elsewhere were beautifully shot and the natural world is captured well also. The cast did a great job. Edward Norton & Liv Tyler do an excellent job portraying to characters who are smart, savvy and complicated. The supporting cast was great as well. Yes this movie is a set up for a sequel (another Hulk and/or the Avengers) but they still did character development. Bruce’s search for peace & a cure were well acted. Betty’s love for him and the ability to break through to Bruce in the Hulk were great. The visual effects were great. They made the Hulk look and feel real. There is a scene of the Hulk in the rain and it is stunning. I liked the movie not quite as much as Iron Man but very close.
Nostalgia/honoring the past:
The character of the Hulk has been around for a good while in comics, cartoons, and the TV show. The did a good job of bringing balance and cohesion to all those storylines. Homage is played to the tv series in the opening montage, a music que taken from the end of the tv show, and even the famous line “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry” (played with a twist. The even had a joke about the famous purple pants the Hulk wears. Plus we have a cameo of Lou Ferrigno
The inside stuff:
We see mention on computer screens of S.H.I.E.L.D. We see the name Nick Fury. We see a mention of Stark Technology. Tony shows up in the last scene to talk to the General and the banter about Stark’s hardware and great suits. Plus we have a plug for the Avengers. The character Samuel Sterns was set up to be come the villan “The Leader.” Doc Sampson was also set up. Along with the obvious Abomination. Some of the best was the talk about the WWII super soldier research (which created Captain America in the comics). That program and it’s off shoot (weapons plus which created Wolverine’s metal skelleton) are mentioned.
Summary:
It is a good summer move that did a good job balancing action, set up for sequils, and character. Check it out. Out of the 2 Marvel movies this summer I still like Iron Man best (b/c of how close to a Saul to Paul story it is).
