After being bombarded with a massive dose of gamma radiation while saving a young man's life during an experimental bomb testing, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner was transformed into the Incredible Hulk: a green behemoth who is the living personification of rage and pure physical strength.
Today, I didn't have much to do, so I decided to watch both Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk again. Both films are part of the Avengers continuity being established by Marvel Studios.
Everybody talks about how great Iron Man was. It's being considered to be one of the greatest comic book based films ever, and rightfully so. The movie is amazing. Ever since they announced they are making the sequel, everybody's been talking about it, again, rightfully so.
But I personally feel The Incredible Hulk is being neglected. I think the vast majority, dare I say everyone, loves Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. The guy was great. We all wish to see him continue in the role.
But where Iron Man had enthusiasm and determination from its cast and crew, to the point of going straight into the sequel after the first film, The Incredible Hulk was the opposite. I can say Louis Leterrier is actually very willing to continue working as director (something I strongly advise they do), but the entire Norton/Marvel situation has left us all in a mystery. And I say it's VERY unfortunate for the fans, especially those who enjoyed him as Banner.
Watching the film again today, I have to say, it's amazing. The story is very well put together. The film is VERY well cast. Despite the cast being big named hollywood actors, they do such a great job that you buy them as those characters. The visual effects are beautiful. Both Hulk and Abomination blend in well with the surroundings. The scene where Hulk stands face to face with Emil Blonsky in the open forest, you can believe that it's real. Not to mention they leave an opening for a sequel with Samuel Sterns turning into Leader (another who is very willing to reprise his role). Another great opening for the sequel is in the end where Bruce Banner is able to control when he turns into Hulk. It would be great to watch a Hulk film where he isn't just a brute, but has control and intelligence.
I have to say that I can understand Norton's frustration when I watch the deleted scenes. I can see that they add more structure to the story and give it more depth. But the final product was great nonetheless.
I just think it's very unfortunate that things aren't as assuring with this franchise as it has been with Iron Man. I truly believe that they had a lot of room for a sequel before the Avengers film. It would also help develop more into the big team movie, which I have to say would feel a lot more complete with Hulk in it.
Last we heard, Norton basically said "no comment" and added that it's because Marvel is a company that likes to keep its secrets and he wouldn't want to say anything they wouldn't want the public to know. That comment can leave a fan to wonder. Then word spread that Norton is going to cameo in Iron Man 2 as Banner. That can only be speculation and maybe a flat out lie to get people talking because there has not been any type of confirmation or announcement from anyone officially tied up to Iron Man 2. I can say that if there is truth to Norton returning as Banner in Iron Man 2, it can be a promising and comforting thing for a fan like me.
In conclusion, I LOVE The Incredible Hulk film and truly wish that the same cast returns for more films much sooner than later.
Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to get that off my chest. My bulging super human chest!!!!
I think everyone's onboard, at least as it stands right now. Its only speculation on my part, but I'll bet that the silence from all sides is due mostly to all the misunderstandings between the cast and production staff during the theatrical run. Remember, Lettier recieved some heat from fans after he said there was a Cap' cameo in the intro., and the studio pulled it because they felt that intro was too dark. After The Dark Knight, which I saw alot of parents mistakenly take their kids to see, I think that's not such a taboo way to open the film as it once was. After Watchmen, nothing's really out of bounds, as long as it stays PG-13. Remember all the robot violence and bad language in the Transformers sequel? I know more than a few people who weren't happy about it, one of which wasn't a parent! They simply felt that it wasn't appropriate, considering that the whole franchise started with children's toys. Honestly, I think the suits at Marvel need to let go of some reservations they have about content in future movies. Remember, for a long time, Avi Arad was producing cartoon shows licensed from Marvel properties (and still is, to a certain extent). With all that being said, when you get down to the comics themselves, even back to the 60's, when Stan Lee really cut loose with story ideas, Marvel published some heavy content. Spider-Man was orphaned, his uncle was killed due to a personal mistake he made, and Gwen Stacy, his first love, died by his own hand. Sure, Osborn tossed her off of a bridge, but she died when he caught her. Tell me you wouldn't blame yourself for that! Then, in the 80's, Tony became an alcoholic. Cap' was told to get in line...or else. The bottom line is that Marvel movies will usually have some heavy subject matter in them, so the suits shouldn't get squeamish about these heavy topics.
I disagree. It's too soon for that to happen. But I agree 100% with the topic of this thread. Incredible Hulk was a great movie and I hope Edward Norton reprises the role in future films.
I like the Incredible Hulk. Way better than that Ang Lee crap. There were a few things Ang Lee did right ( like 2 things, I like the paneled layout of the screen at points) , but for the most part it was a cinematic abortion. I've seen porn with better plots.
Norton probably felt like he got dicked around. People were expecting so much from that movie that they were disappointed. Its a movie about a dude that had an accident in a lab, now when he gets mad he turns green and smashes crap. Intellectually, Its not exactly a John Updike novel. Hell, its not even up to Judy Bloom's level either. It seems like a lot of movie scripts only go through the first draft anyway. A lot of producers are hell bent on having their input in the film and not giving a crap what the director wants. (See "An Evening with Kevin Smith" when he was working on a script for Superman.) One of my friends said it was stupid how the US Army fought Banner at a University. Well it wasn't that impractical, one of the guys following Banner blew his cover and they didn't have much choice. I don't know where he would have wanted them to fight.... the Colosseum? The Drive thru at Wendy's?
So I thought T.I.H. was decent, they have a lead in for The Leader and got the Hulk CGI pretty much down.
" I like the Incredible Hulk. Way better than that Ang Lee crap. There were a few things Ang Lee did right ( like 2 things, I like the paneled layout of the screen at points) , but for the most part it was a cinematic abortion. I've seen porn with better plots. Norton probably felt like he got dicked around. People were expecting so much from that movie that they were disappointed. Its a movie about a dude that had an accident in a lab, now when he gets mad he turns green and smashes crap. Intellectually, Its not exactly a John Updike novel. Hell, its not even up to Judy Bloom's level either. It seems like a lot of movie scripts only go through the first draft anyway. A lot of producers are hell bent on having their input in the film and not giving a crap what the director wants. (See "An Evening with Kevin Smith" when he was working on a script for Superman.) One of my friends said it was stupid how the US Army fought Banner at a University. Well it wasn't that impractical, one of the guys following Banner blew his cover and they didn't have much choice. I don't know where he would have wanted them to fight.... the Colosseum? The Drive thru at Wendy's? So I thought T.I.H. was decent, they have a lead in for The Leader and got the Hulk CGI pretty much down. "
1st of all, the ang lee movie was not crap, it actually stuck more to the comic thank you.
" I like the Incredible Hulk. Way better than that Ang Lee crap. There were a few things Ang Lee did right ( like 2 things, I like the paneled layout of the screen at points) , but for the most part it was a cinematic abortion. I've seen porn with better plots. Norton probably felt like he got dicked around. People were expecting so much from that movie that they were disappointed. Its a movie about a dude that had an accident in a lab, now when he gets mad he turns green and smashes crap. Intellectually, Its not exactly a John Updike novel. Hell, its not even up to Judy Bloom's level either. It seems like a lot of movie scripts only go through the first draft anyway. A lot of producers are hell bent on having their input in the film and not giving a crap what the director wants. (See "An Evening with Kevin Smith" when he was working on a script for Superman.) One of my friends said it was stupid how the US Army fought Banner at a University. Well it wasn't that impractical, one of the guys following Banner blew his cover and they didn't have much choice. I don't know where he would have wanted them to fight.... the Colosseum? The Drive thru at Wendy's? So I thought T.I.H. was decent, they have a lead in for The Leader and got the Hulk CGI pretty much down. "
1st of all, the ang lee movie was not crap, it actually stuck more to the comic thank you. "
And Second of all???? You can't just say "1st of all!" and only say one thing. Saying "first of all" infers that you have a multitude of things to say, or at least 2.
Sigh, we could get into this but its all opinions. I'm pretty sure the Nick Nolte water-demon/obsessives loser father isnt in the books, at least I hope not.That would be sad. Also Hulk was 4 different sizes.I rode my f'n bike in the pouring rain to see that movie in theaters (my license was revoked), and if there weren't a few flashes of Jennifer Connelly through out the film I would have set the theater ablaze. That movie was intirely disappointing. The scenes with Nick Nolte were some of the worst moments in movie history.
Also TIH was a tribute to the long running Lou Farrigno(sp) and Bill Bixby series.
Next time you make a dookie in the toilet, don't flush it! Go get some green food coloring. It will be a better use of time than watching Ang Lee's Hulk.
Incredible Hulk was oustanding, loved the whole thing and the nod towards the TV show to Great stuff. The only good things about the Ang Lee one is Jennifer Connelly and the scenes where Nick Nolte is swanning about being awsome because thats all he does to be fair, well until he becomes fail Electro then the whole show buys the farm.
" Incredible Hulk was oustanding, loved the whole thing and the nod towards the TV show to Great stuff. The only good things about the Ang Lee one is Jennifer Connelly and the scenes where Nick Nolte is swanning about being awsome because thats all he does to be fair, well until he becomes fail Electro then the whole show buys the farm. "
I 100 % agree with you on Jennifer Connelly and Nick Nolte's speech before the final battle
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