The Incredible Hulk

By: Richard Prodan

Preface: Went to the midnight showing of this movie. Don't know why I feel obligated to inform you of this but I do.

The Acting: Maybe its just for my love of Edward Norton, but i thought he was a brilliant cast for this role. Norton plays the re-imagined Bruce Banner and alter-ego The Hulk. He perfectly portrays the fleeting scientist that is both frightened and trapped by the power within him. Edward Norton's facial expressions and body language help convey a man who simply want to be alone and has gone to great lengths to achieve his solidarity, but also shows his simple physical and emotional need for Liv Tyler's, Betty Ross. Liv Tyler did what she needed to do. She helped move the story along and played the daughter of her love's (American) enemy. She was whiny at some times but wasn't terrible. I thought Tim Roth's power hungry soldier who longed to have the strength that he saw in the Hulk and was conveyed in his eyes. (I thought it was powerful to use the same sense.)

Story (Script) ***Attention Some Spoilers*** : I thought the script was solid. The beginning was very clever with the blood spilling in the drink to help locate where Bruce Banner was hiding. I didn't quited understand why Emil Blonsky was brought in from the UK to help capture Banner. I don't know why he just wasn't American, but moving on. I thought that the idea of creating a super soldier was a little worn out, especially after Iron Man that came out in the previous month. I did enjoy Blonsky's transformation into the super soldier that eventually became the Abomination and it wasn't just a one time thing. The action scenes were well scripted, the dynamic of Ross and Banner was enticing, and the evolution of the Abomination was exciting. There was some cheesy-ness in some obvious lines, but i was made up for. Also, giving the Hulk a voice really humanized him allowing people an easier stretch to identify with him. My only major disagreement was with the very last part of the last fight scene. (The fight between the Hulk and when Blonsky finally becomes the full Abomination.) It lacked a certain edge or power. Why let the villain live, he served his purpose, now move on. Of course I loved Stark's cameo pointing toward an Avengers movie (Which will come out after Iron Man 2 and Thor in 2010, and Captain America in 2011 to set up the whole team.)

Directing: Louis Leterrier's direction was very good. I think that with the script he was given, he created an action-packed movie with little slowing down. However when there was a slower moment, it was not boring. Leterrier used comedy and plot to keep the audience's attention. He very effectively used light and shadows on the Hulk to maintain his first appearance mysterious. His shots of the chase in Brazil were also very thrilling. The fight scenes were well done. I cant remember any particular moment that I thought had some bad directing.

Overall I give this movie a B+ for Edward Norton's acting, a solid script, and great fight scenes.