Top 10 reasons to see The Incredible Hulk
This past weekend, I had the joy of seeing The Incredible Hulk. I came up with the top 10 reasons every geek should see this movie NOW. The top 5 reveal some spoilers…so read on with caution. Check it:
10. The musical score: Composed by Craig Armstrong who won a Golden Globe for Moulin Rouge! (2002) and a Grammy for Ray (2006), the soundtrack is moving and well matched to each scene.
9. Liv Tyler: She stole your heart in Lord of the Rings as Elven beauty Arwen Undómiel, and she will do so again as apple of The Hulk’s eye, Betty Ross. Jennifer Connolly didn’t do a bad job with this character in The Hulk (2003), but Tyler proves to be more believable and has more of that “comic-book girl” look.
8. Action-packed: Some of the fight scenes are the most amazing I have seen in a comic book film. If you liked the Magneto vs. X-men battle in Xmen: The Last Stand, the end battle in The Incredible Hulk is like that on steroids.
7. Good Direction: Louis Leterrier knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t have a number of blockbuster hits under his belt, but he definitely proves himself with this film. The story is told in a cohesive and entertaining fashion.
6. Location, location, location!: The Incredible Hulk was shot on location in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, New York, and various places in Canada. If you read the comic book, you know that The Hulk was constantly on the run. This was well depicted by a variety of landscape changes throughout.
*Warning: Spoilers ahead…Proceed with care!*
5. Cameos: Like every film by Marvel Studios, Stan Lee makes an appearance. The difference is that he actually has a speaking role, albeit minor. Also stopping by is the original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, and Iron-Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.
4. Taglines: “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!” You can bet your bippy that you will hear some classic Hulk phrases. I recognize some from Marvel vs. Capcom, but they are well timed and not corny.
3. The Abomination: Perhaps one of the best showdowns in Marvel comics is The Hulk vs. The Abomination. This massive villain usually had the initial edge because of his massive strength and size, but as the Hulk gets more angry, he proves to be an equal contender. Additionally, Tim Roth plays a mean Emil Blonsky.
2. CGI effects: Ang Lee’s 2003 attempt to produce this film was commendable, but one of the big issues was the technology available to create Old Green Skin. With advents in graphic design, it seems that The Hulk has arrived in the way he should be seen– in all his green glory. The movements were more realistic, as each movement was modeled by Edward Norton himself.
And the number 1 reason so see The Incredible Hulk is:
1. Edward Norton as Bruce Banner: Norton is known for his good acting as seen in American History X and Fight Club, but with this film he really stepped it up. Not only did he act, but he was known to re-work parts of the script (which he had a hand in writing) on the spot. Norton portrayed a pragmatic Banner, and captured each and every emotion with detailed facial expression.
I hope this list inspires you to get out there and enjoy this summer blockbuster. I leave you with the trailer, which just teases the awesomeness to behold!
I agree! Loved it! All good rerasons…
I saw the Hulk on Sunday and I like it much more than the first one. I like the way they skipped over doing another origin story and got straight into the chase stuff. I haven’t read the comics, but I did watch the TV series as a kid, and this movie had kind of a similar feel in places to what I remember as well as some awesome fight scenes and pretty great performances.
It seems like Marvel is really starting to prep for an Avengers movie. I think they’re also starting to get the hang of integrating their movies into the Marvel universe a bit more, which this movie did very well.
I also saw Kung Fu Panda this past weekend, if you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend it. It’s much better then the trailer lets on and the animation work is sweet.
thanks for the list. i WILL be seeing it!
Nice list.
My favourite tagline from the show definitely was “Hulk Smash”.
I saw it over the weekend too and it was great. I am now dying to see Iron Man so I can be caught up for the next one. Your geek-ness is rubbing off on me.
I find the CG in Ang Lee’s version a hell of a lot better. Letterier’s version lacked that extra polish to make it lifelike. But I will agree the movements were much more realistic.
I have to respectfully disagree with you on #9, but I completely agree with the rest. Although, you didn’t mention the “cameo” by Bill Bixby (ok, it was more of a shout out). One of my favorite parts.
I never really liked the Hulk comics, thought they were too repetitive. Now I’ll watch the movies, thanks to reasons 1-10!
PS- Captcha for blog comments, Neha?
I totally agreed and think it’s a great movie.
My favorite part was when they played some of the music from the TV show.
Me and my friend couldn’t stop laughing.
I am actually planning to watch the movie today… these just add to many more reasons to watch the movie.
Its not super great, I liked Tim Roth the best….He should of been # 1. But a decent movie…Better than the firts Hulk.
I saw the movie…it’s nice. Hats off to Neha for wonderful 10-factual reason roundup. However, like others I too got super-extra critic about the Hulk. This incredible Hulk had chiseled body (more toned) than the The Hulk’s massive bulk of muscles. Many fail to understand the humane side of incredible hulk. In movie, Bruce tries best to control his anger which is reflected in his energy level during the climax fight. Never read any Hulk comics but now would like to.
The Incrdible Hulk looks nice to me from your review, but most reviews are calling it unworthy of all the hype, so for catching action, I’ll wait for Hancock to release in July.
Great top 10, I totally agree with every point. The only reason I liked Iron Man a tad more was just that RDJ was the most unbelievably perfect casting for Stark. Norton does not loook as identical to his character as RDJ did. Even still, so good
I wrote an article right after I saw it aswell, http://thisaintnarnia.com/2008/06/the-incredible-edible-hulk/
Aren’t u forgetting the most important point…??
Its a big spoiler…but…
…the final seen hints of an Ironman vs. Hulk kinda sequence in future…AND…Hulk is finally in CONTROL of his powers…I mean..Green Eyes…and no transformation…!!
It seems..as if the movie is going to serve as the base for the next few HULK movies to come..
So basically its …Just the Beginning…!!…and this is the most important reason one can’t miss it..Hope you agree…:)
*one of your followers on twitter*..adios…