palabras RON HENRIQUES

As a Marvel Comics fan, while I was watching the new 'Hulk' movie, I felt as if this fictional universe was beginning to come together as a whole. 'The Incredible Hulk' isn't really a reboot, but a pseudo sequel to the first film that has no real beginning or end. That doesn't mean the story will continue with a third film, because although the conclusion leaves it open, you get the sense that Marvel Studios has even bigger plans in mind. Though it was met with much criticism by audiences, despite its success, the first 'Hulk' is one of those films where you appreciate what it presented you with upon subsequent viewings. I've always been a fan of the original, but even I admit, that director Ang Lee was trying to tell his own version of the Hulk with a more intimate story that didn't feel like a part of the Marvel Universe. Louis Leterrier is no Ang Lee, but is actually more adept at handling action having helmed 'The Transporter' movies and the Jet Li actioner 'Unleashed'. The latter film was actually a drama disguised as an action picture and that balance is what was needed to revitalize the Hulk story.

Picking up where previous star Eric Bana left off, Edward Norton assumes the role of Bruce Banner, a scientist forced to go on the run from the government who want to use the power he wields as a weapon. Five years earlier, Banner served as his own guinea pig in a radiation experiment that he was unaware was to be used for military applications. When exposed to dangerous "gamma rays" instead of dying from radiation poisoning it unleashed a power enabling him to transform into a colossal green giant when his emotions were aggravated. In hot pursuit is Banner's former colleague, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) , who just happens to be the father of Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) his collaborator and the love he was forced to leave behind.

Hiding out in Brazil while searching for a cure, Banner studies martial arts not for self-defense, but to keep his emotions under control. His search turns out to be short-lived when Ross and his military soldiers catch up with him and to escape he finds himself transforming into the powerful green giant known as "The Hulk". Leading Ross' team of soldiers is Russian born British operative Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) who after a series of defeats at the hands of The Hulk begins to take to assignment personally. In an effort to level the playing field, Blonsky takes Ross up on an offer to give him enhanced physical abilities with a top-secret serum that has been in government storage since World War II. Blonsky eventually proves to be a resilient adversary for the Hulk, but naturally his unnatural enhancement leads to dangerous side effects and a lust for greater power.

While in hiding Banner has been corresponding anonymously with a scientist who may be able to cure his condition. To alleviate him of his curse, the experiment will need to be recreated and the data needed may only exist in the care of his one true love, Betty. Contacting Betty again may not only be dangerous for her, but stir up emotions in Bruce and we all know what happens when he gets emotional. On top of that her activity is constantly monitored by her estranged father Ross as well as a secret yet familiar government agency known as the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.

I'm curious as to what the feud between star Edward Norton and the producers was really about, because 'The Incredible Hulk' turned out to be a pretty good movie. I did not become as emotionally invested in the characters or even the Hulk himself as I did with the original, but this film stands on its own as a piece of entertainment and the beginning of something bigger than itself. Norton was actually the ghost writer of this story and though it's rumored the picture has been re-edited, (including a missing arctic sequence glimpsed in the trailer) this film sets up the Hulk and the Marvel universe rather well. It's a love letter to fans, though unfortunately, those unfamiliar with the source material may see it as another chase movie where the hero ultimately must side with his pursuers to fight a common enemy. That enemy is "The Abomination" that Blonsky predictably becomes, and though his battle with the Hulk may seem familiar to monster moviegoers, its handled rather well and isn't just two creatures smashing each other around (in front of a faux Apollo theater on 125st.).

Norton's Bruce Banner is quite easy to identify with and though it takes a while for them to unite, his performance is enhanced by his interaction with Tyler, who proved in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy that she's more than just a pretty face. Having a giant green monster as a boyfriend invites humor and thankfully it's addressed head on. There's even a humorous scene where Betty wants to get physical but Bruce has to stop himself because he "can't get excited." William Hurt's "T-Bolt" Ross isn't as sympathetic as Sam Elliot's in the original and is actually more aggressive in his pursuit. He might be a good man, but even he is lying to himself about his intentions to use Banner's abilities as a weapon. As for Roth, he always makes a formidable villain and even before his metamorphosis, he gives Blonsky the flaws of a soldier with a huge chip on his shoulder.

There was criticism over the CG work rendered for the Hulk in the first film, where many felt it was unrealistic. (How realistic can a large mutated green man be?) The f/x industry advances every year and five years after the previous film, the new Hulk looks even meaner. Credit should go to the f/x artists who are basically creating the main character from scratch. This Hulk is indeed more beautiful to look at to the point where individual frames from his performance are works of art. He's also a deadly combatant in the fact that you can see him intelligently using his environment to defend himself. There are three major action scenes involving the creature and each is even bigger and more dazzling than the previous one. It's also enjoyable to see him gain strength from his anger and the deadly results that follow as well as Banner finally beginning to control him from inside . He also manages to emotionally connect with Betty as well as fit into the correct proportions he was in the comic book.

'The Incredible Hulk' delivers as an action film and a drama, but there are additional bells and whistles thrown in for the fans that enhance the material. The serum used on Blonsky originates from World War II and may be the same or a different form of the one used to create Captain America, who is slated to get his own feature soon. Some may find characters such as Doc Sampson (Ty Burrell) and Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) familiar as well as foreshadowing involving the creation of the super-intelligent criminal known as "The Leader". S.H.I.E.L.D. plays an important role in the plot along with the seeds for the formation of an "avenging" team of heroes. And then there's the infamous cameo involving the lead of the biggest box-office hit of the year so far.

Even Stan Lee and original Hulk TV star Lou Ferrigno get better cameos this time as well as that famous piano theme from the series. Plus, the late Bill Bixby can be spotted in an excerpt from "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" while Norton watches TV.

Whatever differences Norton had with the producers, I hope they don't rule out his participation in any more Hulk features. Sure the Hulk is the star, but like Robert Downey, Jr. did for 'Iron Man', Norton gives the green giant a soul and with that this franchise as well as the Marvel universe gets a much needed shot of adrenaline. The ball is in Marvel's court now that they have direct control over adaptations of their properties. If they keep up this level of quality, audiences will benefit gloriously.

via LatinoReview.com