I'm Dreaming of a Green Hulk, Just like the One I Used to Know

In a recent review of "Iron Man" I detailed some of the elements I felt were necessary for a successful comic to film adaptation of Marvel characters. These included good casting, acknowledgement of the depth and inner conflict that characterized most of these classic characters and a recapturing of the adventurous spirit of the comic. While the 2003 Ang Lee "Hulk" did a fair job with number one, and a great job with number two, it really dropped the ball on Number Three. "Hulk" was an ambitious combination of metafiction, pop culture myth and psychological thesis, but ultimately it never delivered on the "fun" quotient of the Marvel success equation. The film centered so overwhelmingly on the Hulk's inner conflicts that it left almost no time for the type of iconic, fondly remembered all out action that helped to define the comic, particularly in the 60s and 70s.

I'm happy to report that "The Incredible Hulk" has learned the "Hulk"'s lessons, and while it doesn't skimp on the turmoil and angst of the protagonist, it wisely recalls and recaptures the television series' vicarious thrills and the comic's escapist fun.

"The Incredible Hulk" gives us a redux of the "Banner on the run" scenario of the 70's TV show, with Banner picking up odd jobs here and there while simultaneously searching for a cure to his affliction and trying to find ways to control it in the meantime. This Banner works in a Brazilian bottling factory as a laborer who helps out with maintenance on the side. During his off hours he practices meditation techniques to control his anger (and wears a pulse monitor to warn him of impending anger attacks), and communicates with a mysterious "Mr. Blue" who purports to be able to help cure him. He's tracked by General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt, who just keeps getting better with age), with whom Banner worked on government projects involving gamma radiation. But while Banner sought to help heal injuries, Ross wanted to use Banner's research to create super soldiers to greater assure America's military superiority. After experimenting on himself, Banner became inflicted with a condition that turned him into a raging green behemoth when he is angered or upset, and Ross blames him for the injury of his daughter (and Banner's co-worker/love interest), Betty Ross (Liv Tyler, whom I was a bit leery of but who plays Betty with a terrific mix of spunk, vulnerability and sexiness). As in the comic, Ross continues to pursue Banner to the ends of the earth, determined to control his "project" and protect his daughter from the danger that Banner represents. Banner seeks to keep the research data (and his own irradiated blood) out of Ross' hands and find a way to rid himself of his inner beast.

"The Incredible Hulk" succeeds on many levels, chief of which is its lack of pretension. While "Hulk" tried to delve into dark Freudian analysis, "The Incredible Hulk" is quite content with Lee's original "Jekyll/Hyde" template piggybacking onto a rousing good adventure and loving tribute to the television series. This is a "Hulk" that isn't afraid to include knowing references to the comic and TV show. Stars and characters of the old show are given a respectful tip of the hat; the late Bill Bixby is seen in a long old clip of "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", Ferrigno has a cameo as a pizza loving security guard, and there's even a "Jack McGee" character, this time a college kid who witnesses the Hulk's rampage. In fact the entire experiment that lead to the creation of the Hulk is a virtual mirror of the same scene in the TV show, old school tech and all. The beloved "walking away" music is heard briefly as well.

The film is also very willing to bit of comedy when appropriate; there are a couple of scenes that poke fun at the Hulk's wardrobe and his day to day struggle with anger. And unlike "Hulk" this film doesn't shy away from long protracted fight scenes, particularly a very pleasing (but admittedly brutal) climactic brawl between Hulk and "the Abomination", a rogue operative of Ross's who overdoes on Hulk blood and becomes something even more monstrous than the Hulk.

The movie mirrors the TV show in another, more crucial way. Just as Bixby's measured, believable performance grounded the series' otherwise outlandish premise and action scenes, so too does Ed Norton's portrayal of Bruce Banner keep the viewer centered on the human element at the heart of all this fantasy, that of a decent man trying simultaneously to control a dangerous element of his own personality and do the right thing by his fellow man while avoiding the clutches of an old enemy. Like Bixby's Banner, Norton's is intelligent, driven, noble and tragic. He's handsome enough to be a leading man, but not so "hunkish" (a la Eric Bana) that he dilutes the contrast between brain and brawn that's so crucial to this story. He's believable in the comic and romantic scenes, and his earnestness in the role lends him an authenticity that keeps the viewer focused on character even in the midst of wild action. It's an admirable stance, that of an established, renowned actor willing to take on a role that I'm sure many would have scoffed at, whether because of affection for the character or just out of an intuition of the potential of the story.

I saw "The Incredible Hulk" shortly after having a surgical/testing procedure that I was nervous about, but which turned out quite well. I was in the perfect mood for a film like this, one that hearkened back to a fondly remembered TV show from my youth, contained some excellent action and honestly funny comedic scenes, boasted strong acting and didn't take itself too seriously. It was a rare convergence of "what I needed" with "what I got". I think it was fitting that even the popcorn tasted particularly good