This hulk hits every mark!

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2008)

At first, I wondered why they were releasing this "adaptation" so quickly after the Ang Lee version. I hadn't recovered from that disappointment and didn't have much confidence the new movie would get it right, either. It was specially daunting, coming right behind "Ironman", but there some intriguing variables, most importantly, the fact that Edward Norton was playing our doomed scientist. Finally, I must admit that the new "Hulk" is everything a film of this genre should be: exciting, interesting, very nice to look, showing a range of emotions, and most importantly, it leaves you hoping there is a sequel really soon! The excitement never lets up in this one. From the introduction of the "hulk" when the original experiment goes awry. Later on, other pieces come together, and we understand how each of the participants contributed to the tragic transformation of our hero. It is the trademark of a good screenwriter than he is able to create multidimensional characters, without relying too much on narration or extended dialog pieces. Most of the information is delivered visually, through montages, and a couple of lines placed at the right moment in key scenes to recall past events. Some of the film is even told in a foreign language, and it doesn't seem to matter because it completes that particular chapter and adds truth to the scene.
In addition to being exciting, the film is a pleasure to watch, as we follow our hero through his odyssey from Brazil to Guatemala and back to the states. Great camera work adds plenty of mood to each scene. The director and cinematographer have seamless added special effects to a beautifully shot movie. Gone were my reservations about the look of the "monster" in the first film. This time, the new hulk is able to project his emotions without calling much attention to the FX. The Hulk is actually capable of showing a range of emotions ranging from desperation to anger, and it touches us.
It is also refreshing to see a love story in the middle of this action fantasy film. It gives every character a much need dimension that is usually missing from this type of adventures. The lovely Liv Tyler has amazing chemistry with Norton and fully supports the main character as he moves through his adventures.
And let's not forget that final scene... if i was craving a sequel from its opening scene, I couldn't restrain myself from gasping when I saw the guest star who shows up at the last minute to exchange a few words with the William Hurt character. I'm dying to see what happens next.