Hulk Smash!!!

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2008)

OK, so I thought the Hulk (2003) was pretty good. It used comic panels for scene cuts and montages. It co-starred Jennifer Connelly, my all-time favorite actress ever since Labyrinth. It was cheesy, sure, but so are the comics, at least in the main. The rewrite of the Hulk's origin was pretty flimsy, what with the atomic dad and all. The special effects were great, in spite of a few minor flubs. The design philosophy of the Hulk himself was just bad, though. He was too slow, which was obviously a failed effort to portray his enormity. Overall, the whole thing came across like an old-school comic film: poorly. Mind you, I do own the DVD.
The remake was justified. Miss Connelly was sadly replaced by the over-rated Liv Tyler, which is just a damn shame. Betsy was given a much better role this time around, and deserved more art than little Liv has to offer. Good Dr. Banner, played in the last film by Eric Bana, was this time portrayed with some actual character by dear old Ed Norton. He looks much more the scrawny scientist part and brought some direly needed pathos to the role, as is his wont. I've heard some people declare with ill-deserved authority that the Hulk shouldn't have pathos, to which I can only reply, "Read more comics."
The visual effects are stunning, the character design of both the Hulk and arch-foe Abomination actually worked, and the combats were orchestrated with expert technique. Ang Lee totally flubbed that on the previous incarnation, which was rather a surprise. This Hulk is smaller, more like the raging greenskin of the seventies and eighties, which I frankly prefer. One of the great points about the Hulk was always his ability to conquer larger, seemingly stronger enemies with brutal will alone. Sure, he's big and strong, but biggest and strongest is frankly Superman territory.
While the plot and character development are much as one would expect, it really shouldn't be any other way. Hulk, after all, smash. I'm not one to throw a spoiler, but there's a bit at the end that's exciting to those of us who watch Marvel Studios with ever-growing anticipation, and this time it slipped in before the credits. There's also a lovely little scene in the wrap-up that should really thrill old-school Hulk readers who understand the unending search for mastery.
And I should also point out that Lou Ferrigno is looking good!
All in all, I would certainly recommend this one be seen in the theater. After all, it's no good to shrink the Incredible Hulk down to your little TV, even if it is a 70" Bravia.
For the points breakdown, I have to admit one star was lost with Jennifer Connelly. Yes, I like her that much. The other point was dropped for ambiguity. While it didn't bother me much, it seemed like more distinction was needed in the origin. Many viewers will wonder whether this is a remake or a sequel. Call it a remake. Please. The 2003 version was passable, but it has no place on the same continent as this one. Just dump it in the bin with X3 and Daredevil.
'Nuff said.