A pathetic attempt

Rating: 1/10 (27 July 2016)

I know that 2003 "Hulk" movie by great filmmaker Ang Lee didn't please the majority, some viewers even hated it. That movie was unusual, but in a good way! When I read that some changes were made to "improve" the previous movie, my reaction was totally negative, because I loved the first film, seeing it an artful masterwork, I love the way of Lee's storytelling and I didn't get bored even one minute! Therefore, I knew that the changes which were claimed by audience and seen as improvements would ruin the movie. It did actually for me. This Hulk movie is an entertainment popcorn flick which was made to please mass audience, especially incorrigible action fans and kids.
Eric Bana was a realistic portrayal of Bruce Banner. He doesn't do something breathtaking in the movie, but he was fine and flawless in the movie. They replaced him with Edward Norton. One of the greatest actors of all time, but as Bruce Banner? Are you kidding? It is like to cast Nicolas Cage for Superman or to cast Leonardo di Caprio as Bruce Wayne! I like Bruce Banner here because I love Edward Norton, but on the other hand, we don't watch a real Bruce Banner. It doesn't feel like he is actually Bruce Banner aka Hulk. Sam Elliott was great and perfect as General Ross. William Hurt is a master, but I didn't get used to him, I couldn't like him, I couldn't hate him, as a summary, I couldn't be impressed by this new character. Jennifer Connelly was fine and flawless like Eric Bana. She was realistic, but not boring. Beautiful and talented actress Liv Tyler's Betty is unbearably boring here. I just couldn't watch her honestly. This movie has a serious casting problem. Tim Roth as a special team leader with some abilities? This must be a joke! I hate that some really talented character study actors are involved in action movies as action stars or villains. Remember Adrian Brody? However, vice versa is fine. An action star in an art film sounds exciting!
The first twenty minutes of the film is like a Jason Bourne movie or a new Die Hard sequel! Entertaining to watch, but wait, this is a "Hulk" movie! This is a comic book movie! The first twenty minutes of the film is suitable for a spy action thriller rather than a super hero movie, but that's OK due to some nice action and chase. The first action scene of Hulk is interesting and it was acclaimed by even some critics, but since the director hides Hulk from us, I didn't like that scene either. Maybe, technically, it looks little stylish, but not a big deal.
The relationship between Bruce and Betty is pathetic. It is extremely boring, uninspiring, cliché and unrealistic. It feels like it was made for an episode of soap opera! Also, Hulk is like a manly, but naive boy here. He tries to protect the girl who he loves! the relationship between Betty and her father is almost ridiculous because of theatrical tone. Because, this movie is an ordinary, crowd-pleaser popcorn entertainment, but a really mediocre one! All the character motivations, damsel in distress situations, decision moments and actions are formulaic, so predictable. The action sequence in the park is the most entertaining one in the movie, I have seen it dozens of times, it is pure fun, but nothing special. If we think about Ang Lee's craftsmanship by combining art with entertainment together and stylish action scenes with the help of some brilliant editing work, "The Incredible Hulk" falls short. By the way, it is possible that people may like the new appearance of Hulk, a grayish green color, a wrinkled skin, a naive monster who shouts "Hulk smash!" almost with no intelligence etc. Hulk is not a little kid playing with toys. This is really an insult to this great character.
The climactic final showdown in the city is a shame for CGI. Such cheesy visual effects and very poor CGI in some moments make the movie look like a computer game! The first movie was not boring, but slowly moving. This movie, however, was very boring other than the action scenes with the pathetic love story and some terrible CGI. In the second half, this movie can be labeled as a monster movie also, but a boring one with poor effects and some poor writing. After Ang Lee's smart, deep and powerful transformation story including a father son clash, but this must be for kids! Hulk is like a monster with little brain here and this must be an insult for our brains. Betty is in every action scene and mostly she cries! What an annoying piece of idea! Because it kills the suspense. Some people claim that Hulk is the strongest here, but I felt just the opposite. It was the first time for me to worry about Hulk getting hurt. Overall, this is a slightly enjoyable action film, but a really terrible super hero film!