), is totally devoid of nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more humour. The Hulk wants to be taken ever so seriously despite the fact there isn't enough spandex in the universe to allow Bruce Banner to remain clothed after each of his transformations.
In seeking to be taken seriously the Hulk has raised the ante in the suspension of disbelief sweepstakes and miserably fails to cover the wager made. Most if not all of the problems originate with the script which, on the basis of the limited dialogue in the movie, appears to have been written on a large napkin. There are extended scenes in the Hulk where little or nothing is said. When the actors do speak they are forced to utter some of the most tired and trite observations possible.
The best example of this is the opening sequence. We are treated to the mad scientist (David Banner) silently experimenting with genetic codes. We know he's a mad scientist because 1) General Ross pounds his fists on Banner's desk and tells him he's done because he's been experimenting on humans 2) Banner then blows up the army base and 3) argues with his wife. I'm sorry, but if you want to be taken seriously and raise the subject of genetic manipulation and its potential consequences, you gotta do better than See Dick and Jane run dialogue.
Choosing to portray the Hulk seriously also requires getting other important details correct. Somehow, the Hulk is chased through the streets of San Fransico, by an entire Army division, without attracting the attention of one news helicopter. Indeed, except for the central characters in the movie, average citizens are apparently oblivious to the angry Un-Jolly Green Giant tearing up the city. This lack of mass hysteria is inexcusable in a film that purports to be a serious examination of its subject matter.
One bright spot in this film is that the special effects look better in the final movie than they did in the previews.
The Hulk, with its lack of humour and inflated sense of self-importance, is an oppressive and lifeless two plus hour film. Even the mostly dialogue free final act, a chase across California, fails to ignite the viewer's imagination or increase their pulse.
Running time - 138 minutes
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's Review
Daniel C. Kasman Review
Peter Travers / Rolling Stone Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
The Hulk Official Web Site
