An “Incredible” Mistake

Marvel Comics has managed to produce several really great movies based on their comic book heros. The Spiderman and Ironman movies are great examples of likable ink and paper characters that are are able to make the transition to the big screen. They do this because the character developement is so deep that moviegoers are able to dismiss the special effects and embrace the heros. Moviegoers are able to disregard the impossibility of Peter Parker developing super strength and web-spinning ability. Moviegoers can also disregard that genius Tony Stark suffers a devestating heart injury and can only survive by installing a mini-reactor in his chest. The characters are likable and the special effects are fun. But then along comes the Incredible Hulk.

Never mind the first movie did so poorly and looked so terrible. According to The-Numbers.com, there was a seventy percent drop-off after the first week. Once the word got out that director Ang Lee’s movie stretched the CGI too far (The Hulk travelled by jumping from one mountain to another mountain, for instance) people just stayed home.

So what’s the next logical step when a movie does that bad? Well, you make a sequel, of course. And in the sequel, you make it look just as phony and unbelievable as the first movie.

It really is too bad. The Incredible Hulk could have been a great movie if the focus was put on David Banner’s inner struggle to control the beast within him. Less beast, more David Banner. Edward Norton is a very talented actor and has the ability to carry that load. But based on the trailers I’ve seen so far, they didn’t give him the chance to portray that tormented character the way he could have. So the Incredible Hulk–twenty feet tall, green and cartoon-looking, is back.

Don’t make him angry…he looks stupid when he’s angry.