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Hulk [2003]
![Hulk [2003]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PCR3J6E0L._SL160_.jpg)
The long first act is enlivened by comic book-style split-screen effects and multiple foreshadowings--Lee keeps finding excuses to light Bana's face green--but is also absorbing personal drama from the man who gave you The Ice Storm before flexing his action muscles on Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. When Banner begins his Jekyll-and-Hyde seizures, the ILM CGI boys step in and use Bana as a template for the most fully-realised digital characterisation yet seen in the movies. Comics fans will thrill as a credibly bulky, superswift, super-green behemoth tangles with mutated killer dogs (including a very vicious poodle) in a night time forest, bursts out of confinement in an underground secret base, takes on America's military might while bouncing around a Road Runner and Coyote-like South Western desert and then invades San Francisco for some major "Hulk... smash" action. Artful and entertaining, engaging and explosive, this is among the most satisfying superhero movies. On the DVD: Hulk two-disc set doesn't quite hulk-out as well comparative Marvel movie releases for the X-Men films, Spider-Man and Daredevil. Disc 2 assembles a pile of those infotainment documentaries prepared to drum up pre-publicity but which feel a bit redundant once the movie is out, especially since there's so much repetition between the featurettes. It's all very well, and some of the technical stuff is fascinating, but this particular film could do with a more in-depth thematic approach: there's a lot about how the CGI Hulk was realised but little on the development of the story, the performances or the general tone, though Ang Lee's slightly sparse commentary makes interesting stabs in that direction. The biggest revelation in the background material is that Lee, known for his delicacy of touch, himself wore the motion capture suit and smashed up plywood tanks as a guide for the CGI animators. --Kim Newman
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.22 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Amazingly, Ang Lee's Hulk makes a fair fist of pleasing everybody. The latest in a run of Marvel Comic-to-film transfers, it acknowledges the history of a character who dates back to 1962 while recreating him in contemporary terms. Though this, Hulk's origin still draws on the 1960s iconography of bomb tests and desert bases, this new take mixes gene-tampering with gamma radiation and never forgets that poor Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) has been psychologically primed by a mad father (Nick Nolte) and a disappointed girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly) to transform from repressed wimp to big green powerhouse even before the mad science kicks in.
Editorial
Special Features
Editorial
Synopsis
THE HULK, adapted by Ang Lee (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON) from the Marvel comic book series, stars Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, the tormented scientist whose temper periodically transforms him into a raging green monster. Fellow scientist and Hulk-love-interest Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly), shares a strange connection with Banner--both have abstract childhood nightmares that hint at a shared dark past. The missing pieces of the puzzle are revealed when Banner's unstable, mad-scientist father David (Nick Nolte) appears out of the blue, followed by Betty's father Ross (Sam Elliot), a military cowboy. Banner is ultimately trying to understand what it is that makes his strange and unpredictable metamorphosis occur, while his outbursts distract him, leading him out into the streets of San Francisco, to the Golden Gate Bridge, and on a tour of the American west's national parks where he unleashes his anger in violent tantrums. A threat to the country that is treated like a natural disaster, the military is quick to respond, chasing the Hulk with helicopters, machine guns, and even heavy artillery, as he bounds away in mighty leaps, trying to escape. The CGI work used in creating the Hulk is funny and convincing, and the gorgeous landscape photography makes his presence all the more amazing. A vibrant color scheme adds to the film's visual thrills, split-screen editing breaks up the slower scenes, and the music by composer Danny Elfman perfectly punctuates the contrast between the soft love story and wild action sequences. While parts of the film recall the introspection of FRANKENSTEIN, the outrageous crowd-pleasing monster-military chases hearken back to KING KONG and the GODZILLA movies.
Puny Movie!
Review date: 2008-07-16 Rating: 6 out of 10
When David Banner (Paul Kersey) hits a road block with his experiments, he begins experimenting on himself. Unfortunately, his altered DNA transitions to his new son, Bruce as well. When things go wrong on the military base where he works, he is arrested and Bruce is sent to a foster home.
Fast forward 30 years, and we find Bruce (Eric Bana) working with Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly). They are experimenting with gamma rays, hoping to prove that they can be used to help the human body heal. But then Bruce is exposed to an unusually high dose. He soon discovers that when he gets angry, he turns into a big green monster.
Naturally, this catches the attention of people. Specifically, Betty's estranged father, General Ross (Sam Elliot), wants to destroy The Hulk. And there's the mysterious man who claims to be David (now played by Nick Nolte) who wants to duplicate the process. Will Bruce get his wish to be left alone?
I know I called this a puny movie in the title, but in reality, it isn't all bad. The underlying story is interesting and emotionally engaging. Most of the acting is good, especially Jennifer Connelly who was amazing as Betty. The special effects weren't perfect, but they worked. And I really enjoyed the split screens used at times to simulate the comic book look.
On the other hand, the pacing of the story was off. The back story involving David provided some nice emotional moments but slowed things down. And the fight scenes in the second half went on too long. Cutting out half an hour from these sections would have made a much better movie. Nick Nolte was too out there in his acting as the aged David. Every time he was around, I was annoyed.
I'd had several friends warn me away from the movie. It wasn't as bad as they said. But it wasn't that good either.
Similar Products
- Spider-Man [2002]
- Daredevil - Single Disc Edition [2003]
- Spider-Man 2 [2004]
- Hellboy [2004]
- Elektra [2005]
Reviews
worth the buy
Review date: 2008-07-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
though i prefer ''the incredible hulk'' 2008 story line to this one,but I prefer the hulk in this movie cause it sticks to the comics book side of things. in this movie the hulk gets bigger the more he gets angry just like the comics,he can jump up to 3 or 4 miles in a single leap just like the comics and he can cove up to speeds of 300 MPH and one more thing he could also lift up to 100 tonnes while the 2008 version of the hulk is slower than it should be (Mentally and physically). he can only basically list a car while the 2003 hulk could launch a tank 1 mile across the desert. so basically the 2008 story line is better but the 2003 Hulk is better so I would say both films are even.
It could have been so good, but it all went a bit mental.
Review date: 2008-06-21 Rating: 6 out of 10
With a fairly solid cast, Danny Elfman in charge of the music, and a long history behind it - there was no excuse for Hulk to not be a great film.
But this is maybe what let the film down, it feels too polished, overly fake. There's a promising start but it soon gets silly and you struggle to maintain any belief in the characters; what's with the crazy monster dogs?!!
There's a slow pace to the film, and a slow pace is what was required to develop the characters, but instead it was used to further the farce. The Hulk was always more than just a big green beasty, it was a deep story about a man's struggle with what he has become. The TV series managed to capture that, but this film doesn't. You simply don't identify with the too-cool-for-school glamorous cast, you're distanced.
In a nutshell: Yes there are some good action scenes and the Danny Elfman score is excellent - but the film doesn't capture the spirit of the franchise it was meant to kick start. The second attempt looks to be more on the mark - but time will tell! The additional features initially looks impressive, but they are essentially promotional material for the main feature, the documentary about Ang Lee is a tad sycophantic and by the end of it you don't doubt that everyone on set thinks he's great, even if this film was pretty average. For something with such a dedicated fan base, some more meaty bonus features would have been a common courtesy!
Nods to the TV show are a nice touch, and the comic book style frames are a reminder of where this hails from, but ultimately the film was a victim of it's own over-hype. Still, it managed to sell the related child orientated merchandise by the (plastic green Hulk shaped) bucket load.
This film is garbage
Review date: 2008-06-21 Rating: 2 out of 10
Absolute garbage, hence the need to get Edward Norton to salvage any possibility of a movie franchise in the new "The Incredible Hulk". This film is really, really, really bad, Seriously!!! Do not buy, it made me cringe while I was watching. It's like an early 90s B movie (except it's not!!!!). Words cannot describe how embarrassingly bad this film is
Better than the Incredible Hulk
Review date: 2008-06-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
After going to see Marvels second feature film about the comic book character the Hulk" The incredible hulk" last night id like to ask Marvel and the studio concerned why they thought it was necessary to make another film about the hulk, Ive got to say the film was a complete mess apart from the beefed up hulk cgi which was great.
It all highlighted just how bad the first film wasn't.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Eric Bana|Jennifer Connelly|Sam Elliott
Creators:
Eric Bana|Jennifer Connelly|Sam Elliott (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 4 Front Video
Manufacturer: 4 Front Video
EAN: 5050582107579
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-11-17
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003-06-20
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)