08.09.03
Film Reviews
I, along with a few others on B3ta people, have been given the opportunity to write reviews for Knockout Reviews. It should be a good chance to practice writing and something to put in a Uni application. They already had a Hulk review, so I’ll stick mine up here. With any luck I’ll get a chance to do lots more soon.
When I first heard there would be a Hulk film, I just dismissed it as an attempt to cash in on the comic book movie phase Hollywood was going through. I could digress on why these genre phases are good for the industry and bad for originality, but I have neither the time or ability. That and it would be wholly pointless. I then heard (well, read) that Ang Lee would be directing it, which I though was an odd choice for a summer action blockbuster film, but it wouldn’t really make any difference.
I was wrong, very wrong. I heard some good reviews from The Flick Filosopher and a few other people and decided to see it. Right from the beginning I knew it was special. The way the credit sequence fills you in on the back story is unlike anything I’ve seen before and I loved it (particularly the time-lapse parts). The cinematography is striking, the comic book split screen panels in particular. While not being new (see 24 and Spooks), the way it is used definitely adds to the character of the film. The CGI and other visual effects are well done, even if the idea of a 3 metre tall green monster is hard to believe. The fact that the Hulk is green is probably the biggest issue with believability that I had. There wasn’t enough contrast in the skin tones in my opinion, and that the flesh underneath is red (he gets wounded). Anyway, it looks amazing and the transformation sequence looks quite convincing.
It’s not all looks either. There is some very interesting character development, especially (and obviously) when it comes to Bruce Banner. The dichotomy of Bruce’s personality is interesting in the way that he not only repressed his memories of his childhood, but also his emotions and an entire personality. The Hulk is not just the result of a mutation, but all the emotions Bruce has refused to acknowledge. When he says he likes it (the transformation), it’s not just the power, but the ability to feel anger and rage once again.
My only complaint is that I’ll have to wait for the sequel.
This was originally written for the IMDb comments section, so it’s more personal and less objective. And really not very good, but I’ve learnt from this so the others will be better.