June 19, 2003

I have managed to see The Hulk three times and I’m still having a hard time finding the trigger…

My first instinct remains the same.  It could use a little trim. 

But man, once it gets going… well, that’s the thing… it gets going fast.  From the first drop of the opening credits to the amazing visual transitions between scenes to the intensely personal storylines to the dead on performances to the 90% spectacular CG work that brings this character to life… Hulk could be the best comic book movie ever made.  It is certainly the best-made comic book movie ever. 

Yet, there is the sense, when all is said and done, that there is no joy in Hulkville.  And intellectually, I know that is how it should be.  The Hulk is not a teen romp, like Spider-Man.  It’s not about a cool guy with a secret life, like Batman.  It’s not even a story that leaves the door open to a hot babe in tight leather and a crazed Irishman with Stonehenge branded on his forehead, like Crapdevil. 

Even in the comic books, where there is a bit less familial sturm und drang, traditional Hulk is a loner who lives on rage.  It’s one thing to be a blind guy who doesn’t realize that some fashion consultant in the East Village has him trussed up like a red Thanksgiving Gurnsey as he goes out to fight crime.  Bruce Banner just changes.  And only when he is in the worst possible mood.  His rage is his power and his weakness. 

Without making the analogy on CG terms, imagine a Lord of the Rings with Smeagal/Gollum as the main character.  How fun would that be?  Yet Ang Lee, James Schamus, John Turman and Michael France, etc., etc., etc. manage to bring a real depth of emotion to the fits of rage, even though two of the four major green freak-outs are prompted by your basic movie jackass/villain.  But even in the midst of those “you’re not going to like me when I’m mad, but you are going to punch me one too many times” hulkings, the other layers of the drama come into play.

Think about Batman.  The biggest betrayal in that series of films is when Alfred lets Vicky Vale into the Batcave.  Yawn.  In The Hulk, Bruce Banner never quite knows whom to trust and in turn, no one else really trusts himself or herself either.  Everyone has their armor, but no one is safe… not from The Hulk, but from themselves. 

The CG Hulk gets better and better through the movie.  His ability to emote is quite remarkable.  But far more thrilling is his battle with various mechanical machines of war.  Not only do the images have the feeling of reality – if you didn’t like the tank throw from the commercial, see how you feel about it when you actually get to see the tank land – but Lee and ILM have created a Hulk that fights in an earnest, earthbound way.  They might be the world’s most sophisticated weapons but it’s good to find out whether a $40 million helicopter can take a roundhouse punch to the gut. 

The extended chase-n-fight sequence in the third act is, for me, the showcase section of the film.  Over 20 minutes long, the sequence goes from laboratories to the open desert to the streets of San Francisco.  There are loads of surprises, which I am not going to give away.  But I will tell you without giving anything away that my favorite beat is right out of the slightly mis-titled, The Hulk Who Fell From Grace To The Sea. 

When I was driving my nephew to last night’s screening, he was asking about the supervillain.  I explained to him that this wasn’t that kind of comic book movie.  No Magneto, no Green Goblin, no Demi Moore.  I hadn’t really thought of it like that before, but it is true.  There is villainous behavior.  But there is no villain who can really compete with the raw power of the Hulk.  Only love can tame the beast within. 

Imagine if King Kong’s father made a deal with Carl Denham to take Kong to New York.  There is a subtler version of the created-for-the-movie “I made you.  You made me.” routine from the Joker/Batman relationship from the first film.  There is a definite fate thing between all four of the major characters, which seemed less pronounced in the comic book, even though the Betty/Thunderbolt Ross/Bruce Banner triangle was always there. But it’s not anything you would expect from a bing-bang CG comic romp.

In fact, it will be interesting to see how they come up with a sequel to The Hulk.  It’s not like they don’t leave the door open.  But this could become one of those franchises where the artistry of the first film outstrips the rest, but the lightened load of the sequels end up being the financial Holy Grail… and for many viewers, simply more fun. 

Here’s the problem… the only Hulk story to tell, without going camp, is about controlling the power of The Hulk.  This film is the ultimate example of that.  So where do you go?  The military has to be secondary or tertiary the next time.  Going back to the father-son thing seems wrong.  So what do you do?  Where do you put the Hulk after he’s been in so many interesting locations?  How do you find as rich an emotional source to tap?  It’s a tough nut to crack, even though word has it that Schamus is already at work on a story.

But back to your future… Ang Lee’s Hulk always comes back to the core.  But it’s not the CG.  It’s the emotion.  It’s the pain.  It’s the truth.  And Lee and Company deliver it in spades.  Of course you have to suspend disbelief a bit.  It’s a not-jolly green giant.  But if you choose to get on the ride, you will find a movie that could theoretically be done with Lou Ferrigno and still work… except the CG Hulk can really act.

I guess the end is the same as my beginning… I don’t know quite how to explain The Hulk.  So much startling genius work… so much dryness… so smart… so long… If I gave stars, it would be 3.5.  There is so much to see.  But does it hit you in the gut the way you want a great drama to hit you?  Well, I guess you will have to tell me. 

CHANGE OF TONE: Sony has turned tone to drama in its Hollywood Homicide ads.  Interesting.  I guess they finally figured out that no one wants to see a Harrison Ford buddy comedy.  Good luck with the strategy, guys.

READER OF THE DAY:  THE FEISTY D.A. writes:  “I know I might be over blowing things, but I find it interesting that there hasn't been an official MPAA rating listed for Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean", although the imdb lists it as PG-13.

The reason I find this interesting is that I cannot believe that Disney would allow this film to be released with a PG-13 given that they are very protective of the "Walt Disney Pictures" brand as alot of families count on the fact that the brand almost ensures a family friendly film. (They only started releasing PG films with the brand a few years ago, placing such obvious fare as "Roger Rabbit" and "Dick Tracy" with the Touchstone tag).  

That said, from the moment I saw footage from the film I always thought they have trouble getting a PG. And despite what you have stated what others have said, I believe that if this film gets a PG-13, it's gonna be one of the big bombs of the summer unless it delivers big time as having the Disney tag and the PG-13 rating is conflicting to alot of people. (The rating will drive away families and the Disney tag will keep the target teenagers away).

It'll be interesting to see what happens. Having the Disney tag on a film almost guarantees $10-20 million including the direct to video crap they have putting out, but that may change.”  

And this from THE TALL T:  “Lately I've been feeling a bit angry towards several people in Hollywood. To be specific, two people (maybe three): Spike Lee and Demi Moore.  My opinions of them are falling faster than Harrison Ford at being a $20 million opener.   

First, Mr. Lee sues TNN over using his name as exploitation for the network's once soon-to-be titled SPIKE TV.  What an arrogant, self-indulgent act on his part.  Where was Spike Jonze?  I didn't hear him complaining. Oh, that's right, because it's outrageous.  But maybe this was all a stunt for publicity.  I don't know.  I thought his last directing attempt was the weakest of his career.  Maybe he’s angry at himself, realizing just how bad his last movie was and he knows he's going downhill fast because he's lost his originality for storytelling.  Maybe. 

Maybe he just craves attention, like Ms. Moore.  Where was she?  Not in the spotlight or the cover of several magazines that hit newsstands a week ago.  That's right.  She was at home being a mother to her daughters.  But what's this, she has a new movie coming out?  A career comeback?  Time to make headlines and start a relationship with  Ashton "flavor-of-the-month" Kutcher.  Nice comeback move, Demi.  Let's see how long they both last.  And picking the Charlie's Angels sequel as the film, nice move.  Ugh. 

Meanwhile, I'm going to go watch the Japanese version of ‘The Eye’ at my local art house theatre before Tom Cruise butchers it for American audiences. 

Just had to get some things off my chest.  Feels good.  Unlike the ads for ‘From Justin to Kelly.’”  

E ME:  Smash?  Crush?  Fly?  You puny ROTDs!!!!