One of my favorite sayings is the only thing worse than a bad movie is a sequel to a bad movie. If you don't believe me, watch "The Matrix Reloaded" or "Tomb Raider 2."
However, "The Incredible Hulk" is the exception to the rule. This was a huge improvement over the big green turd that Ang Lee laid some five years ago. Also, it was more a reboot than a sequel, kind of like the folks at Marvel asked for a mulligan.
Among the improvements:
1. They cast a better actor as Bruce Banner (Edward Norton)
2. Vastly improved special effects... The Hulk no longer looks like a pissed off Gumby. He is a lot more realistic and detailed. He is smaller, and more muscular, and more true to the comic book than the Hulk from the first movie. Also, he convincingly blends in and interacts with the scenery and cast. Check out the scene where it is raining and water is falling off him.
3. More than 10 minutes of action.
4. No long, lingering shots of plants or wildlife in the woods.
5. Has the semi-playful tone of a comic book and doesn't take itself too seriously.
6. No CGI mutant dogs.
7. No Nick Nolte.
8. Various homages to the comic book and the television shows. Unlike other movie critics and even the previews, I won't spoil the surprises here.
Overall, a good solid popcorn movie. Not quite a home run, or even a solid triple like "Ironman." The film could have developed the characters a bit more, and there could have been a little more humor. This is more of an action-centered movie than a character-centered movie, and I think we should have been given a chance to get to know the characters and their motivations a little bit better. Supposedly, Ed Norton was fighting for a longer movie with more quiet moments, but the powers that be put the kibosh on that because they wanted to distance this movie as much as possible from the first "Hulk," which is understandable. If I was a movie producer, I might have said the same thing.
Still, the positives clearly outweighed the negatives. The action scenes were well-staged and directed. Kudos to director Louis Letterier. Slow-motion shots were effectively used, and they were not overused, so they didn't become gimmicky.
Audiences seem to agree. The movie made a respectable $54 million last weekend, and it scored well in audience polls. Hopefully, the word of mouth will be good, and the movie will have some staying power, because Marvel wants to do another sequel if this film is successful. I would love to see a sequel, because that would be the perfect opportunity to address the character development issues I brought up.
Congrats to Marvel Studios, who is 2-for-2 this summer. I agree with my brother's blog that this allows more freedom than ever to create the Marvel Universe on screen, and allow for the opportunity to use characters in multiple movies, or use several characters in the same movie, such as in the upcoming Avengers movie, due in 2011. They just have to make sure no more stinkers, like "Ghost Rider," slip through the cracks.
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