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Hulk (Widescreen 2-Disc Special Edition) (2003)

Hulk (2003)

A film directed by Ang Lee

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'Hulk' is more than meets the eye.

Jun 20, 2006

by MzJen_2_review

Rating:

True the movie starts slow, with admirable character development. By the time the Hulk appears, every one's motivations are known with each personality sharply distinguished. I have to admit that I was taking aback on how he look on screen. Alot of people describe him as "Shrek on Steroids" or "Angry Shrek," which I don't blame them because that's not the way we know the Hulk.

Ang Lee loves showing humanity and human frailty in his stories as he has done exceptionally in EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, THE WEDDING BANQUET, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, THE ICE STORM and BROKEBACK MOUNTIAN. We discover the hidden story lines, the human aspects that can be just as interesting as the action. We discover that Bruce and Betty have both had fathers that they could never count on (that's probably what brought them together). We see David Banner and General Ross not primarily as power hungry males, but as caring fathers as well. We experience Bruce Banner's awkwardness and inability to express himself adequately, which makes us understand all the more why he begins to `enjoy' transforming into his raging alter-id. Most viewers aren't used to seeing Hulk in this way, a deep and sensitive character, and probably expected more action and enemy-smashing and less deep dialogues running after child traumas... Which could explain its relatively low rating and some bad critics.

Though it's true that the Hulk doesn't appear until 45 minute into the movie, once he does, the action hardly stops. Sure there are scenes of destruction, but they are calculated, punctuating turning points in the movie, instead of bombarding the audience as mayhem in others. The backdrops upon which these action sequences are set upon are good. The battles rage from an underground base, to the vast majestic Monument Valley landscape, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge and even to the very stratosphere. I can still vividly recall Images of the Hulk clashing with `hulk-dogs' in the California Redwood forests and him being chased by helicopter gun ships in a concave rock formation in the Arizona desert.

Easily enough I connect myself with this film because I saw the elements of it which was taken independently. I've also seen the merits of it and it's all togetherness creating a solid production. I just wish people would concentrate more on enjoying this different view of a superhero's life. But oh well, each one has different tastes.

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More Hulk (2003) reviews

review by FM_ALEX. August 16, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

CHARACTER DRIVEN FILM DESERVES CREDIT

HULK People hate this film and honestly I don't know why, seriously I have no clue what the problem is. I will agree that this movie is not a classic but I really feel like every time I see it I have watched a truly entertaining film. I think this film is a lot like the comics or at least a lot like some versions of the comics, and it is really a great story. I think that this film has a lot of heart which is unusual for this type of film, most … more

Comments (6) Compliments (48)

review by TheJohn. August 04, 2010

HULK SNORE!!!!

You know, screwing up the Hulk is like messing up instant pudding. With pudding, pour mix into a bowl, add milk, stir, let cool and then eat. Hulk is a guy who when he gets mad, grows into a 10 foot green monster of a man who's super strong, can leap into low orbit and has boundless rage once he gets going. It's a big green monster who smashes up anything in his path. How do you mess that up? Well heres one way to do it. I would love … more

Comments (6) Compliments (39)

Quick Tip by TheJohn. August 05, 2010

A Quick Tip by TheJohn

Sleep inducing and arty piece of a comic hero that should be anything but. When the action starts, it's good but otherwise, pull up the blankie and pillow

Comment Compliments (3)

review by MichaelN. April 29, 2009

Could Have Been a Great Movie!

What could have been a great movie, slogs through the first hour at an excruciatingly slow pace. Very weird directing where the screen splits into four different scenes, does more harm than good. Bruce Banner, a child of parents that lived in a military base that tested nuclear devices like Los Alamos, grows up to be a scientist too. When he is exposed to a dose of gamma radiation, the genetically mutated cells in his body go crazy and he is transformed into the Hulk using Shrek-like … more

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review by NicanorJourney. June 13, 2008

Hulk (2003)

4.5/5 stars "Hulk" 2003 is very different from what you would expect from a typical summer popcorn creature-feature. From the advertising campaign it appeared to be a mindless special effects extravaganza with little to no plot whatsoever; AKA Summer Fun. For those who went to see it with that mindset it was undoubtedly a not so pleasant surprise. Most of whom who saw this on its initial theatrical release obviously had not foreseen Ang Lee's philosophical drama, and they … more

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review by vemartin. May 12, 2004

posted in Movie Hype

The Hulk; Wheres the Humanity?

Pros: Special effects Cons: Special effects, acting The Bottom Line: The Hulk suffered from an over use of computer aided graphics, and it destroyed the movie for me. I like my heros powerful, but somewhat human thank you. Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie''s plot. As a young boy growing up in middle, well okay lower middle America, I dined on a regular menu of Marvel Comics. My favorites were … more

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review by MichaelN. February 05, 2004

posted in Movie Hype

You're Better off Buying the old TV episodes!

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review by rmurray847. December 17, 2003

An honorable failure

Ang Lee is a great director...let there be no doubt. CROUCHING TIGER, ICE STORM, SENSE & SENSIBILITY. All TRULY outstanding films. So it comes as no surprise that he would try to bring greatness to a genre little familiar with greatness...the movie comic / superhero genre.On many levels, Ang Lee did a great thing. He attempted to REALLY delve into the emotional angst of his characters...to show use in a "believable" manner how Hulk could have come into being. The opening credits for the movie are … more

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review by kfontenot. November 11, 2003

posted in Movie Hype

Don't get me sleepy. You wouldn't like me when I'm.....zzzz

"Hulk" was a disappointment. I hate to say it, but it's true. This movie had so much potential, but it fell flat from the word go. The story dragged on for what seemed like a lifetime, and Ang Lee's comic-style editing became annoying after the first few minutes. The highpoint of the movie is, of course, the Hulk. If you are blessed with a DVD player, simply skip over the parts that don't include a CGI graphic, and you'll have a good time. Eric Bana didn't win me over as Bruce Banner, and as much … more

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review by garethvk. June 17, 2003

posted in Movie Hype

A Big Green, bloated and dull mess!

Pros: Not Much Cons: Bad acting, boring script, dull action. The Bottom Line: A bloated excess of a film that is not only a waste of the fine talent, but a dull waste of time. Raging inside Dr Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) is a monster waiting to be unleashed. Anyone familiar with the comic book or the TV series that starred the late Bill Bixby will be familiar with the setup of “Hulk” the new film version of the classic … more

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see all Hulk (2003) reviews (11)

About the reviewer

Jen-Jay AKA:JJI (MzJen_2_review)
Ranked #89

Married into the military for over a decade and it does has itpros andcons. The lifestyle is great and Ido enjoy it. I'm able to do things and see things that I thought I wouldn't dream of. My kids loves … more

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About this movie

Wiki

When the Hulk gets angry, his movie gets good, so you wish he'd get angry more often. Accepting this challenge after the triumphantCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, director Ang Lee has created an ambitious film, based on the Marvel comic created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, that succeeds as a cautionary tale about mad science and traumatized children coping with legacies of pain. That's the Hulk's problem: After accidental exposure to gamma radiation, scientist Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) turns into the huge, green, and indestructible Hulk when provoked, and repressed childhood memories fuel his fury. Hobbled by the obligatory "origin story" (to acquaint neophytes with the character's Jekyll-and-Hyde-ish fate), there's room for little else in a sluggish film that struggles to reconcile Lee's stylistic flair (evident in his visual interpretation of comic-book technique) with the razzle-dazzle of a megabudget franchise. What's good is good (Jennifer Connelly essentially echoes her role fromA Beautiful Mind, and Nick Nolte is righteously tormented as Banner's father), but the movie's schizoid intentions remain largely unclear.--Jeff Shannon

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