I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and ...
I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and read - and have loads to read!!! Thanks for the r/r/c's much appreciated and will be returned!!!!
Member since:02.10.2005
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After my enjoyment of the first Hulk film (there will be a review when I get round to watching it again!), I was very excitied to see that there was to be a second installment. Following the release of Iron Man, it seemed that the standards for comic book movies had been raised but it was undecided if this new Hulk movie would be able to rise to the standards that had been set by films about other Marvel comic book characters.
So I dutifully dragged hubby along to the cinema to see if this would be as enjoyable to me as the first film. Well, I think it was a joint dragging along, as hubby liked the first film too. And I wanted to see if Edward Norton would be convincing as Bruce Banner!
***Synopsis***
Following the end of the first Hulk movie, Bruce Banner is living and working in South America. He is pretty much incognito, as he works in a soft drink factory.
But one day, he gets cut. He thinks that he gets the bottle but another one goes through the factory and a little of his blood gets mixed in with the soda.
He is also in contact with a "Mr Blue", a scientist who is trying to help him to find a cure to his gamma poisoning. Mr Blue does not know who he is as Banner goes by the name "Mr Green". Bruce must always ensure that he does not become too excited, as it is adrenaline that unleashes the Hulk.
But, because of his accident at work, the military find out where he is and send in a crack team to tranquilise him and take him back so that they can experiment on him and turn his mutation into a weapon of mass destruction. This team is led by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), under the command of General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt). Banner escapes but has to return to civilisation to try to find this cure.
While there, he sees Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) the love of his life. But he cannot put her in danger and tries to leave but she finds him. The Hulk does return, but this time he saves Betty from certain death thanks to her father's bloodlust. Also, Blonsky receives gamma radiation which increases his aggression and strength. But it is not enough. He wants what Banner has.
And so while meeting the elusive scientist that has been helping Banner, they are caught and taken by the military. Blonsky however, decides that he wants more than he has and forces the scientist to give him what he wants. And so the Abomination is born.
Bruce must now decide. Does he take the cure, go back to being human and let the Abomination wreak havoc. Or does he accept who and what he is and try to stop this thing and save the lives of millions of innocent people in the process? Only by watching the film will you get the answer!
***My Opinion***
Can you guess? I loved it! It's miles better than the first film. The special effects are absolutely fantastic, and to sit in the cinema with all the surround sound made the viewing so much better as it seemed more realistic. At times, I did jump, not with fear but just the shock of the sound effects combined with the visual effects, made for a total viewing experience.
Performance wise, Liv Tyler was great as Betty, Hurt was flawless as the hard-nosed Gen Ross. He really portrayed the super efficient general but also reluctant father superbly. Stan Lee had his role, and dropped the bottle of pop with ease!
Roth has played the bad guy before (Archie Cunningham in Rob Roy) and seems so suited to the evil parts! He plays Bronsky for what he is; power hungry and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
And to our hero of the hour; Bruce Banner. I was a bit unsure that Norton would be able to pull off such a role. The popularity of the series when I was a child would be enough to scare some actors, but Norton has really taken it in his stride. He plays Banner the way he really is, a peace loving doctor who just wants to be left alone, but hounded by the military.
*** Final Word***
Do I recommend this? A whole hearted YES! It is so much better than the first film. (There is even a cameo role as a security guard for the first Hulk, Louis Ferrigno). I thoroughly enjoyed the film and will certainly be getting the DVD. It has to be one of the best films I have watched this year and definitely one I will watch again.
I wholeheartedly give this film the full 5 star recommendation as it has to be one of the best Marvel films to be made in a long time. I'm looking forward and hoping that Norton makes a comeback as Banner in a third Hulk movie. Now that would be just great!
Thanks for reading and happy watching! Di xx
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unfolds with a cure in reach for the world's most primal force of fury: The Incredible Hulk. We find scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) living in shadows sc...
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Advantages: Well-paced exciting storyline, great acting from Norton and good script. Disadvantages: Hulk story means it can't be turned into a truly amazing film but it's still good.