Today, going back to the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an extraordinary journey through time. 2008’s “Iron Man,” the series’ starting point, is a dour, classic action film compared to current entries in the MCU. There are still no real cross-references that consistently rely on successive stories. The post-credits scene was a fun gimmick at the time that a few people left in the theater picked up, but it was far from a permanent Marvel institution that would force the entire audience to stay seated. An era far before the current multiverse.
After ‘Iron Man’ was praised by critics and audiences alike, ‘The incredible Hulk“On the other hand, it will be a pure disappointment. Not only did the hoped-for box office success fail to materialize, but the press and public were anything but enthusiastic about the first MCU appearance of the green rager, who was then played by Edward Norton (“American History X”).
After 33 (!) MCU films and 10 streaming series, I am of the opinion: give “The Incredible Hulk” another chance! The action blockbuster from ‘Fast As a fairly simple, knockout spectacle, I surprisingly enjoy the film. Mainly because, unlike today’s Marvel spectacles, it’s so wonderfully anti-clausal. You can currently stream ‘The Incredible Hulk’ for a fee from providers such as Amazon Prime Video.
This is what “The Incredible Hulk” is about
When Bruce Banner’s (Edward Norton) heart rate rises to 200 beats per minute, he transforms into the green monster Hulk. Because General Ross (William Hurt) wanted to exploit Hulk’s powers for military purposes, Banner defected to Brazil. Since then he has been involved in relaxation techniques and works in a lemonade factory. However, an unfortunate coincidence causes the American military to encounter the fugitive.
Banner must escape again and sneak back to the US, where he wants to research a cure for his condition with the support of Ross’ daughter Betty (Liv Tyler). He is interrupted again by Ross, who sets the American war machine in motion to capture the rager. When that doesn’t help stop the Hulk, tenacious Marine Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) voluntarily subjects himself to experiments to meet the Hulk as a worthy opponent…
15/08 in the best sense of the word
The biggest criticism “The Incredible Hulk” faced was that the film was simply too boring. While the current MCU hits are overwhelming from start to finish and (or rather tiring) with overloaded CGI orgies, Louis Leterrier’s first and so far last Marvel actor proves pleasantly calm and not very tense when it comes to having to expand of a gigantic universe. .
From a dramaturgical point of view, “The Incredible Hulk” is without a doubt absolutely mundane cinema and can never really surprise or overwhelm. Instead, the simple spirit of eighties cinema wafts through the film, as Leterrier is really only interested in delivering simple genre cinema that always hits the mark when it comes to the bombast of effects. In the grand finale, two giants can ensure that many things in the heart of New York are reduced to rubble.
The fact that ‘The Incredible Hulk’ is worth seeing for me is not only because he commits to the action genre in such an old-fashioned way. It also boasts very impressive images (the Brazilian favelas!) and has a cast that is so wonderfully persistent that you wonder whether those involved even realized what kind of film they were in because they were just participating.
While Liv Tyler (unfortunately as usual) remains completely pale and is mainly concerned about Bruce Banner, Edward Norton, after ‘Twilight’, ‘American History character actor he is – and thus turns out to be wonderfully misplaced. Tim Roth, with his fierce, downright evil attitude, is a wonderfully iron counterbalance. That’s fun, even if it’s involuntary. But that’s how it was in the eighties.
Author: Pascal Reis
Source : Film Starts
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
