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Matinee Melee: Norton, Tyler well-cast in 'Hulk'

By: Holly Leber
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By: Casey Phillips
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Casey Phillips: First of all, do not confuse this movie with “Hulk,” director Ang Lee’s 2003 film starring Eric Bana. They both follow the same comic-book character’s destructive rages, but the casts are completely different, and their plots are divergent enough that thinking of them as sequential will just confuse you. Also “The Incredible Hulk” is more realistic in the portrayal of its antihero, which is an odd thing to write about a film depicting a 10-foot-tall, green whirlwind of destruction. The unevenly implemented super strength in “Hulk” has been replaced by a more “human” hero who can still tear things apart with abandon but isn’t invulnerable. Also, the romantic subplot between Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) is better written this time around, echoing the Beauty-and-the-Beast-like pairing in “King Kong.”

Holly Leber: I was surprised when I heard that Norton was cast in this movie; he’s not the first actor one would think of to be part of a superhero — antihero — movie about a guy who blows up into an angry green behemoth, but he actually worked quite well. The story focused much more on Bruce Banner than on The Hulk, which I appreciated. I’d rather watch a man than a CGI figure. I think Norton probably had something to do with that, considering that he has a bit of a reputation for being passionate about the films he’s in and the characters he plays. But you can’t deny that he’s a very good actor; he does the “wounded eyes” flawlessly, and Norton’s eyes really told the story of Banner’s struggle and inner turmoil.

Casey: Liv Tyler’s eyes were weepy, which she also does really well. But, I don’t really consider her a phenomenal actress, and as a result, the success of her on-screen relationship with Norton is largely successful due to his work, not hers. So while you’re certainly right about the emphasis on the good doctor in this Jeckyll and Hyde tale, scenes of rampant destruction (preferably with lots of things going “boom”) are what audiences at a Hulk movie are really there to see. Fortunately, this film really manages to convey the Hulk’s awesome ability to rip things to shred. From cutting tanks in half with jagged metal discs to turning a police car into a pair of boxing gloves, the CG-animated Hulk really gets his smash on.

Holly: “Hulk smash,” right Casey? (I’m a Hulk novice, so I learn from my more comic-inclined colleague). I think “gets his smash on” is going to become a new euphemism. I have to agree about Tyler. She’s got a beautiful face and can certainly express Betty Ross’ hurt and struggle in her expressions, but I couldn’t help thinking she’s a much better actress when she’s not actually speaking. I couldn’t tell what the Bruce/Betty backstory was, but at least “sorry, but I might turn into a temperamental green monster” is a more original excuse than “I have a headache.”

I thought the pursuit of Banner/The Hulk by Gen. Thadeus Ross and Emil Blonsky (William Hurt and Tim Roth) was a really interesting commentary on military mentality — the notion that there’s a craving for aggression. While Banner was dying to rid himself of the monster within, the army personnel spent most of the movie trying to exploit it.

Casey: As a quick aside, I didn’t find Hurt as convincing a Gen. Ross as Sam Elliot, who did so in “Hulk,” but Roth did an excellent job as the power-mad Emil Blonsky. With two movies that are as close in content as “Hulk” and “Incredible Hulk,” comparison is difficult since the only real expectation is to see all the props reduced to wreckage, but I think “Incredible” comes out on top because its conveys the more subtle elements of the character.

Holly: I can’t compare, but I did enjoy watching “The Incredible Hulk,” which I wasn’t sure I would, so it was a nice surprise. I think Norton added some credibility for those who are dubious about these types of movies, and while it’s not going to win any major Oscars, I think we may have found a contender for next year’s MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.