Hulk is green and I'm feelin' blue

The good news is that The Incredible Hulk is more enjoyable than 2003's The (Irrationally Dull) Hulk.

The bad news is that for the first time in my life, I missed my all-time favorite band in concert to find out.

I have flown to California, driven across the South and hit every concert Steely Dan ever played around Tampa Bay. Ten shows by my count. Tonight they're playing about a half-mile from my home. Probably doing their encores right now. When I think about missing the show, my pulse races toward 200, my skin turns emerald green with unsightly veins popping out and I want to smash something.

Which brings us to The Incredible Hulk.

Honestly, it is a better take on the Marvel Comics superhero than Ang Lee inflicted upon moviegoers, as if we actually demanded a Hulk with Freudian subtext and not many opportunities to rage, played by a monotonous actor (Eric Bana) with the bloodless blankness of someone who apparently never read a comic book.

It certainly couldn't be any worse.

The new, improved Hulk ditches the psychobabble, hires more interesting actors -- especially Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, and with the glaring exception of Liv Tyler --  and more importantly allows the green guy to go off on somebody every 20 minutes or so. Director Louis Letterier (Transporter 2) and screenwriter Zak Penn (plus Norton, but the Writers Guild of America didn't allow him screen credit) still take the Marvel myth a bit too seriously yet know when to lighten up a little.

The Incredible Hulk still falls short of being as exhilarating as Iron Man, which may remain the movie superhero standard for years to come. At least until the project that has Marvel fans panting since Iron Man's end credits -- the very end that many viewers, myself included, needed to catch on YouTube because we left fast to beat traffic.

Marvel is smarter this time, adding the cool coda after Hulk/Banner's predicament is settled, and before hundreds of names meaningful only to their family and friends scroll by.

I won't spoil it for you, but with Marvel now controlling its movie destiny rather than being led by the nose by meddling studios (i.e. the first Hulk), that Avengers adaptation is looking more possible by the minute.

[AP Photo/Universal Studios]

Comments

[Steve Persall]

Divine Miss M: I'm humbled by your regard for my babble. You are more observant than I, regarding the Hulk's size. I wanted to check after the first version's obvious mistakes, and missed what you saw.

The problem is the Hulk simply isn't an interesting character to build a movie, much less a franchise, around. As an Avenger, he'll be cool.

And, you take Bateman and I'll take Charlize.

[Marissa]

Steve! My most favorite movie critic E V E R!
The end, in my most humble opinion, saved this movie. I squealed with absolute delight at the cameo appearance in the bar. Just ask my son (who was told to hush throughout the movie by your's truly).
I love Edward Norton. He's fantastic. However, I felt like crucial parts were cut and left for the rats on the cutting room floor to defecate upon. Something went awry in this movie that I can't quite put my finger on.

There were size ratio issues repeatedly. The Hulk carrying Betty into the cave made it appear he was King Kong toting Faye Ray around. Then,moments later she's a mere 1/3 his size.

Ramble, ramble, mumble, mumble.

RDJ rocks.

The trailer for "HANCOCK" has me salivating. Jason Bateman: Come to Miss Riss! Will Smith is the 4th of July release monster!

[Marissa]

I haven't seen this movie yet, but I already have a major issue with it: Why can't they make the Hulk less cartoonish? And does he battle Gamera or Godzilla at any point? Because that's about how he fits in to the rest of the mix. Just sayin'

[Tanner]

So I have YOU to blame for being a "Batman & Robin" fan, I always blamed the Bat-nipples! ;)

In all serious, there were a few promising aspects of the movie...

...Eh, who am I kidding, let's just Christopher Nolan and crew make up for once again it with "The Dark Night", k?

[Steve Persall]

Oh, Tanner. Each time I think you're maturing into a fine Gator man, you pull out something like enjoying Batman & Robin, making me wonder where your parents were when you began forming such ideas.

Oh, they were probably partying with Princess Di and me.

My bad.

[Tanner]

Well Patrick, your prediction is correct, Marvel's release schedule is as follows...

Iron Man 2 - April 30, 2010
Thor - July 4, 2010
The First Avenger: Captain America - May 6, 2011
The Avengers - July, 2011

Though there aren't any Marvel films in 2009, it looks like they're quite busy. I still fully expect "The Dark Knight" to blow Iron Man out of the water come it's release (which can't come soon enough)...But, I muuuust say that I did some-what enjoy Batman & Robin....so my opinion may be biased.

[Patrick]

I foresee a new Captain America movie coming very soon. (fingers crossed)

[Jeff]

Sorry you missed the Steely Dan show. I'd feel the same if U2 were in town and I had work to do.

I've heard much better things about this Hulk movie, but I still think I'll wait for it to hit Blu-Ray before seeing it. The other film left a sour taste in my mouth and, frankly, Hulk isn't all that interesting to me.

I wonder if a poor showing at the box office will make Marvel pull back from their ambitious schedule. I think they jumped the gun a bit when Iron Man became such a huge hit (and deservedly so).

The stink from Batman & Robin was still around after eight years and probably adversely affected Batman Begins in 2005. That movie had great word of mouth and was able to stay strong for a while, crossing the $200M mark domestically. Lee's Hulk was no where near as bad as Batman & Robin (one of the most torturous film experiences I've ever endured), but it still may discourage people from going. The trailers haven't looked all that good (and William Hurt in that mustache makes me crack up - it looks horrible) and Hulk is not as historically popular as Batman. If this movie can't cross $150M then I expect Marvel to back off on some of their announced movies like Captain America and Thor.