http://www.ccch.info/marvel-comics-incredible-hulk-enemies/
Suspension of Disbelief: The Incredible Hulk
I was engaged in my favorite TV activity the other day, furious zapping, and I stumbled upon some interesting choices. I settled for Aliens and The Incredible Hulk, respectively, one of my favorite all-time classic and one that I like a lot. The common thread between the two is the length in which they require the audience to suspend their disbelief.
I thought they made great examples of successful believability. A nearly invincible species with “acid for blood” and a regular guy who turns into the 10-feet tall, green and bulky “most powerful superhero in the world” when he gets angry.
This page is about believability in The Incredible Hulk. Read the one on Aliens here. The big question is: what in this movie makes us believe that a giant, green, excessively bulky “man” with unlimited strength can really exist?
The human factor
This adaptation of The Incredible Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier, gained much better critical and financial success than the 2003 Ang Lee version; Marvel had decided to take a more active role in producing of their properties and the result shows: a more faithful storyline to the comic. The original material is too compelling to ignore anyway. Creator Stan Lee really deserves is title of “The Man”. Read the first issue, the origin story, now and it still holds its flavor.
This installment explores the human factor in a different way that is meant as an homage to the old TV show, including the accident that started the whole thing (if you miss the opening credits, part of the story will not make sense.) Dr Banner’s quest: get rid of the “monster”, regain a normal life.
They made Elizabeth Ross into a more sympathetic character, considering she had lived with the loss of love for years; when she meets Bruce again we get a nice tender moment. The Hulk shows his humanity whenever they share a scene. One of the most dramatic is half-way through the movie after he protects her from the soldiers’ fire, when they sit side by side sheltered from a storm in a small cave and she says, “We’re OK. It’s OK. It’s just the rain.” A powerful midpoint that defines a monster as human. He responds to her and we can understand him.
The creature’s instinct to protect Elizabeth makes him an even more sympathetic character. A side note: she is never completely a “damsel in distress”, which we can relate to very much; one can never stress enough the appeal of strong characters in any kind of story. Really, who wants to follow weaklings for 2 hours? Without her help, Banner would never have completed this quest, adding to the human side of Bruce banner and the Hulk. It is nice to see the influence she can have on the Hulk, even in harsh situations like the final fight when she stops him from seriously hurting the Abomination.
This is finally the story of a man afflicted with a dramatic condition that turns him into a monster he does not like to be, and a potential weapon as seen in the eyes of the military. The only person who sees him as a person is his old girlfriend; whether she’s facing Bruce or the Hulk, she sees the same person. She’s invaluable for the human and emotional angle she gives the story. The one who wants to use the Hulk…
The villains
Now General Thunderbolt Ross, on the other hand, turns out a little less convincing as a “real person” in some aspects. They used the tired trick of the obsessed villain who disregards all notions of self-preservation (career-wise) in favor of a crazy, elusive goal. Please, writers, directors, good characters think logically, they cut their losses, they regroup and try different things, but most importantly, they have more powerful motivations. More compelling reasons to pursue a goal to the bitter end. In effect, Ross decides to hunt his daughter like he would an enemy of the state. From the second act:
COLIN
I don’t know where she is.
I know she’ll help him, if she can.
ROSS
Then she’s aiding a fugitive.
And I can’t help anyone of them.
He sounds like a psycho. He says the wrong thing without the slightest hesitation. The writers missed the opportunity to amp the conflict level on Ross’s storyline. Too bad. He could have been a father torn between trying to advance his (possibly damaged) career and giving his daughter a chance at happiness. Wouldn’t that make a better story? He did get some good conflict with his daughter later by the end of act 2, when the army captured Banner from the lab. Ross is not a unconvincing character, but he could have been a better, a fresh villain. Like the Joker.
The other one, The Abomination, stretches the believability in a similar direction. His alter ego, Emil Blonsky, is a gratuitously violent s.o.b who hurts dogs, women and mild-mannered scientists willynilly.
Just like General Ross, the best villains are driven by a powerful external motive. We are tired of the crazy psycho killer, so common in American movies. They might exist in real life but we need fresh blood in stories these days. Crazy villains make things too easy: whatever the writer decides for this character’s logic works because he is nuts.
They also committed another sin: they try to impress the audience, but only succeeded in making him sound corny. After his second defeat, Blonsky describes himself to Ross, “pissed off and ready for round three”, or he answers the question “How you feeling, man?” with “Like a monster.” Eyes rolled. A simple and genuine “Ready for round three” would have done the trick perfectly.
Impossible love?
The shortened love scene involving Bruce and Elizabeth brings another small criticism. They painted their relationship as impossible love. It could have been written differently. Banner’s problem is rage, not excitement. Making love to a woman he cares so much for would elevate his heart rate, but should not turn him green and angry; probably the opposite. Actually, love could help him regulate his sanity. Like the antidote sequence in the lab. She is such a center piece in his life that her influence can only be positive. I believe they missed another great opportunity there.
Speaking of the antidote sequence, can you believe that the experiment table is an exact fit? Smile. Moving on.
Finale
The third act is essentially just an extended fight scene, eye candy for the benefit of fans of the comic book. With very limited occasions for dialog, beside the drop scene from the chopper and the end of the fight. As expected, Banner volunteers to stop the Abomination and the two creatures wreak havoc in the streets of New York. He is the hero after all.
A global note here, when everybody has got limitless power, the amazing becomes ordinary, and escalation turns into a problem. I think, because of the format, readers of a serial comic book are less affected by this problem than a movie audience (otherwise most comic would not make it past their 5th issue.) And I think it is the danger to writing most superhero movie franchises. See Spider-Man 3 for an example of what not to do, and X-Men 3 for an average good example. The Matrix Revolutions also turned out a tired average flick. The Bourne Ultimatum avoids the problem, simply because there was no escalation at all, just continuation.
All in all, having amazing giants roaming the streets of New York results in an entertaining movie. What makes this story believable is Bruce Banner’s character. His quest to return to his humanity is a notion we can understand and relate to. Having Elizabeth’s devoted love to help him completes the emotional charge. The rest is pure gravy.
In the next believability post, we tackle an exceptional classic: James Cameron’s Aliens. And later, maybe a couple of oldies. Until then, you are encouraged to talk back and jump start a discussion.
*****
The Incredible Hulk
3.5 stars
Screenplay by Zak Penn and Edward Harrison
Directed by Louis Leterrier
About the Author
Rono has been telling and writing stories since high school. His passion have always been graphic novels and movies. He currently reviews the narrative side of movies and comics on his blog.
The Incredible Hulk endslate gameplay video trailer
|
|
The Incredible Hulk #137 (The Stars, Mine Enemy!) The Hulk vs The Abomination in Space!… |
|
|
The Incredible Hulk #53 (Enemy Mine) $1.95 … |
|
|
Marvel Comics – The Incredible Hulk 2 Pack Boys Boxer Briefs for boys $7.99 This 2 pair pack for boys features boxer briefs with large Marvel Comics – The Incredible Hulk Graphics and trademark logo. They are machine washable, have a functional fly and an exposed elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Incredible Hulk Boxer Brief Set for boys $8.99 These boxer brief sets for boys feature Marvel Comics The Incredible Hulk Character in action on a green t-shirt, and Hulk’s trademark logo on black boxer briefs. These 2 pieced sets are machine washable, have a functional fly and an elastic waistband. |
|
|
Incredible Hulk Smash Boxer Shorts for children $9.99 These boxers feature the Marvel Comics Character, The Incredible Hulk punching the ground. |
|
|
Incredible Hulk Running Boxer Shorts for children $10.99 These boxers feature the Marvel Comics Character, The Incredible Hulk running. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Spider-Man and Friends 3 Pack Briefs for boys $6.5 This boys underwear 3 pack features briefs with Spider-Man action scenes with his Comic Book Friends like The Thing, Silver Surfer, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Machine washable with functional fly and elastic waistband. |
|
|
The Incredible Hulk Fist Unleashed Lounge Pants for men $17.99 These knit lounge pants are covered with bright green Incredible Hulk fists coming at you and read ‘INCREDIBLE HULK UNLEASHED’ on a black background. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Wolverine Superhero Boxers for men $12.99 These boxer shorts feature Marvel Comics Wolverine anti-authority superhero character. They are machine washable, have an open fly and an exposed Marvel elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Superhero Commotion Boxer Briefs for men $12.99 These 95% cotton/ 5% spandex boxer briefs for men feature the Marvel Comics Super Heroes in a colorful collage of comic strip action. Machine washable with exposed Marvel elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Fantastic Four Superheros Boxers for men $12.99 These boxer shorts feature Marvel Comics Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and Thing characters from the Fantastic Four Superheros Team. They are machine washable, have an open fly and an exposed Marvel elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Superhero Gallery Boxers for men $12.99 These boxers for men feature a colorful collection of Marvel Comics’ Superhero Characters displayed in a grid fashion. Machine washable with button fly and covered elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Ghost Rider Flaming Skull Boxers for men $12.99 These boxer shorts feature Marvel Comics’ Trademark Ghost Rider flaming skull and logo on a black background. They are machine washable, have an open fly and an exposed Marvel elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics X-Men Superheroes Black Boxers for men $12.99 These boxers feature Marvel Comics Universe X-Men Superheroes Trademark Logo and Characters on a black background. They are machine washable, have an open fly and an exposed Marvel elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Pulse Bolts Blue Lounge Pants for men $17.99 These knit lounge pants feature Marvel Comics’ Iron Man Superhero Character on a powerful Pulse Bolt energy print. Machine washable with button fly and covered elastic waistband with drawstring tie. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Invincible Iron Man Digital Boxers for men $12.99 These boxers for men feature Marvel Comics’ Superhero Iron Man Character firing his repulsor ray in a digitized action close-up. Machine washable with open edge fly and a covered elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Wolverine and X-Men 3 Pack Boys Briefs for boys $6.5 This boys underwear 3 pack features briefs with Marvel Comics’ Wolverine and The X-Men characters in action scenes. These fun glow-in-the-dark prints are machine washable, have a functional fly and an exposed elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics Spider-Man Royal Blue Boxers for men $12.99 These boxers feature Marvel Comics Spider-Man Trademark Logo and and Spidey in action on a royal blue background. They are machine washable, have an open fly and an exposed Spider-Man elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Red Boxer Brief Set for boys $8.99 These boxer brief sets for boys feature Marvel Comics Iron Man Character in action on a red t-shirt, and Iron Man’s trademark logo on red boxer briefs. These 2 piece sets are machine washable, have a functional fly and a contrasting elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Triumph Lounge Pants for men $17.99 These knit lounge pants feature Marvel Comics’ Iron Man Superhero Character in comic book style action scenes in an all-over print. Machine washable with button fly, side pockets and covered elastic waistband with drawstring tie. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Energy Blast Big and Tall Lounge Pants for men $19.99 These lounge pants feature Marvel Comics’ Iron Man Character and Energy Blast Logo on a black force field background. Machine washable with button fly, side pockets and covered elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring tie. |
|
|
Marvel Heroes Spider-Man Comics Drawstring Capri for women $17.99 These lounge pants for women feature Marvel Heroes Spider-Man character in comic book action frames. They are capri length with a wide red drawstring waistband. Machine washable and easy care. |
|
|
Marvel Comic Strip Characters Lounge Pants for men $17.99 These knit lounge pants feature the Marvel Comics Super Heroes in a colorful collage of comic strip action. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Spidey In The City Boxers for men $12.99 These boxers for men feature an action close-up of Spidey over a black and white city graphic. They are machine washable with an open edge fly and a covered elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Amazing Spider-Man Briefs for men $12.99 These 95% cotton/ 5% spandex briefs for men feature The Amazing Spider-Man in action scenes on a comic style background with blue detailing. Machine washable with functional fly and exposed SpiderMan elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Repulsor Ray Briefs for men $12.99 These 95% cotton/ 5% spandex briefs for men feature Iron Man in his Repulsor Ray Armor on a black background with red trimming. Machine washable with functional fly and exposed Iron Man elastic waistband. |
|
|
Marvel Comics – Iron Man Tales of Suspense Briefs for men $12.99 These 95% cotton/ 5% spandex briefs for men feature Iron Man in Tales of Suspense action scenes on a comic style background with red detailing. Machine washable with functional fly and exposed Iron Man elastic waistband. |