2003 " Ang Lee makes an action-drama with great CGI for the time. Tells a story with the theme of abusive fathers, box office bomb." 2019 "Hulk takes selfies with kids, doesn't fight Thanos"
Yeah, the feeling the hulk theme gives me is hard to describe. Its almost like a feeling of questioning existence itself if that makes sense. It has an ethereal quality, forboding, like there are things out there that are way beyond your mental grasp. That's honestly the best way I can explain the hulk theme, my favorite super hero theme for sure.
@@TheEPICskwock personally for me I feel a sense of freedom and urge to just do anything, run out, break something well I guess that's how I always felt when I was a child listening to it.
@@BroSefat06 What the theme tells me is not just freedom alone. It's like you are a witness to see the rule of zero the omega of nothing and of everything. From a cellular structure to a galaxy forged from a ripple effect reminding to ourselves how alive we truly are that we are intertwined in the very fabric of reality. Freedom is the ceramic feeling cut from the liveliness of existence. Guided under principles of our limitations never to fully realize the potential of limitless existence beyond what we can grasp of cognitive thought. What that connection can be when we embrace it can be of the most fearful experience just as equal to being of the most euphoric. This is to remind ourselves that we sit in the center of both a heaven and hell-like relationship and the possibilities to the potential of we as mankind can truly develop as our species grows and matures into the parallels unbound. it is equally both beautiful as it is frightening. Yet I believe we still continue to provide it a disservice which is centered around the limited existence that we share and fight over with amongst ourselves.
I honestly loved this movie even as a kid. In some part it actually scared me (like the mutant dogs), but it never bored me. I adore the part when hulk battle against the military, a perfect way to express how this character should fight in a movie. And don't get me started on the soundtrack, good lord i freaking love danny elfman as a composer, and in this film is not an exception, my favourite part of the ost is when hulk is jumping in the desert.
The way you’re able to edit these retrospectives together really isn’t appreciated as much as it deserves to be, incredible work as always man, terrific job!
Things I liked about this movie as a kid to now: 1. The comic book editing and transitions throughout the movie 2. Sam Elliot as General Ross 3. Hulk Dogs which are a unique villain to the Hulk 4. The movie shows the true powers of the Hulk, like the angrier he gets the stronger he gets and near instant healing. 5. The father son relationship and how the father ends up becoming Absorbing Man from trying to use Bruce's blood for powers 6. Nick MF Nolte 7. Betty Ross is actually hot Fight me Edit: Glad people still remember this cool unique movie
This film had a fine cast and terrific editing. It's extra depth has led to it aging a lot better than many other superhero films. I always appreciated how they made Bruce survive the gamma blast because of what his father had done to himself before Bruce' conception.
I agree with the movie dealing with deeper issues and using the Hulk as a metaphor for Bruce not dealing with his childhood trauma but I can't say the editing is terrific. It's very very distracting and tries too hard to emulate the comic style and fails. It's just a headache to watch.
This film...I knew when I saw it that people were going to hate it, because I always had that uncanny thing where films I LOVED, critics often didn't, and especially comic book fans, hated. It's just so ambitious, so cutting edge and filled wall to wall to with risks, stellar performances, excellent effects, and the most innovative and shamefully misunderstood and maligned editing of any comic book film ever made. The panel cuts in this film blew me away, I absolutely loved them in theaters. They look exactly like a comic, too freaking cool man. Watch Hulk and then watch Avengers, or even Hulk 2013 or whatever, it's no contest! No other modern superhero film has even a bit of the ambition and storytelling or emotion of this film.
While I’m not a big fan of Ang Lee’s Hulk. I liked it better than the one with Edward Norton. I’ve never been able to get all the way through the movie. It’s unwatchable imo.
Sadly I think Ang Lee's casting of Eric Bana is his worst casting choice. Edward Norton is a much more fitting choice looks-wise when compared to the comics, plus his performance is more engaging and sympathetic as well. That being said, I do think the Ang Lee films surpasses the 2008 one in terms of direction and story, as well as the casting of Betty and General Ross.
I actually thought this movie was really innovative and well made. The comic style editing was very cool and the Hulk scenes were awesome. Plus I really felt his rage in this one.
Because there was actually a reason for his rage in that one. That's the major thing missing from the MCU Hulk IMO. An explanation for his rage, and thus a way to emotionally relate to it. They have a character with D.I.D. and never once bother to explain to us WHY he has D.I.D... it seems like a major hole in his characterization. I guess they just intend to keep trying to distract us with cute little jokes and explosions and hope we won't notice how flawed their development of that character is.
@@bobw1811 They're afraid to cut loose with the character and explore any darker themes because of an insecurity that the character will be the "Debbie downer" among a cast of smiling quippy heroes. It honestly hinders the Hulk to remain apart of these ensembles more than anything as it gives him no depth and he's reduced to a one note nerdy scientist who isn't even on Stark's level of intelligence. He didn't even have a strong presence in Endgame and came off as a complete joke. Even his rematch with Thanos was given to Captain Marvel in the end.
@@NitroNEXT That's true, but cutting loose with the Hulk's darker themes would also require his own solo movie since you don't really have time to do a deep dive into his psychology if he's a supporting character (although even just a brief mention of his troubled childhood wouldn't hurt). But we'll never see that because a solo Hulk movie would mean Disney would have to share a small portion of the box office with a third party distributor (Universal), and lord knows Disney couldn't afford to do that (*sarcasm*). Kidding aside, I don't blame Disney for making the financial decisions they have regarding a Hulk movie. Their job is to maximize profit and the best way to do that is to focus on movies that they can distribute themselves. I get it. I just wish they would be honest about it and stop getting Ruffalo to mislead the fans and falsely throw Universal under the bus whenever the question of a Hulk movie is posed to him. He's constantly painting Universal as some kind of "bad guy" who is actively preventing a Hulk movie from being made...the reality is that Disney and only Disney can decide if a Hulk movie is greenlit. They're making the decision to not make that movie. Nobody else. So either Ruffalo doesn't know how the rights to his own character work, or he's lying and doing spin-control on behalf of Marvel Studios/Disney.
But the problem was that the editing pulled you off because the whole tone of the film was that of a family drama or the aftermath of it.The story was mainly the inevitable explosion of Banner's trauma and the lack of undestanding by others except Betty,while his father was pushing him down to the abyss.It was a very serious story and the editing was very cartoony for such a mature plot. I think it's a great film but the editing was completely inapropriate for it's story.
I honestly think this movie is underrated. I remember going to see it in theaters twice when it came out. I like this interpretation of the Hulk more than I like Mark Ruffalo portrayal.
Facts I always love hulk 2003 I stuck beside this movie for years! Every since this movie came out I was 5 years old when it came out. Every since then I always defend this movie the flaws and the great scenes
@@reborngreatnesss5712 damn, make me feel old lol I was 13 when it came out. But yeah, I still enjoy watching this movie. I would watch it to get hyped before a workout
@@UncomfortableShoes yeah, at least this movie and the incredible Hulk from 2008 tried to do something with the character. I just can't stand what they did with him more recently making him nothing more than just a comedic sidekick relief
I love how this move actually took into account that the Hulk gets bigger and stronger the angrier he gets. And I totally agree with you on the CGI, aside from the bright green skin, the FX hold up to this day. And that Tank scene is hands down one of the best Hulk fights ever put to screen.
One scene always sticks out and impresses me to this day. When Hulk is about to throw the shell at the helicopter and he does this slight hesitation. A very human thing to do.
Probably the most underrated comic book movie of all time. I loved it when it came out and it still mostly holds up, aside from the technological limitations in the effects department. I loved Lee's serious take on the material, turning it into a story of damaged adult children. I was so disappointed he never got to make a sequel.
It's a real shame we don't get good comic book movies like this no more the modern ones just rush into everything inside of actually giving people an in-depth look into the character and story
@@virgogaming6488 Norton was responsible for a lot of the rewriting of the film it probably would have turned out better had he just left the script alone an let the writers do their job
I have always absolutely adored this film. Growing up I had an intense obsession with it and would watch it literally almost every day. My father having left at an early age meant I was always very angry and resentful, often lashing out and not understanding why things had happened the way they had. Looking back now I think that is why this film had such an intense hold on me. Bruce Banner was truly the first character I ever related to deeply and I still adore the film to this day. I’m so happy to see it getting reassessed and more appreciated as time goes on. An underrated and truly ambitious film, and one that will stay with me forever.
I love this movie, especially when I was younger. Unlike the MCU, I actually felt afraid and emotional watching this Hulk. I actually felt the horror and danger of the situations. I find this movie way above most comic book movie and I will never understand why people think this movie is inferior to other comic movies. And no, this movie is not boring. It is boring to you. What is boring or not is subjective.
I was 13 when I saw this movie in theaters and I loved it, I am 30 now and I love this movie just as much as I did then. I remember feeling like I was the only one who liked it because so many people disliked it.
Yeah, same. I enjoyed every second in the theater and so I was shocked when no one else I talked to liked it. I got it on DVD and have been defending it as a “guilty pleasure” movie ever since, but I don’t think it is a guilty pleasure. I still think it’s a genuinely great movie.
@@GeahkBurchill facts pure Facts I was like 5 years old when it came out I really genuinely like this movie yes it is a flawed movie but not the worst movie. This movie can Be up there with their CGI or even Better IMO this movie is outstanding performance 🎭. (Edit) After 22 years of my life I buy this movie for my birthday 🥳 to rewatch it after over a decade. I’m proud to buy this movie again.
I was fifteen when this came out and saw it opening weekend with my dad, and I loved it. And I still love it-- I'll always defend it as an underrated hidden gem. And it's still one I pop on every so often to watch. Honestly, it's one of those movies where most people I know in real life seem to like it, whereas all the hate seems concentrated online, which happens a lot. In fact, I didn't know it was so disliked until years after the fact when I was reading about it.
Watched it recently with my missus and she was like: "What the HELL is this? It's actually engaging and interesting." She gets bored of most Marvel films and thinks they're for a young crowd which is fair enough but I was shocked at how much she enjoyed it.
Why shouldn't you?It's story was very mature,the cgi decent and the acting pretty good.You can see that Ang Lee acted as an artist and not as a studio's bitch. But the editing was really a turnoff.
The transformation scenes rock so much, especially when he loses it in his house. Also love the drama and psychological aspects. Glad this film is getting more respect nowadays
I will always till the day I die vouch for this movie because this was the first interpretation of the hulk I grew up with as a kid and grown up as an adult I will always remember this as my first Hulk. People have forgotten this version as time went on but I never forgot it was a shock to me how everyone forgot Eric Bana as Bruce Banner and how everyone says oh that movie sucked but they hadn't seen it in almost several years. I've always been fond of this movie because it's not your typical comic book movie it was trying to do something different than no comic book film ever did at that time and tried to dive into the Hulk's mindset with the split personality of banner and Hulk. While the film had its problems and even as a kid I couldn't understand it as time went on I started understanding the movie better and starting to understand it even more now being 19 years of age and still continuing to watch the film I appreciate it even more every time I watch it. This version of The Hulk in my opinion was my favorite because he did everything the Hulk was supposed to do while it wasn't exactly like what we see now it was no doubt back then awesome to see the big Green Goliath hurl a tank across the desert. I never understood the complaints about the CG it was 2003 what were you expecting CGI was still advancing and it's not like what we see now. some of the shots in the film are awesome like Talbott touching the Hulk the Hulk picking up Betty and even the Hulk himself at a couple of close-ups looked very real so honestly I always ignore the CG complains cuz I always look at it as a product of its time. Obviously with all movies it has problems and I think the problem with most people is that they weren't ready for this type of version of a comic book film. And I do agree this movie could have expanded more with the Hulk's capabilities and some of the issues addressed in the video. But honestly for a film that came out in 2003 I always forget it came out in that year because every time I re-watch it I feel like it's recent because if we look at movies like Iron Man or other superhero films and how serious of tone hulk was like that. I kind of wish they could have done a few things better had a little bit more better villains but overall I appreciate the film for what it is and it will always be in my memory and will always be my first-ever Hulk movie I've ever watched as a kid I feel sad that people forget about it but now that people are looking at it and appreciating it just brings a smile to my face. Edit sorry for the long comment that's just how much I liked this movie and remember this is my opinion and if you disagree its cool.
I actually got to meet Ang Lee when Brokeback Mountain was on the festival circuit. I had to ask him about this film. He described the biggest challenge with the Hulk as having too much financial freedom. He seems to work far better under constraint. Ice Storm, Pushing Hands, Brokeback Mountain, all very modest budgets with very confined storytelling that focuses on individuals. That's where he really succeeds.
Although it’s a flawed and somewhat dated film, I always found Ang Lee’s Hulk to be the most thoughtful. He managed to infuse a lot of psychological themes in the film no other director has ever fully attempted with a Hulk film. I honestly wish Ang could’ve done a sequel. The way they portray Bruce’s struggle with living with the Hulk actually feels like a more psychological dive into it’s ramifications rather than just the ticking time bomb gimmick in the soft reboot The Incredible Hulk. And although The Avengers version is a fun side character, there’s little room to explore Hulk’s actual struggle. And that’s okay, because the Avengers films aren’t about the Hulk, they feature the Hulk. But this is in my opinion, the only film that really explores the Bruce/Hulk dichotomy. I also absolutely love Danny Elfman’s score for this film. Very unique and interesting style to go in for a comic book film.
Honestly, people expect too little from a Hulk film these days. It's not all "Hulk Smash!", or "Hulk Is Strongest There Is!" that interest me. Sometimes, a look into the psyche of the other side can also be just as interesting.
@Jerry The Ferret Hulk in the MCU is a joke. A literal joke. All the potential drama is down graded. Most of the "dramatic" part of the Hulk in the MCU is almost always spoken and not shown. I don't feel afraid, sad, or excited when I see the Hulk in the MCU. Though the Edward Norton version was a little more subtle and more intense than the Avengers' version.
I dunno if you have seen Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, which showed Banner letting the Hulk be the dominate personality if he acted like a hero. Personally, I found it very interesting stuff, to do with a side not often focused on, with Banner and the Hulk having deep discussions as to if each of them was going the right thing.
@@lunavioleta001 Remember in The Ultimates comic how they get Hulk to fight the alien invasion? I dare say that scene from The Incredible Hulk was inspired by it to a degree.
I really appreciate the depth of the film, and I feel its themes have aged better over time. This film is much closer to the tone that Peter David, Bruce Jones, Paul Jenkins and Al Ewing focused on, about the dark side of humanity, and the psychological traumas and conditioning that one struggles with. WHich is what makes the hulk comics great.
An underrated film. I’ve always really liked it. I appreciate what Ang Lee was trying to do. Make what most people think of as a big dumb character into thoughtful character study.
The reboot could have been considered underappreciated if the so-called brains at Marvel Studios hadn't had the bright idea to butcher it in the editing room, for fear of delivering a superhero movie that's too "Talky" (in other words, underestimating the attention span and intelligence of audiences...kind of insulting IMO). As it is, the cut of the movie that we were left with isn't underappreciated. It deserves its criticisms.
I saw this movie when I was 7 and I was so captivated by it. At an early age I loved the family drama that was going on and loved the casting. I rewatched this movie hundreds of times as a kid on DVD. Wish it received a sequel
This is a great review for an under appreciated early entry into the super hero genre of films. Thank you for it. The thing I liked best about this film is that (most) of the characters are not played as one-note archetypes. I wouldn't mind seeing this cast in another Ang Lee helmed Hulk film.
It's kind of true actually! With the Exception of the 2012 Avengers film none of the other MCU films delve into how angry Bruce Banner can be and truly is and don't even get me started on Endgame! I don't hate Professor Hulk but OMG Marvel stop making Hulk a Joke! When the rumors of Hulk vs Wolverine started to show up recently I laughed! Why the F### would Bruce even want to fight Logan now?
I was likely 15 when I saw this in theaters, and I really enjoyed it. Maybe the angsty teen in me appreciated how serious they were making everything, but in the rare instance where I'm in a conversation about Hulk in movies I usually get to try and defend this one. I had also really enjoyed Crouching Tiger so Ang Lee directing it was pretty cool as well
This movie honestly wasn’t boring. It’s weird, goofy, the tone’s all over the place, but it’s trying to be more than what comic book movies were at the time, which is admirable.
I actually really felt like the soundtrack was super memorable. The main theme was never left my head, but it does help It was the only movie I watched through many of my growing years.
Best iteration of The Hulk ever. Happily, I am ALWAYS in the minority side of popular public opinions (on darn near anything consumable). This film was made when Marvel was serious about bringing these fantastical stories and characters to the big screen, with the intent of making these tales seem plausible. Ang Lee presented a very adult look at The Hulk and revealed the source of his extreme anger is based in Bruce Banner's significantly buried and repressed childhood traumas, growing up under horrible parentage and events. Hulk's rage is triggered by the efforts of the Military Industrial Complex to capture and harness him. The whole thing was a study about the super power of pure anger. Hulk's not just a mindless berserker; he gets triggered alla time. This movie was also done with a style that paid homage to the source of comic book panels. It was long, yes, because it provided plenty of character study and introduction. The Hulk didn't actually show up until nearly the half-way mark. It was a Beauty & The Beast super-hero movie made for an adult audience and the public instead wanted to see/feel a roller-coaster ride. So Marvel and the public agreed to pretend it never happened and moved on with an unofficial and unannounced "reboot" sequel that wasn't a sequel with the Ed Norton movie. Then a horrible thing happened. The Disney Mouse acquired all Marvel properties and have since neutered The Hulk and turned him into a joke and then an evolved joke. They're going to try and correct this one last time with Mark Ruffallo, but the writing will be bad...
You keep doing reviews on films that are relevant to me atm lol. This and the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy was my childhood! I rewatched this film back in August and it’s even better than I remember. It is an underrated film.
I was obsessed with this movie. I got Hulk toys and a Hulk encyclopedia that discussed this movie. I had to rewatch it recently to figure out why. It’s just so different from other superhero movies. The editing, music, acting, and tone. I really liked the psychological aspects of the movie. It drew me in and made me want more. It made me a fan of Hulk as a superhero. I love the film and the 2008 movie. I have collected Peter David’s run and Love it. It’s a solid movie.
Bana as Banner, Connelly as Betty Ross and Sam Elliot as Gen. Ross is excellent casting. I actually love the CGI considering the time it was made, I just had issues with the story, but other than that it's a damn solid film and a shame most people talk bad about it.
Even Ang Lee himself admitted when he was promoting Life of Pi (fantastic movie, btw) that he should've had more fun with Hulk and not made it so overly serious. In all honesty, though, Oliver is right - repeat viewings of this movie are surprisingly rewarding.
There are some surreal scenes in the is film. For instance the Hulk heading to space on the fighter jet or the leaping through the desert. A truly underappreciated movie.
I really love the comic book panel editing style. It made the movie so much fun to watch. The MCU and DC movies are so visually boring, dull, and colorless, it's as if the filmmakers have never seen a comic book before.
They definitely are this movie really did not get the credit deserved when it first came out in 2003 people or crapping all over this movie and saying it was horrible to be honest the MCU and DC movies terrible and they are absolutely boring
Another stellar retrospective! The way I view this film is like a comic one shot. Appreciate it for being the first cinematic approach to the characters and the visuals. Imperfections and all.
This was an incredible movie, it was more than nowadays comic book movies are: light hearted comedies tamed down so they're family friendly enough to milk as much money as possible. The movie direction was incredible, the visual transitions, Hulk getting bigger and bigger as he was being hurt, action scenes were tremendous, you could actually feel fear of what could happen when he was losing control. It's a pity it wasn't a commercial success when it launched, and that's probably why big movies today aren't taking risks anymore, they just keep to the formula to get as much money as possible.
Agreed I just rewatched it yesterday I love the character work I think Jennifer connellys betty Ross and Sam Elliot's general Ross is I think my favourite I love how powerful hulk is in the movie the only thing I don't like is that the hulk is too big hulk doesn't have size changing powers he gets stronger and more powerful as he gets angrier but he didn't get bigger
19:04 man I always loved that edit right there. Overall I liked how it was edited and its tones & themes. It never bored me, I saw it a bunch of time when my parents got the dvd. Spiderman and this, were my childhood superhero movies; both characters are the reasons why I began practicing parkour
The score is probably top 5 for marvel movies, it’s amazing what Danny Elfman was capable of doing in a short time. The main theme was my third most listened last year on Spotify. So catchy, I love it.
I actually prefer this film to Norton's Hulk, and I love Norton as an actor. Whedon really captured the essence of The Hulk best of all. Awesome retrospective, as always.
Honestly I feel like once they put the Hulk in the MCU they completely watered-down the character and made them into a comedy relief instead of him being a powerful force to be reckoned with which is what people want to see out of the character not the comical stuff they were doing with him
I recently rewatched this film and I have to say that I still love it. The acting, serious dramatic tone, soundtrack and visual style are all top notch. I have this film on DVD, but i also had the VHS back in the day and the toy Hulk boxing gloves.
Super underrated. it's just blows my mind that they haven't made any type of hulk standalone movie and represented what he can be since 2003, but I have a feeling we're going to get a world breaker type or some sort of hulk transformation smashdown pretty soon
I've always really loved this film. Is it wonky? Yes. Does it always work? No. But I appreciated how unique and cerebral it was. It felt like a film made by an artist with a clear vision. In a way, it was almost an "art-house superhero film." Yes, I enjoyed the MCU reboot film, and I adore how Mark Ruffalo handles the character now that he's taken over. But this will always be "my" _Hulk_ film.
This is an amazing retrospective, Oliver. And a pleasing surprise. I wasn't expecting you to cover this one. I, very much like you, felt underwhelmed when I came out of the Cinema after seeing it, back in the day. And, also like you, have come to appreciate the movie more overtime. I think that the great great culprit here, as you point out in the video, is the shade of green they used for the Hulk. It doesn't do him, and the CGI on his character, any favours. Great work, as always.
This retrospective is a hell of a treat. Thank you very much again Ollie because I bloody love this film. There's a massive soft spot for it. Also, I like Eric Bana's Hulk even more than Mark Ruffalo's. I'm in complete agreement that doing a good Hulk theme is proper hard to do, however, the theme fits so well and is really memorable for me. It's got those dark Danny Elfman cues and it gives off a psychological vibe, like with transitions with deep Human emotion like trauma. Hulk is just that isn't it, a transition from mental trauma into physical, or the other way round. The shit lighting at times was a dick move, it was repeated in Predator Requiem. Although the latter film was probably done deliberately to hide the lack of depth =P
Would have been much better to have the Hulk like that in Infinity War and End Game, IMHO. They really did get the Hulk's personality right and you were rooting for him in this movie.
Always nice to see someone actually give this movie a fair shake instead of just regurgitating the same copy and paste criticism for one or two things.
I remembered playing the demo of the video game on my original Xbox at 12 back in 2013. So around the time I started 7th grade. I’m really enjoying your retrospective so far. Great work.
This film was shot and / or edited in such a unique way, your Average Joe simply moved on w/o much thought to what they just watched. The ending wasn't the greatest but the film as a whole was quite enjoyable.
While this Movie will never be in my top 3 list, your review did make me look at it from a different perspective and appreciate it a little more than I did before. Thank you. Also, your editing is inspiring. Very good work
