This movie is so fucking bizarre. I love it.
I could only imagine the reaction to Ang Lee's take on the character when this launched in theaters. I was only nine years old at the time, so I was able to completely space out whenever Hulk wasn't around, meaning I wasn't put off by the lack of smashing and abundance of talking that caused this film to nearly bomb.
It's only now, at age 23, where I pay attention to dialogue, performances, imagery, etc. and can notice not only how insane this movie was, but how ambitious it was as well.
Similar to what NeoGAF's beloved auteur, Zack Snyder, would do many years following Hulk, Ang Lee refrained from following the blockbuster action format, instead creating a slower paced and intensely violent film that wasn't afraid to take its time or get all metaphorical.
I found the main focal point of the movie, the twisted relationship between Bruce Banner and his father, to be incredibly compelling, mostly thanks to Nick Nolte's superbly psychotic performance as David Banner, who I believe to be the single most underrated antagonist in the genre.
I mentioned earlier how bizarre this was, and I think that element is most apparent in two of the films biggest action scenes.
The first being Hulk fight against three dogs. Can you imagine how that must have read on paper? The concept is ridiculous, yet Lee plays it straight, crafting an absolutely brutal encounter, including a scene where Hulk PUNCHES A DOG DIRECTLY IN THE NUTS. Hulk also kills a dog by flexing his traps. I think that's amazing.
The second "fight" scene, would be the final confrontation between father and son
Just look at it! It's fucking weird man!
The movie has got flaws, for sure. Bana is a bit plain (though he delivers when it's time to get visibly perturbed), the pacing does feel too slow at times, and the "comic panel" editing doesn't work at all.
The CG hasn't aged too well either, though I will say Bruce's first transformation scene, in the lab, looked great, and is one of my favorite scenes in the film
But even with those problems, I find myself in awe of just how unique a film this is.
I really get why this didn't strike a chord with general audiences, and I realize that my enjoyment of this film is based primarily off my absurd tastes, but I can't help be a bit saddened when experimentation is punished with failure (in terms of box office numbers).
I love this movie, and I love that it exists in this crazy form.
Any other Hulk sympathizers in here?
Anyone?
Side-note: I found 2008's Hulk to be just as enjoyable, though it is a much more straightforward movie. It has the best final boss fight in the MCU, but that's a different thread entirely...
