Rating of
2/4
Fun, but plays it too safe
newmans_own - wrote on 06/15/08
Since the filmmakers assumed that most audiences will be familiar with the character, they decided to get rid of most of the more psychological problems Banner experiences. Even with Norton as the lead, Banner himself is rather bland. Couple this in with some poor special effects, especially during Banner’s transformation, and you’ve got a film that plays it too safe in comparison to the first movie. Lee’s film, whose riskiness was flawed but underappreciated, tried to make something more than a guy turning into the Jolly Green Giant. No such explorations are made here. At least they’ve finally realized that pants don’t grow and shrink as one’s body does.
This film was made purely for the fans. It’s chock full of cheeky references to the original comic and the 1970s television show. Yes, the purple pants make an appearance. Yes, there’s a Lou Ferrigno cameo. And yes, that sad walking away music even makes an appearance (although no one’s walking away when its heard). But for those not avid readers/watchers of its previous incarnations, the whole affair is a little boring. Aside from the requisite Stan Lee cameo that makes good on his proclamations during his appearance on THE SIMPSONS, nearly every attempt at humor falls flat.
**/****
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