May 30, 2008

The filmmakers behind the new "The Incredible Hulk" movie aren't exactly sure how to describe the difference between Ang Lee's 2003 "Hulk" film and theirs. Is it a reboot, does it tie in to the last movie, or is it something else? Producer Gale Anne Hurd, who worked on both films, says "reboot," but admits, "The reason reboot is kind of wrong is that implies an origin story like 'Batman Begins.' If you guys can come up with a [better] term, we'd be very grateful."

After the press' skeptical reactions since the movie went into production last summer, having them dictate anything right now might not be the best idea. However, after Hurd, director Louis Leterrier ("The Transporter" series) and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige sat down to preview some select clips, those media pundits may soon be eating crow, including your esteemed columnist.

Trivia game: Test your comic-to-film knowledge

Along with other journalists, the Hitlist was shown several finished scenes from the film last week. First off was the movie's effective credit sequence, which provides an easy-to-understand origin (different from Lee's 2003 version) and sets up the dynamic between Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), who submits himself to experimental testing that curses him with his Hulk transformations; his fellow scientist and love interest Betty Ross (Liv Tyler); and her father, General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt). The first shot after the credits finds a shirtless Banner racing to turn off a metronome, a sign of how his life is now marked by trying to control his blood pressure so he won't turn into the Hulk. Time is now about the number of days it's been since his last transformation (100, 150, etc.) more than anything else.

The next scene jumped to an extended chase sequence shot on location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where General Ross' paramilitary team has tracked down Banner (gotta explore all the military possibilities for such power). It's a smart twist, because Banner has to evade them through a busy city while not losing control and transforming into the gamma-powered monster. As luck would have it, he runs into a group of thugs during the chase who drag him into a bottle factory (where he also works) and begin to beat him up. Of course, they soon encounter his green alter ego. The Hulk is shadowed for many shots in this sequence, but he looks fearsome and he's powerful enough that he almost destroys the factory by himself. Admittedly, the scene is also somewhat reminiscent of Paul Greengrass' "Bourne" set pieces, but it definitely gives the picture a much more grand and welcome scope than the trailer or even TV spots suggest.

Our most impressive and final sneak peek was a look at the climactic battle between the Hulk and his nemesis, the Abomination (a transformed Tim Roth), in the heart of New York. The tease of this scene in the trailer was a little too "Matrix: The Revolution" for my taste, but with the final CG and in context, it really works. The two monsters battle each other in a standoff that certainly won me over, and we only got to see half of it. Composer Craig Armstrong's strong score doesn't hurt, either. It's the sort of fight scene fans were hoping for in "Superman Returns" two years ago, but that film didn't deliver. So from what I've seen, "Hulk" may provide significantly more entertainment than anyone expected.

"The Incredible Hulk" opens nationwide June 13.

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