So….I just got done watching The Incredible Hulk for the third time. First time, it delivers. Second time, it delivers. Third time, guess what? Yeah, it DELIVERS and Edward Norton is BIG part of that.
We all like to forget the Ang Lee “Westminster Dog Show on gamma steroids” that was Hulk. Bad plot, bad acting (with some really good actors in it) and most of all a Hulk that I thought was about to get as big as King Kong. So what does Marvel do? They make up for this abomination (pun intended) by giving us a Hulk movie with great acting, awesome special effects (the transformations were spot on) and an all around expertly balanced film, one that we the fans have LONG been waiting for.
Mixed with elements of the T.V. show and Comic Book, Bruce Banner is on the run in classic style, pitting the government and the Hulk against his true self. From the funny, “You wouldn’t like me when I’m….hungry and “Stretchy pants please”, to the endearing moments between him and Betty, Edward Norton IS Bruce Banner/The Hulk.
While watching this movie I was trying to think about how Marvel can use The Hulk in The Avengers. Not show Banner and JUST The Hulk? NOPE. Recast Banner with someone that LOOKS like Norton? NOPE. How about….NO!!. Marvel, understand that what you’re doing is revolutionary in the Comic Book Movie world and a BIG part of that is by keeping the same actors for your roles. What if Iron man’s mask lifted up in The Avengers and we saw another actor? Robert Downey Jr. has made Tony Stark an extension of himself now and the fans can see that.
THREE Howard Starks, Two (so far) Bruce Banners/Hulks and the fact that you almost lost Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury make me a little more than concerned. Also I’m fine with Chris Evens as Captain America, in my opinion the travesty that was Fantastic Four NEVER happened but you have to listen to your fans. I REALLY hope that this is just a big “funny haha” and that when The Avengers panel happens at Comic Con, Edward Norton steps out right at the end and says, “Hulk Smash….The Avengers, 2012”.
Being a bigger DC fan than Marvel, I’ve always chosen my favorites carefully from the other brand. Spider-Man (Third favorite CBM character of ALL time), Captain America, Wolverine and The Hulk are my choices for Marvels BEST. So Marvel, take it from a DC fan, Edward Norton IS The Hulk and there is still plenty of time before 2012 to make this wrong a right….