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
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!
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"
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 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
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.
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.
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
I don't know... This movie has stuck with me to this day. I love how it deals with trauma, especially as the source for Hulks power (as opposed to just stress and anger) Idk it just has a really sad, meloncholy vibe. And that main theme. Good god
For what it's worth, I think Ang Lee's Hulk deserves a second chance. There are great elements that I like about the film. 3. Repressed childhood memories triggers the Hulk. 2. The comic book style editing 1. Danny Elfman's score is boss.
@@ryantheanimator1156 I have heard about Gemini Man and how it's not good. Matthew Buck said on Twitter that Old Will Smith ridicules young Will Smith for being a virgin. Something that made me did a double take like nobody's business.
Sam Elliott made a superb General Ross, and the battle with the Comanches and the Abrams tanks were also a major highlight to watch. You'd have to be a military buff to fully appreciate it Ollie.
I honestly don't care, this film is really good and as it was mentioned in the video it gets better the more you view it. I watched it as a kid when it was out and thought it was boring. Now an adult I tread back through it (not to sound brooding) and going through stuff of my own I realised there was alot of psychological moments and I loved them. In the easiest way possible, if you like Banner than this is a good film especially following his father storyline. It doesn't serve the Hulk as much but it's a very good film. It's also the film that sheds light alot more on Bruce and the Hulk being two separate entities in one body just clawing to come into the spotlight each time. Yes the Hulk doesn't look like Eric Bana but linking back to Bruce and the hulk being separate I can't fault it on that part as much. Still a mistake but one I can brush under the carpet
Even when I saw this at the cinema, it was better than I expected. I was expecting a dumb action film, but Ang Lee's approach to the story and what makes the Hulk/Banner character unique and interesting was awesome. A shame the mutant dogs and the over-use of split screen were annoying, though.
this is my favorite movie ever, its a drama psychological movie that turns into block buster action movie when the drama explodes he loses it, Hulk 03 is akin to the Joker movie thats mixed with legendary's Godzilla, this Hulk is marvels joker movie if it was DC it would've been perceived better for being so dark that it was supposed to be Rated R
4:20 Mark Ruffalo was NOT responsible for Hulk's resurgence in popularity, it was the Avengers vehicle itself that did that. Why do you people insist Ruffalo was the reason? He's totally mediocre and only got blander as time went on. Any actor in that first Avengers film would have received the same praise due to the movie itself and it's ensemble being the first of it's kind.
24:52 That image never fails to make me laugh!! I re-watched Hulk a few months ago for the first time since I was a little kid. I certainly admire it for it's forward-thinking attempts to deliver a serious and at times artsy comic book flick but Ang Lee's version was still a mixed bag for me. It's like the movie is at war with itself in trying to balance quiet dry character drama with over-the-top special effects-driven action and gimmicky comic-book style editing. Despite some sincerely good scenes (Ex. Hulk vs. the army) and performances (Ex. Nick Notle, Sam Elliot), the movie still felt plodding and too long for it's own good.
this whole trial and error period of trying to figure out superhero movies is quite charming to look back on, most of which were complete rubbish but i do appreciate and miss the time when each superhero movie had its own look and feel to it and was pretty much allowed to be its own thing. the hulk is such an impossible character, but i think the latest version with mark ruffalo does the best job in capturing that somewhat childish grumpiness as well as the rage-monster.
This is the best Hulk film. Fight me lol. Ang Lee tried to make a Hulk film, not just an action flick, and that elevates this film above the other incarnations.
Loved hulk from the get-go. Eric Bana portrayed Banner SO dang well!!! Think ot the Talbot's Mistake sequence ... the anger, the rage, portrayed by Eric. Awesome.
I was about to say: The CGI was the worst? Damn, this is 2003, for crying out loud. The bright green? Love it. Books Hulk? MARVELLOUS! Hulk and the sequel is just BRILLIANT!
OST: The should have gotten Brad Fiedel!!! Y'know, the "Terminator" score fella? OR, better even: Van-frikken-Gelis. Man, he could compose dang marvelous things. Think of Blade Runner.
I whole-heartedly LOVE this movie. I do not understand even a smidge of the criticism. (Okay, the dogs don’t look great) To me, it is pure, unmitigated entertainment and as good as any Universal Monster Movie ever made.
If you take Mark Ruffalo's Hulk as a Hulk "In need of a backstory"...then honestly, the 03 film actually functions quite a bit better as a more complete Hulk story. It is a full fleshed out origin while TIH glosses over the specifics of the origins. Banner becomes Hulk by saving someone's life from the Gamma pulse instead of just his own reckless experiments. You have Hulk wearing military grade purple stretchy pants, instead of them just being a joke. You actually get Banner saying "You're making me angry" instead of flubbing it in another language...and the final line is the full, complete line. Hulk resembles Banner, as he does in the MCU...which he doesn't really in TIH. Hulk's movements and abilities match The Avengers better in Hulk 03 than in TIH. His overall color is closer as well. Hulk rides a jet in Hulk 03 and in The Avengers. We get the "Puny Human/Puny God" connection. Frankly...Ruffalo plays more as an older version of Eric Bana's Banner/Hulk than he does as a slightly older version of Norton's Banner/Hulk.
Brilliant review Oliver Harper. I agree with everything you said, it is definitely not a bad film but a mixbag done by great people who did their best.
I agree. The tone is also a problem. It has silly moments juxtaposed to something very serious. One moment, the Hulk is fighting Hulks dogs, then after, Bruce is strangling Betty and Betty is screaming in fear.
At the time when I saw this movie in theaters. I felt the same way, underwhelmed and thought it was too long. It didn’t feel like a superhero movie, but more like an art house film. And I was really disappointed by that. Because I was expecting something like the Sam Rami Spider-Man film. But as an adult now, I appreciate the story and characters a lot more. Their performances are still really good. The biggest issue for me was the comic book panel effect in the editing. I’m still turned off by it today. I really wish they didn’t do that, it somewhat kills the film for me. I understand what they were trying to do, by making the comic come to life. But it just doesn’t work on film. It’s a huge distraction, and disrupts the pace of the story.
Shame on you, Ollie; for not giving the late great Jack Kirby props in his role in co-creating the Hulk! Not to speak of the dead or belittle his work, but Stan couldn't do it all alone; and a lot of the Marvel superheroes we know and love today wouldn't exist in the form we know them today without Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.
Since I haven't watched any of your retrospectives in a *long* time, I figured that I might as well watch your Hulk retrospective. EDIT- 2:33 P.M.: *finishes video 31 minutes later* I never had much of an interest in Hulk until now. 🤓
People must be crazy to like Edward Norton's version better. I saw it on TV once, and it leaves completely zero impression. This one is at least artsy, and atmospheric.
I enjoy this film to some degree. Even have the two disc Special Edition which includes a demo for the XBox game. Come to think of it I probably haven't watched this in years. There's been so many Marvel films since. I actually prefer the 2008 film, which is one of the MCU's most underrated, along with THOR: THE DARK WORLD, IRON MAN 2 and for some reason AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. I should revisit HULK (2003) tonight. It's been too long.
I think this is A movie enjoyable to watch and rewatch too cool looking and innovative use of panels and multiple angles I like Eric bana too Also I like the better color and lighting as compared to the darker palette of the ed norton version hulk I also liked the cartoonish look of the hulk
i liked this film. deeper emotionally than most cbm. the cgi was def good albeit some wrong decisions were def made. such as the neon green of hulk. they really needed to subdue that green. love your retros oliver. they are my favs.
Ang Lee is a phenomenal director but not the right choice for this film. I think someone like David Cronenberg, David Fincher or Guillermo del Toro should’ve directed this.
Well, I agreed with you, Oliver. I didn't like this movie, either. Although, I guess I liked it a little bit more than you. I gave it two and a half stars out of four. There were some of the things I like: I liked the good CGI of the Hulk of what he looks like, his skin color is actually green, and I also like the way he picks Betty Ross up. I thought Bruce Banner was an fine character. He's not that forgettable and bland, he is quite interesting and the supporting characters as well. But the action sequences was extremely routine, like involving the Hulk smashing things. One thing I forgot to tell you something which you were right: The name of the movie is simply called "Hulk", Instead of "The Incredible Hulk". The only question I asked myself, "Why? Why not titled 'The Incredible Hulk'?". Anyway, I don't know why, but other than that for those things, this film is one of the most very expensive films ever made, and the storytelling is pretty straightforward. Rotten Tomatoes had only 62% from all critics, then 52% from top critics, and 29% from audiences. It also reads "While Ang Lee's ambitious film earns marks for style and an attempt at dramatic depth, there's ultimately too much talking and not enough smashing." You might be right, this film was considered a... I guess critical and commercial failure. But to me, it's not that terrible or horrible, it's... average. Just average. Even though I liked the Hulk as a fictional character, I would prefer 2008's "The Incredible Hulk" more, which was much better than this one. So a marginal thumbs down for me on "Hulk". Hulk (2003) 2.5/4 👎
I was 11 years old when I saw this movie in the theater. ELEVEN! In the THEATER! That means no fast forward button! Can you imagine what that was like?! 😑
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.
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.
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.
hulk was a glorified mech in this movie, hulk is supposed to be an out of control monster that not even Bruce can control and yet in this movie hulk is basically big green banner. (I know this is 4 years late i’m just now rewatching it and I have some very big green purple short wearing gripes)
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.
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.
@@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 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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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
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
I agree with you, but Liv Tyler Betty Ross is the hottest of all.
@@kangtheconqueror8359Agreed bro. I was thinking the same thing.
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!
Agreed. He's all around an incredible content creator.
@Mr Zeus They're retrospectives.
Thanks very much!
@@Xayjohns Much appreciated!
@@OliverHarper Appreciate the hard work you do
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"
I would prefer David Hayter’s Hulk movie
Fighting Thanos would have been the obvious route
Thankfully Marvel didn't take it
@@NobleRaider2747 right, because why use a character to fight someone they would logically fight, win or not. That just makes so much sense dude🤡
MCU Hulk is pathetic in every way. Great stand up comic I suppose. I hate it.
Hulk was nerfed even more in She Hulk
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 True that. He was just "always angry".
@@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 love this Hulk more. Realistic, brutal and dramatic
nough said
Just like the Hulk himself, this film led me to be confused, angry and eventually outside fighting 3 dogs.
Tbh I love the dog fighting scene
Thanks to to And Lee, I'm always wary of those french poodles, and know they got a real mean streak in them ;-)
Real talk. I had to fight off three dogs from fucking with these two kids walking home a year ago lmaol. No one got bitten thankfully.
Did you beat the 3 dogs?
@@rolph5967 We learned to love.
I actually prefer this hulk to the incredible hulk for the exploration of banners character
Both are much better than The Avengers' Hulk.
Eric and Mark are favorite big-screen Hulks. Ed? Not really
The most realistic part of this movie is that hulk loses his pants by the end of the dog battle
@Limau Purut her giant of a Lannister.
@Limau Purut lol his giant hulk Junk 😂
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
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.
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.
the reason he has so many incarnations to begin with, stemming from his childhood problem which this same movie peeked at.
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.
@@caileanthomson1286 I like the Ultimate Avengers' version. That Hulk was actually scary.
@@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 always loved this Hulk version, glad to see your retrospective on it.
One of the best cinematic experiences I've ever had. Just unfortunate the ending never really chimes.
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
Thanks for your feedback mate!
Imagine what Ang Lee would have done with other Marvel properties or arcs. Tony's Demon in a Bottle anyone?
I love this version of The Hulk still not sure why it wasn't more successful. And it's always fun to watch Nick Nolte
In a way this movie was ahead of its time.
I don't know... This movie has stuck with me to this day. I love how it deals with trauma, especially as the source for Hulks power (as opposed to just stress and anger)
Idk it just has a really sad, meloncholy vibe.
And that main theme. Good god
The best movie reviews on TH-cam by a long way.
Thanks dude!
For what it's worth, I think Ang Lee's Hulk deserves a second chance.
There are great elements that I like about the film.
3. Repressed childhood memories triggers the Hulk.
2. The comic book style editing
1. Danny Elfman's score is boss.
I think Ang Lee has lost his touch lately.
@@ryantheanimator1156
I have heard about Gemini Man and how it's not good.
Matthew Buck said on Twitter that Old Will Smith ridicules young Will Smith for being a virgin.
Something that made me did a double take like nobody's business.
Sam Elliott made a superb General Ross, and the battle with the Comanches and the Abrams tanks were also a major highlight to watch. You'd have to be a military buff to fully appreciate it Ollie.
I honestly don't care, this film is really good and as it was mentioned in the video it gets better the more you view it. I watched it as a kid when it was out and thought it was boring. Now an adult I tread back through it (not to sound brooding) and going through stuff of my own I realised there was alot of psychological moments and I loved them. In the easiest way possible, if you like Banner than this is a good film especially following his father storyline. It doesn't serve the Hulk as much but it's a very good film. It's also the film that sheds light alot more on Bruce and the Hulk being two separate entities in one body just clawing to come into the spotlight each time. Yes the Hulk doesn't look like Eric Bana but linking back to Bruce and the hulk being separate I can't fault it on that part as much. Still a mistake but one I can brush under the carpet
Even when I saw this at the cinema, it was better than I expected. I was expecting a dumb action film, but Ang Lee's approach to the story and what makes the Hulk/Banner character unique and interesting was awesome. A shame the mutant dogs and the over-use of split screen were annoying, though.
this is my favorite movie ever, its a drama psychological movie that turns into block buster action movie when the drama explodes he loses it, Hulk 03 is akin to the Joker movie thats mixed with legendary's Godzilla, this Hulk is marvels joker movie if it was DC it would've been perceived better for being so dark that it was supposed to be Rated R
4:20 Mark Ruffalo was NOT responsible for Hulk's resurgence in popularity, it was the Avengers vehicle itself that did that. Why do you people insist Ruffalo was the reason? He's totally mediocre and only got blander as time went on. Any actor in that first Avengers film would have received the same praise due to the movie itself and it's ensemble being the first of it's kind.
24:52 That image never fails to make me laugh!!
I re-watched Hulk a few months ago for the first time since I was a little kid. I certainly admire it for it's forward-thinking attempts to deliver a serious and at times artsy comic book flick but Ang Lee's version was still a mixed bag for me. It's like the movie is at war with itself in trying to balance quiet dry character drama with over-the-top special effects-driven action and gimmicky comic-book style editing. Despite some sincerely good scenes (Ex. Hulk vs. the army) and performances (Ex. Nick Notle, Sam Elliot), the movie still felt plodding and too long for it's own good.
Nick nolti”s baby cry is epic. I love this film and its hulk action though
One of my favorite films of all time
It gets better after repeated viewing. I like the drama, it doesn't seem boring to me. All the characters are believable.
I'd rather have this Hulk than a jokey Hulk doing yoga and making one liners.
this whole trial and error period of trying to figure out superhero movies is quite charming to look back on, most of which were complete rubbish but i do appreciate and miss the time when each superhero movie had its own look and feel to it and was pretty much allowed to be its own thing.
the hulk is such an impossible character, but i think the latest version with mark ruffalo does the best job in capturing that somewhat childish grumpiness as well as the rage-monster.
This is the best Hulk film. Fight me lol. Ang Lee tried to make a Hulk film, not just an action flick, and that elevates this film above the other incarnations.
Loved hulk from the get-go.
Eric Bana portrayed Banner SO dang well!!!
Think ot the Talbot's Mistake sequence ... the anger, the rage, portrayed by Eric.
Awesome.
I was about to say:
The CGI was the worst?
Damn, this is 2003, for crying out loud.
The bright green?
Love it.
Books Hulk?
MARVELLOUS!
Hulk and the sequel is just BRILLIANT!
OST:
The should have gotten Brad Fiedel!!!
Y'know, the "Terminator" score fella?
OR, better even:
Van-frikken-Gelis.
Man, he could compose dang marvelous things.
Think of Blade Runner.
I whole-heartedly LOVE this movie. I do not understand even a smidge of the criticism. (Okay, the dogs don’t look great) To me, it is pure, unmitigated entertainment and as good as any Universal Monster Movie ever made.
If you take Mark Ruffalo's Hulk as a Hulk "In need of a backstory"...then honestly, the 03 film actually functions quite a bit better as a more complete Hulk story.
It is a full fleshed out origin while TIH glosses over the specifics of the origins. Banner becomes Hulk by saving someone's life from the Gamma pulse instead of just his own reckless experiments. You have Hulk wearing military grade purple stretchy pants, instead of them just being a joke. You actually get Banner saying "You're making me angry" instead of flubbing it in another language...and the final line is the full, complete line.
Hulk resembles Banner, as he does in the MCU...which he doesn't really in TIH. Hulk's movements and abilities match The Avengers better in Hulk 03 than in TIH. His overall color is closer as well.
Hulk rides a jet in Hulk 03 and in The Avengers. We get the "Puny Human/Puny God" connection.
Frankly...Ruffalo plays more as an older version of Eric Bana's Banner/Hulk than he does as a slightly older version of Norton's Banner/Hulk.
Brilliant review Oliver Harper.
I agree with everything you said, it is definitely not a bad film but a mixbag done by great people who did their best.
I agree. The tone is also a problem. It has silly moments juxtaposed to something very serious. One moment, the Hulk is fighting Hulks dogs, then after, Bruce is strangling Betty and Betty is screaming in fear.
At the time when I saw this movie in theaters. I felt the same way, underwhelmed and thought it was too long. It didn’t feel like a superhero movie, but more like an art house film. And I was really disappointed by that. Because I was expecting something like the Sam Rami Spider-Man film. But as an adult now, I appreciate the story and characters a lot more. Their performances are still really good. The biggest issue for me was the comic book panel effect in the editing. I’m still turned off by it today. I really wish they didn’t do that, it somewhat kills the film for me. I understand what they were trying to do, by making the comic come to life. But it just doesn’t work on film. It’s a huge distraction, and disrupts the pace of the story.
What? This is one of the best super hero themes and has been stuck in my head ever since I first saw it
He's talking about score being okish ...I think score was perfect matched the transitions and the secnes
This movie was the only one to properly capture the Hulk's speed and agility in addition to brute strength and healing.
Way underrated movie.
Shame on you, Ollie; for not giving the late great Jack Kirby props in his role in co-creating the Hulk! Not to speak of the dead or belittle his work, but Stan couldn't do it all alone; and a lot of the Marvel superheroes we know and love today wouldn't exist in the form we know them today without Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.
Honestly the hulk CGI doesn’t look bad. He he looks almost like the comic version come to life.
I like that you're editing in the opening reminds me of a trailer
Since I haven't watched any of your retrospectives in a *long* time, I figured that I might as well watch your Hulk retrospective.
EDIT- 2:33 P.M.: *finishes video 31 minutes later*
I never had much of an interest in Hulk until now. 🤓
People must be crazy to like Edward Norton's version better. I saw it on TV once, and it leaves completely zero impression. This one is at least artsy, and atmospheric.
I enjoy this film to some degree. Even have the two disc Special Edition which includes a demo for the XBox game. Come to think of it I probably haven't watched this in years. There's been so many Marvel films since. I actually prefer the 2008 film, which is one of the MCU's most underrated, along with THOR: THE DARK WORLD, IRON MAN 2 and for some reason AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. I should revisit HULK (2003) tonight. It's been too long.
I think this is A movie enjoyable to watch and rewatch too
cool looking and innovative use of panels and multiple angles
I like Eric bana too
Also I like the better color and lighting as compared to the darker palette of the ed norton version hulk
I also liked the cartoonish look of the hulk
WEIRDEST prequel to the Time Traveler's Wife ever conceived
lol @15:00 at the breed of peace, pibbles just want's to play!
This movie is great to combine with Oppenheimer footage to create a parody
i liked this film. deeper emotionally than most cbm. the cgi was def good albeit some wrong decisions were def made. such as the neon green of hulk. they really needed to subdue that green. love your retros oliver. they are my favs.
Ang Lee is a phenomenal director but not the right choice for this film. I think someone like David Cronenberg, David Fincher or Guillermo del Toro should’ve directed this.
Classic of the genre
Well, I agreed with you, Oliver. I didn't like this movie, either. Although, I guess I liked it a little bit more than you. I gave it two and a half stars out of four. There were some of the things I like: I liked the good CGI of the Hulk of what he looks like, his skin color is actually green, and I also like the way he picks Betty Ross up. I thought Bruce Banner was an fine character. He's not that forgettable and bland, he is quite interesting and the supporting characters as well. But the action sequences was extremely routine, like involving the Hulk smashing things. One thing I forgot to tell you something which you were right: The name of the movie is simply called "Hulk", Instead of "The Incredible Hulk". The only question I asked myself, "Why? Why not titled 'The Incredible Hulk'?". Anyway, I don't know why, but other than that for those things, this film is one of the most very expensive films ever made, and the storytelling is pretty straightforward. Rotten Tomatoes had only 62% from all critics, then 52% from top critics, and 29% from audiences. It also reads "While Ang Lee's ambitious film earns marks for style and an attempt at dramatic depth, there's ultimately too much talking and not enough smashing." You might be right, this film was considered a... I guess critical and commercial failure. But to me, it's not that terrible or horrible, it's... average. Just average. Even though I liked the Hulk as a fictional character, I would prefer 2008's "The Incredible Hulk" more, which was much better than this one. So a marginal thumbs down for me on "Hulk".
Hulk (2003) 2.5/4 👎
Jennifer Connelly as She-Hulk. let's goooooo
MCU hulk
Norton hulk
Bana hulk
Funny how she voiced Peter's suit in Homecoming.
I was 11 years old when I saw this movie in the theater. ELEVEN! In the THEATER! That means no fast forward button! Can you imagine what that was like?! 😑
My favorite Hulk movie. The only version of the Hulk that get bigger the more he’s attacked. You didn’t mention the Velvet Revolver song.
So Eric was in the Hulk but he didn't perform as the Hulk. This means he can only say he was in the Hulk, not the Hulk.
They should re color the hulk and fix it up a bit and re-release it !I liked this movie
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.
Yup the dogs were terrifying
I still think of those drums when he's running when I run
You wouldn't like me when I'm Ang Lee.
Yes, I remember that someone tried to say that to Ang Lee and he didn't understand the joke.
@@white-dragon4424 the 90's comedian Stewart Lee has a whole (long) routine about it.
hilarious and original
Boom, boom :)
Oh my God! 😅
Eric Bana was probably my favorite hulk for me because I can actually take him seriously and I honestly felt for his Bruce banner
"The soundtrack for the Hulk isn't memorable"
*Hulk theme lives rent free in my head*
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.
@@TheEPICskwock Well said, totally feel the same.
@@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.
Honestly as a kid I was just bored watching it
This movie was ahead of its time. Also the soundtrack to this movie is fantastic
I was obsessed with the Danny elfman score and velvet revolver tune “set me free”, I bought the CD soundtrack the first day 6.17.03
@@Movypro23 me too, I bought the soundtrack and film on 4K blu ray , both the movie in the soundtrack are awesome :)
I agree I honestly feel like people didn't give this movie a chance or the credit it deserves
Best Hulk ever. Why? Because Hulk is supposed to be about an uncontrolled anger, rage. And this movie portrayed that the best. BY FAR the best.
Exactly. Especially when he got really mad and grew even bigger.
Respect you sir.
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.
hulk was a glorified mech in this movie, hulk is supposed to be an out of control monster that not even Bruce can control and yet in this movie hulk is basically big green banner. (I know this is 4 years late i’m just now rewatching it and I have some very big green purple short wearing gripes)
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.
Well the original comics came to hint that a ton and still do.
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.
thought this was a joke at first now im just confused on how this perspective can even exist lol
@@xxrieanrinei4922 Confused and just a tad narrow minded for sure.
@@dangiambrone7350 narrow minded why do you say that, the movie isnt exactly the hardest to judge so theres not much need for open mindedness.
Sam Elliot was a better General Ross than Willian Hurt.
He was actually scary.
I also like Sam Elliot.
RIP William Hurt.
@@anubusx R.I.P
Woulda *much* rather have had him again than Harrison Ford... Especially considering Red Hulk
The father-son relationship stuff in this movie is very affecting, especially the shot of young Sr Banner hugging toddler Bruce.
agreed. even after years of not seeing it, i still remember those scenes
The relationships between the characters are the best parts of the film
Yes that scene makes me tear up everytime! I
I just wish we had a sequel and what of Ang Lee Fully vision it’s still possible to have it. I pray we get it
I miss the aesthetic of films from the 70s-early 2000s. Movies today look and feel so generic.
HULK (2003) is very underrated.
Honestly Eric Bana is underrated and Ang Lee's Hulk is my favorite version of the character
I like him too now he did a great job Man
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.
@@metalbrainmextrememetalent6810 I think Hulk is better tonally, while The Incredible Hulk is more of a fun action movie. So I like them both.
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.
MizerisMoney Really, crouching tiger hidden dragon, brokeback mountain, and life of pi. You might hate the film, but he is a kickass director.
Always thought Bana's outing was vastly superior to Norton's.
Cant relate bana just looked constipated online
Norton probably would have done fine in Ang Lee's version as it's more dramatic. His talents were wasted in the film he was in.
@@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 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.
@AtomicPickle1 wtf? I don't care about what he likes or dislikes?
I just don't like his 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
I agree. I always liked Hulk as unstable and a bit of a wild card.
@@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.
Hulk in the comics doesn't get bigger he just gets stronger the reason his stronger is just because of different artists drawing him differently
@@isinganddootherthings4616 Heh, I never knew that.
@@isinganddootherthings4616 World breaker hulk in the Heart of a monster does
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.
@bcdhifi Particularly since he planned on introducing the gray Hulk, which as a kid was my favorite version.
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
I like this movie. There, I said it.
XRJ92 lmaaooo 😂😂😂😅
XRJ92 i dont like it but I can say this is the best looking hulk in cinema looks like the one from the comics
You're not alone. And Marvel movies at the time had way more personality
@MizerisMoney Lol. Apparently not. I've got backup in the comments section.
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.
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 like this movie way too much as a kid.
Eric Bana was a much better Bruce Banner than Edward Norton and I actually prefer him to Mark Ruffalo.
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?
@@portiz6283 Hulk 181 in 1970's was first appearance of Wolverine and they fought in Canadian wilderness
@@gameboypunk660 I know man but why would Banner want to fight Logan in The Marvel Cinematic Universe as of right now?
Ruffalo is awful as Banner. I think its the worst casting in the MCU
Ruffalo is a bum only selected so the attention is on DowneyJr and Evans
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.
Lusting after eric methinks
@@johnsmith-wx5fb not
When I have kids I will definitely let them watch this and be proud of it.
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.
I was 9 when this came out. I had seen Spider-Man the year before but completely missed out on this and Daredevil.
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.
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.
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
Ross: We'll just have to prepare for the worst.
Me: A sequel.
Marvel: An underappreciated reboot.
Me: That too.
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.
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.
I actually love this version of Betty and General Ross. I mean, Sam Elliot is such a big personality, only he could go toe to toe with the Hulk.
Underrated, beautiful, that scene hiding behind a tree, Ang Lee...
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.
Great comment
Would be great to see you do a retrospective on 2001: A Space Odyssey
I just rewatched this last night. One of my favorite films. Yes, that's a good idea.
That's a great suggestion... I'd be down for a retrospective on Kubrick's entire filmography, actually.
agreed
@@MisterFugginRomero Barry Lyndon would be my personal highlight!
No a bad idea
This film is more appreciated when you realize how formulaic the mcu movies are
This is still my favorite Hulk movie.
I loved/love this movie, I thought the way it was shot, directed, cinematography was so creative.
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...
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.
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.
I loved this movie. I don’t need any damned MCU-style film.
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 agree they turned him into a joke.
Underrated film. Much better than The Incredible Hulk despite having outdated CGI.
Wait, one of my favorite reviewers, reviewing one of my favorite non-MCU movies? I'm in!
I always loved the score, underrated
My favorite track is "Making Me Angry".
The track when Talbot came into Bruce's house, Bruce hulked out and Hulk pumbled his ass in the streets.