Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly
Directed by Ang Lee

Perhaps I did not give Ang Lee enough credit after the atrocious Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but with The Hulk he proved that he is indeed capable of making a perfectly entertaining film. At times in danger of being over-CGI'ed, the fast paced action prevent audiences from losing interest.

Not content to be just another comic book blockbuster, The Hulk spends almost an entire hour on the character background of Bruce Banner from when his mom found out she was pregnant with him up until the present day when we find Bruce working as a scientist at a large UC Berkeley lab. Jennifer Connelly plays the requisite love interest and fellow scientist, Betty Ross. As the inevitable lab accident occurs, activating whatever substance it is inside of Bruce Banner that allows him to become the Hulk, each element in the film launches into their respective missions. Bruce, with the encouragement of Betty, attempts to reconcile his past with the terrible present. The US Government, led by Betty's father, General Ross, in the role of a pseudo-villian, wants to capture the Hulk in order to exploit the advanced bio-technology that has been unleashed within Bruce's flesh. Likewise, Bruce's mad scientist father portrayed by Nick Nolte is also after the Hulk's powers.

In typical Hollywood manner, an otherwise good film is nearly ruined by the casting of a horrendous female lead. What little talent Jennifer Connelly brought to the role of the often speechless and blank demeanor of Betty is completely and utterly deflated by Eric Bana, who has always been expertly expressive in a subtle and natural manner in whatever role he pursues. His performance as Bruce Banner, along with Nick Nolte, together save The Hulk from being a sub-par wannabe film. Not to take any credit away from the excellent work of both the physical and digital effects crews, but it is ultimately the cast of a film that success hinges on. Ang Lee adds a bit of interesting uniqueness with a cinematographic device that gives a literal meaning to "comic book movie," often dividing the screen into several blocks which allow the simultaneous showing of multiple camera angles.

Of all the Marvel superheroes that have thus far been brought to life onto the big screen, the Hulk is probably the easiest to relate to as far as why he takes action. Bruce Banner only turns mean and green when he gets angry. Otherwise, he is just a normal guy who goes to work everyday like the rest of us. I mean, you would be lying if you've never been irritated to the point of wishing violence upon the perpetrators of your anger. The Hulk is a manifestation of the big, invincible ball of destruction that everyone wishes they were sometimes.