Even with all the muscle and rage, potentially explosive `Hulk' is an unsatisfying action film experience. At first, it seemed like an odd choice for a character sensitive director like Ang Lee but considering his genre-breaking resume, the producers were hoping to breath art into action. As it turns out, Ang Lee's ambitions efforts based on the popular DC Comic book series are often masterfully executed, yet fails to bring toughness and excitement critical to this genre. Nick Nolte's tyranny and Jennifer Connelly's aching stare are effective as the tormented father and compassionate girlfriend, Betty Ross, respectively. Eric Bana's Bruce Banner and Sam Elliot's military man Ross are serviceable but too often get eclipsed by their counter parts. Danny Elfman, a veteran scorer of blockbuster movies, provides the film with energy often lacking in the film.
`Hulk' aims to remain faithful to the original material and to connect emotionally but come at a price of tensions either being subdued or indirect, critical for an action arena where the experience is more visceral than emotional. Making a good action film that rock is as difficult as a good art film that transcend. Still, it is welcoming to see Hollywood trying to do something different and this one rates 7/10.
`Hulk' aims to remain faithful to the original material and to connect emotionally but come at a price of tensions either being subdued or indirect, critical for an action arena where the experience is more visceral than emotional. Making a good action film that rock is as difficult as a good art film that transcend. Still, it is welcoming to see Hollywood trying to do something different and this one rates 7/10.