Hulk

Forget what you think that you know from the 70s TV series: this is based on the comics where the Hulk can leap between mountains and isn't just a body builder! Bruce Banner (Bana) is a government scientist who discovers that a genetic engineering experiment performed by his father (Nolte) results in him changing into the Hulk, a giant green monster, whenever he gets angry.  Ross (Elliot) and the military want to capture and experiment on him.   Ross' daughter Betty (Connelly) is Banner's ex-girlfriend and tries her best to help him.  Banner's father then turns up and instead of wanting to help his son, he encourages him to turn into the Hulk by sending mutated animals after Betty…

Hulk is a very different comic movie than the Spider-man and X-men type films we are used to.  The Hulk does not appear until forty minutes into the film.  This is because, instead of mindless action, director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) chose to focus on the characters. Bana (Chopper) and Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) are talented enough that the human feelings and emotions portrayed by their characters draw the audience in.  The fact the Hulk does not appear for long periods is not to the detraction of the film but actually enhances it.

When the Hulk does appear the audience is treated to the CGI beast throwing tanks around and leaping between mountains at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour.  The villain of the piece is undoubtedly Banner's father.  Nolte's portrayal of the deranged scientist is excellent and adds a chilling edge to the film. 

Ang Lee was so concerned when making the film about the Hulk's facial expressions being right that he refused to let any actors wire themselves up to the computer to capture them.  Instead he wired himself up to ensure that everything was correct.

If you are after a comic book film with strong acting and involving characters then this film is for you.  You even get a computer animated giant thrown in for good