I finally got a chance to see Marvel’s new Incredible Hulk movie. It was great. Finally we can all forget about the mediocre at best Ang Lee Hulk movie from 2003. This one stars Edward Norton as Banner and the always delightful Liv Tyler as Betty Ross. Edward Norton is quite convincing in a restrained but intense performance that does remind me a bit of the Bill Bixby TV version (and that’s NOT a bad thing).

Liv Tyler is fantastic in pretty much everything I’ve ever seen her in and this is no exception.

The Hulk himself is all CGI…and it WORKS. Early trailers had a lot of folks (myself included) a little worried that it looked too much like CGI. It appears the rumors about them going back over it all and subtly altering the skin tones and such were correct as the final footage is fabulous. They even got the Hulk’s size correct. Just look at this:

PERFECT! Now THAT’s the Hulk! The Hulk is NOT a 20 foot Mighty Joe Young as the Ang Lee version seemed to suggest in some scenes.

And YES you DO finally get to hear the Hulk say: “HULK SMASH!”

As great as the Hulk footage and battles are the love story aspect of Betty and Bruce is not neglected either. The scene where they embrace in the rain is particularly touching and memorable.

This Hulk movie has it all and I really couldn’t be happier with it. There are even a few unexpected nods to the Hulk TV series:
-the piano refrain bits in the soundtrack
-Bill Bixby in footage from Eddie’s Father
-Lou Ferrigno as a security guard (didn’t he do that in the Ang Lee one too?)

There is a bit at the end just before the credits roll (which I won’t reveal here for the few unspoiled) that further builds upon the Marvel Film Universe connecting this movie with another Marvel hit (not too vague am ?). Love it.

Lastly I should mention that bit at the very beginning of all these Marvel Movies where the animation flips through some comic book pages –for a lifelong Marvel fanatic like me that is very nearly a religious experience. This is a GREAT time to be a Marvel fan!

We were able to see a matinee of Marvel’s Iron Man movie today! And yes it IS as good as they say it is! It was in a word: FANTASTIC. I have to say that not only is this by far the BEST Marvel super-hero move ever made but I would go so far as saying it is the greatest super-hero movie period! This is the new benchmark we will use from here on out. The depiction of the armor is spot on. Iron Man looks like he just flew straight out of a comicbook yet he also looks REAL. It’s breath taking. I loved seeing the original mark one gray armor playing such an integral role in the story too. Very cool. I also enjoyed how they tweaked the comic concept of the shrapnel near his heart bit. NICE. I really couldn’t ask more of an Iron Man movie. This looks like the beginning of a great series. Downey is PERFECT. Go see this movie. Don’t wait for the DVD. This gets my highest rating:

PS:

There is no way to really say this without revealing a bit of a spoiler. DO NOT lift your butt from the chair before ALL the end credits have rolled (felt like about 5 minutes!) or you WILL miss a killer cameo of Sam Jackson as Nick Fury!

**********************************************************************
And for you spoiler junkies I will give away two other bits but you will have to highlight the text below to read it so no one accidentally gets a spoiler:

At the end of the movie (before the credits) Tony Stark has a press conference where he reveals:

“I am Iron Man”

After the credits roll Sam Jackson is waiting for Tony in his house. He turns around and introduces himself as Nick Fury Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.. He tells him that he is part of a MUCH larger universe than he realizes and he needs to talk to him about the Avenger’s Initiative!

Here is the trailer:

Sad news. Fantastic actor and great NRA president Charlton Heston died yesterday. He was 83 years old. Full story here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/movies/06heston.htm….

He made over 100 movies in a career that spanned 60 years. He won an Oscar in 1960 for Ben-Hur. Heston was a Civil Rights activist in the 60′s. He even marched with Martin Luther King Jr.. He was a great American and a passionate supporter of gun rights. He will be missed.

….Mr. Clinton, sir, America didn’t trust you with our health care system. America didn’t trust you with gays in the military. America doesn’t trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don’t trust you with our guns. – 1998