The Incredible Hulk and the Massive Marvel Update
Back with a post. Have spent last month working on the top-ten list (as well as living, studying etc.) and it’s ready. Just needs some editing and then I’ll post, prob in a day or two. Until then here’s a small review of The Incredible Hulk as well as an update on what projects Marvel has green-lit for production. First with the review.
The film is a reboot, not a sequel. I’m sure you all know this much. My major problem comes from the fact that the whole paternal conflict, the whole storyline was shelved. And the movie has no script. It’s simply, the comic story told as simply as possible. Nolte and Bana’s scenes in the first film was the only saving grave of the whole movie and I like the conflict
Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2, Danny the Dog) directs so I already expected some great action sequences and sharp visuals. The movie impressed me a lot in that department and I’m sure fans who were looking for a more action-oriented Hulk the last time around, will be pleased. However the weak script was problematic for me. Sure, I enjoyed it and it was definitely worth the ticket price but I would’ve preferred a more complicated script or even just the inclusion of Nolte’s storyline from the last film (without the weird poodles). The movie was fun, enteretaing and had some great climax moments. But at almost two hours, I would’ve preferred more action sequences (there are only 3), especially since the dialogue and the storyline they were focusing on was nothing special.
Cast-wise, Norton was nothing special and physically unfit for the role while Tyler was just not the Betty Jennifer Connelly was. Hurt’s Ross was a complete asshole in this movie and there was no measure of salvation possible for him while Tim Roth was surprisingly pleasant and actually looked better in the action sequences than the Hulk did. I think Leterrier did a great job and I would love for him to do the followup, as long as someone other than Zack Penn is writing the screenplay (which doesn’t seem likely).
On to the marvel Projects (in chronological order).
2008 – Punisher Warzone: Ray Stevenson (Rome) stars as the lead while Dominic West is Jigsaw. The plot seems good as Castle end up in the middle of organized crime in New York, bad blood and crime families. Julie Benz (Angel, Dexter, Rambo) in the mix as well as (hopefully as the baron of the Italian family or maybe the daughter). The plot seems perfect for the Punisher (reminiscence of Ennis’ dark script of the comics) but the trailer didn’t impress and I’m not sure Stevenson is well suited for the role. Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans) directs.
2009 – X-Men Origins: Magneto: This movie which could be quite enjoyable focuses on magneto’s life in prison camp and how he came to be the fearful mutant the X-Men fight in almost all three movies. Unfortunately, David S. Goyer (Blade Trinity) directs.
2009 – Ghost Rider 2: After the horrid first film, there might be doubt over bringing Cage and Steven-Johnson back but currently there are no details except this release date.
2009 – Silver Surfer: Spin-off from the Fantastic Four movies, the movie will be directed by Alex Proyas (the excellent Dark City and the average I, Robot) which seems like a perfect fit for the punk sci-fi this film could be. Doug Jones might star as the surfer. Color me extremely interested.
2009 – The Hands of Shang-Chi: IMDB states the plot line as “Based on the Marvel Comics hero, a young Kung-Fu master learns his father is the world’s worst criminal”. Never heard of the comic and the director hasn’t done anything I’m interested in.
2009 – X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Gavin Hood (Rendition) seems an odd choice to direct but Jackman is back as Wolverine and brings with him a bunch of mutants I was dying to see (Reynold’s Deadpool, Beak and finally Gambit). I’m a huge fan of X-Men and am looking forward to this one.
2010 – Nick Fury: No director attached and the plot seems to be an origin story but unless Samuel L. Jackson is cast as Fury, I don’t care much for this project. I doubt it’s going to come out anytime soon anyway.
2010 – Iron Man 2: Jon Favreau might not return. Robert Downey might not return. And while, Maguire was Spider-Man and Cage was Ghost-Rider, Iron-Man was Robert Downey. The movie will not work without him and probably should’nt even be.
2010 – Ant-Man: Seriously? Aren’t they getting a little carried away with the movies just so they can do a complete Avengers lineup? Edgar Wright (the unbelievably good Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead) directs and although he’s a perfect choice to direct the Scott Pilgrim movie (slated to be out the same time), I’m not so sure about him doing a serious superhero film. No actors attached.
2010 – Thor: Mathew Vaughan (Stardust) seems like a very bad choice since Stardust was a horrible “fantasy” movie. I like the idea of a fantasy epic but why not do a God of War movie? Thor is they gayest marvel character, not to mention in need of a serious language and wardrobe update. Any choices for the lead?
2011 – Spider-Man 4: No director and no actors attached. No script out yet either.
2011 – Captain America: Nick Cassavetes (John Q, The Notebook) directs and the choice to make this a period peice seems like a good one. Rumors of Gerard Butler in the lead are hopeful. Unfortunately Zack Penn is writing the script.
2011 – The Avengers: With a date like July 2011, we all know we’re in for a long wait. I like the concept of introducing all the heroes in individual movies and then making the Avengers one. Seemingly Hulk might be one of them and Iron Man is definately on board. Thor, Cap and Ant-Man and if they play their cards right and follow the New Avengers path, Wolverine might join as well. But the concept of all these actors coming together seems too good to be true not to mention extremely expensive. Again the horribly simple Zack Penn writes.
Well, there you have it. All projects marvel has in production. I’ll be back in a day or two with the entry I’ve been working on for over a month. See you then.
Tags: Ant Man, Avengers, Captain America, Comic Movies, Comics, Dark City, David S Goyer, Doug Jones, Edgar Wright, Edward Norton, Hulk, I Robot, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Jon Favreau, Liv Tyler, Magneto, marvel, Nick Fury, Robert Downey, Sam Rimey, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Thor, Tobey Maguire, Wolverine, X-Men
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