What Makes 'The Incredible Hulk' so Forgettable?

Last week I took a stand against needless negativity as I started my journey towards Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which I am watching every movie leading up to it in order of release (not chronological order as I mistakenly said previously).  This week I'm afraid that negativity is necessary if I'm going to answer one of our generation's greatest questions: "Why does everyone keep forgetting that The Incredible Hulk happened?"

First, I want to make it clear that Incredible Hulk is by no means a bad movie.  It's a C+ at absolute worst.  The problem lies entirely with outside forces.  I mentioned a few months ago that the problem was the casting change from Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in Incredible Hulk to Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers.  That's certainly a big part of it, but now I want to expand on that.

Bruce isn't just played by different actors in the two movies, he seems to be a completely different person.  Banner's struggle to gain control is a driving plot point in The Incredible Hulk and by the end he seems to have obtained it.  Norton's Bruce is very nervous; he's constantly afraid of the Hulk getting out.  Ruffalo's Bruce, however, is so confident in his ability to control the beast within that he doesn't even flinch at Tony Stark's childish provocation.  He's even slightly offended when Steve Rogers comes in to defend to him.  Ideally, this would be seen as character growth tying the two movies together, but it doesn't quite work out like that.  With the already apparent differences between the two movies it only serves as another inconsistency in the eyes of the audience.

The change in Bruce's ability to control the Hulk also highlights the absence of Incredible Hulk's supporting cast, especially Bruce's romantic interest Betty Ross.  Ross, as played by Liv Tyler, is essential in Banner learning to control the monster.  No one, not even Bruce himself, believes that he can curb the Hulk except for Betty.  Every time Banner shows through the big green exterior it's because he makes eye contact with Betty and "Close to You" by the Carpenters plays or something like that.  In The Avengers all he has to do to take the reins is always be angry.

There's a scene in The Incredible Hulk when Betty helps Bruce with his wardrobe after his clothes get destroyed by a transformation.  Apparently her fashion advice doesn't take until The Avengers because the two Banner's have totally different looks.  Incredible Hulk Bruce wears dirty, unassuming clothes, usually with a baseball cap covering his face, all to help him stay incognito.  Avengers Bruce wears nice pants with a smart purple shirt.  It's worth noting that Bruce is still in hiding at the beginning of The Avengers and even when Black Widow arrives to recruit him he's the best dressed person in the slums of Calcutta.  It probably wasn't the first thing in most people's minds when they sat down in the theater for The Avengers but after a while even I noticed it and my biggest fashion influences are Clark Kent on Smallville and 12 year old me.

The visual distinctions go farther than just the clothes.  Incredible Hulk looks completely unlike anything else in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  All of the other movies in the MCU take a naturalistic approach to color.  It's a critical factor in establishing the realism of that world.  In The Incredible Hulk everything is tinted green, all the way down to the soda made by the factory where Bruce works at the beginning of the movie.

Even the glow from the burning car has a hint of lime.

By this point you may be wondering why I haven't shortened Incredible Hulk to just Hulk.  That's because I'm going to have to distinguish it from the much maligned 2003 Hulk.  I was eleven years old when that film was released.  I was hungry for anything superhero related so I ignored the critics (it was not difficult, my subscription to The New York Times didn't start until several years later) and I watched the movie several times.  As such, I feel confident saying there is little preventing Incredible Hulk from being a sequel to Hulk aside from anther cast change.  There's about as much continuity between Hulk and Incredible Hulk as there is between Incredible Hulk and Avengers.

That's because Incredible Hulk started as a sequel to Hulk and never fully became not a sequel.  At the time that it was released some people involved like Edward Norton and director Louis Leterrier tried to put as much distance between the two as possible while others were less definitive like producer Gale Anne Hurd, who called it a "re-quel."  I, for one, wouldn't have been angry if it was a sequel, but the uncertain connection to Hulk puts Incredible Hulk in a kind of purgatory, not quite belonging to Ang Lee's 2003 universe nor the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The easy fix for this would have been to include the origin story in a larger capacity than just the opening credits.  I know everyone was already sick of superhero origins by 2008 and it would have seemed redundant when the origin had just been done five years before, but Hulk's origin isn't as well known as other heroes.  Spider-Man hasn't needed an origin story in over a decade because everyone knows the basics: (nerd + spider bite) - uncle = power = responsibility.  The same formula was used in 2001 and 2012, all the way back to 1962.  The Hulk's initial origin, on the other hand, wasn't in either of his films.  If the average movie goer is basing their knowledge solely on the Hulk movies they probably think he got his powers in a lab accident, unaware that when he was created in the 60's Hulk was born from an explosion in the middle of the desert.  As far as I can tell, the story that Bruce intentionally experimented on himself resulting in the Hulk comes from the 1978 TV series.

Again, Incredible Hulk is not a bad film.  The fight sequences are at least as good as any smashing Hulk does in The Avengers.  It's just as worthy of inclusion in the MCU as either Thor movie.  It's simply different, which usually makes things more memorable but in this case does the opposite.

I don't know how to wrap this up so here's this gif
of Lou Ferrigno throwing a bear.

Previously:

Iron Man

Celebrating Robert Downey Jr. on 'SNL'

I'm very excited about the upcoming film Avengers: Age of Ultron.  I greatly enjoyed its predecessor, simply titled, The Avengers; so naturally I have high hopes for the second coming of Christ, I mean the sequel.  (I don't mean the sequel.  I will be truly disappointed if the post-credits scene is anything other than Captain America descending from Heaven to take me and my fellow believers with Him to the great S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier in the sky.)  In preparation for Age of Ultron's release this spring I will be watching all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies leading up to it in chronological order and writing about each one in some way on this blog.

First up is Iron Man.  I've said that Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite early entry into this series, but especially upon this latest viewing, I have to admit that Iron Man may be the best.  Since its release in 2008 the excellence of Iron Man has been pretty thoroughly detailed.  It's the underdog blockbuster that started a genuine pop culture phenomenon; an organically realistic superhero movie that is equal parts intensely personal and explosively thrilling; Jon Favreau's direction is pitch perfect, the cast's chemistry is electrifying and more than anything Robert Downey Jr. is wildly charismatic and perfectly cast.

Believe it or not the life of Robert Downey Jr. hasn't been all puppies and roses.  Just a few weeks ago he was ranked dead last on a list of Saturday Night Live performers in Rolling Stone.  This list is, of course, so dumb that it isn't worthy of being compared to a steaming pile of ass dung (excuse me, I meant donkey shit).  The list seems to have been built largely on fumes from the "making fun of Joan Rivers is what she would have wanted" gas tank.  Unfortunately there wasn't enough fuel left for the actual funny, leaving only wanton cruelty.  Ranking something as subjective as comedy performers is an exercise in futility to begin with, so I can understand getting frustrated somewhere in the middle, but that's no excuse to take it out on poor Drunk Uncle.  As if he hasn't been through enough.  In the interest of fighting spite with positive spite, I want to focus on some of the highlights of the "worst SNL performer ever."

Don't worry.  He grows into his face.

It's generally agreed that what made Downey's performance as Tony Stark so great was the similarity between actor and character.  It made perfect sense for Downey to play a hard drinking playboy struggling with his father's legacy and turning his life around.  He found the role of his life by more or less playing himself.  In that way Downey's tenure at SNL served as a precedent for his turn as Iron Man.

My favorite sketch of Downey's by far and the most popular in the SNL app came in an episode hosted by George Wendt.  The episode had a running plot thread featuring legendary director Francis Ford Coppola attempting to shape the show in his own creative image.  The sketch is a confrontational monologue performed by Downey at Coppola's request.  Downey shouts utter nonsense with only his head sticking out of a suitcase until his schtick is threatened by Joan Cusack.



The Rolling Stone list acknowledged one sketch as a highlight of RDJ's time on the show, but only as a way of emphasizing the supposedly low bar.  It was a Weekend Update segment that really is pretty good.  In the year that Downey was on SNL he was often paired with Anthony Michael Hall.  The pair were brought in to add some youth to the cast, like Pete Davidson times two.  In this Weekend Update segment Downey and Hall get up to youthful shenanigans while giving a book review.



Downey's next notable SNL performance came ten years later as a host, once he finally grew into his voice and his weird face.  In the monologue he makes fun of himself for his then recent drug problems and stint in prison.



In the rest of his hosting gig Downey does some pretty good character work, first as a singing gang member in a West Side Story parody.



Then as a mustachioed Home Shopping salesman shilling a Shaq Plaque.



Honorable mention: Some impressive physical comedy as Downey hammers a nail near Randy Quaid's sore toe.

I Wendigo Out With You: An Earth Two Love Story

I love this city.  This Canadian city I'm in is like a person I talk to and has an active part in my life, like a character in a movie.  You're probably thinking, "Beyonce YonceBe, you're the President of Canada, of course you love whatever the capital of it is, let's go with Toronto" but I loved this city long before I became President of Canada and I'll love it long after my 76 year long term ends.  At least that's what I used to think.  The capital is Ottawa by the way.

I couldn't wait to get home from a busy day at work.  I left early, picked up food from our favorite Chinese place, and rushed through the door.  I was greeted by a strange woman wearing his hockey jersey.  I stared at her in confusion until Ottawa walked out.  I asked him what was going on.

"I can explain,"  Ottawa said.

He didn't have to.  I put it together.  I said "I have to go," and backed out.  I went to my best friend Michelle's place.  She would know just what to say; she knows more about love than anyone I know.  Everyone said it would never work out between her and Chairack, that a chair and a person could never be together, but she didn't let that stand between her and her man.  Her human man named Chairack.

"Michelle, I need to talk to you.  Ottawa cheated on me."

Literally the first result when I
Google Image searched "chair,"
 so this is Michelle now.

"You're right.  It's been pretty much over between us for a while now," I said.

Yeah, the physical embodiment of the city of Ottawa
can speak but a chair who is in a relationship with a human being cannot.
Obviously.  I don't see what the problem is here.

"No, that doesn't mean I'm ready to get back on the horse already."

"A blind date?  Already?  I don't know."

"OK, tell me about this friend of Chairack's.  I'm not making any promises; I'm just agreeing to listen as you tell me about him.  Mostly because I know you'll describe him so eloquently and I enjoy your accent."

"So he lives in the woods and eats only human flesh?  There's a "but" coming, isn't there?  What's wrong with him?"

"Oh, no, I'm allergic dogs, not cats.  Fine, I'll meet him."

I agreed to meet this wendigo Brian, but I didn't have to like him, and he didn't make it easy.  He ticked me off as soon as he got to the restaurant.

"Hi, you must be Beyonce," he said.  "I'm new to Ottawa, so it's nice to meet a local.  How do you like it?"

"Unbelievable.  I just got out of a relationship and you immediately throw it in my face."

"You're right.  I'm sorry," he said.

"It's fine.  Do you know what you want to eat?"

"I don't know.  I hope they have person here," he said, scanning the menu.  "I don't see it.  I'll just watch you eat and I'll have a hobo later."

"I'm not really comfortable with you watching me eat, and it's rude for you to assume I would be" I said.

"Oh gosh, I just keep putting my foot in my mouth.  Can we start over?"

"Sure."

I love this city.  This Canadian city I'm in is like a person I talk to and has an active part in my life, like a character in a movie.  You're probably thinking...

"Whoa.  I think you went back a little too far," he said.

"And now you're interrupting me.  You are the rudest wendigo I have ever met," I said.

"I'm sorry.  Why don't you just tell me what it's like being the president of Canada?"

"It was great until recently.  I can't stop running into my ex.  For the first time I wish I could get away from Canada but my term doesn't end for another 75 years and 362 days.  The only way I can get out is if we go to war, then the highest ranking military leader will take over."

"Why don't you start a war?"  He asked earnestly.  We were starting to click.  I thought he might not be too bad.

"Canada has been at war for the past five centuries.  If I start another one after I promised I wouldn't in my campaign the people will crucify me.  But enough about me.  What's it like being a Wendigo?"

"It's great.  I've really enjoyed it.  It's totally changed the way I see the world.  Like, before I was kind of lukewarm on the television program Friends but now I love it just by imagining what Chandler's thigh tastes like."

"You monster!  Lukewarm on the television program Friends?  How could you?"  I stood up without even realizing I was doing it.  Then I punched him the face at least a dozen times without even realizing I was doing it.  Then I kneecapped a passing waiter, broke his leg, pulled out the bone and used it to stab Brian in the neck.  "I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have lost it like that.  Will you excuse me?  I need to powder my nose."

"Here, use my cocaine," he offered.  One minute he was a total jerk and the next he was the sweetest guy.  I was so confused.  I took him up on his offer since I was a little low on my own cocaine and went to the restroom.  After a good snort I FaceTimed with Michelle.

There are universes where I am great at Photoshop.  This is not one of them.

"I know.  On paper he seems all wrong for me, but there's something there.  I think I can change him."

"I know everyone says that, but I really can change him with my magic powers."  I looked in my purse until I found the vial I was looking for.  "I'll just use this potion to make him like the television program Friends and fix anything else that's wrong with him.  Thanks for the advice Michelle.  You're amazing.  I only wish the U.S. could accept your relationship with Chairack so you two could live together in your homeland."

With Michelle's help I knew just what to do.  I went back to the table and said "Here, drink this."

"Sure," he said, taking the vial and drinking it in one gulp.

"What were you saying about Friends?" I asked.

"Oh, right.  Could Chandler be any funnier?  Huh.  That's weird.  I don't have any craving for Meatthew Perry anymore.  I don't even like that pun.  I kind of want a burger.  Like, a cow burger."

"Oh no."  I said.  I felt awful.  "That potion made you not an awful monster but it also took away the curse that made you crave human flesh.  I'm sorry, I know how important it was to you."

"It's fine.  These things happen,"  he said.  He's so understanding.  Now.  "So what next?"

"Well, I've turned you into my ideal mate so I guess we live... Wait, take off those glasses.  Great, now your Pygmalion-eque rebirth is complete and we can live happily ever after until the sequel."

"Cool," he said.

"Eh."

Introducing the Multi_Verse

Secret Wars is coming and in May the Marvel Comics multiverse will become a monoverse (universe?) called Battleworld.  All of the existing Marvel universes will collide into one, most notably the main 616 universe and the Ultimate universe.  I think.  I cannot stress enough how little confidence I have in my understanding of this.

You're killing independent Squirrel Girl!

Being the open minded and confused individual that I am I will be reserving my judgment until I read the story and have all the facts.  For now the most important thing in the pro column is my enjoyment of all the interuniversal travel leading up to Secret Wars, like every Spider-Man ever in Spider-Verse and the All New X-Men meeting Miles Morales.

In the six months since I started this blog I've toyed with the idea of alternate universes and told some otherworldly stories.  With all of the talk of alternate universes on my brain, now is the time for me to lay out the details of my own Multi_Verse.

• Earth One

• Earth One is the control.  It is the universe in which you and I live our daily lives.  The universe full of TV shows and movies and music that I have opinions about.  It's the world where Once Upon a Time isn't as good as it should be, Felicity Smoak is better than everyone, and this Star Wars post isn't as well liked as I hoped.

• Earth Two

• This world is much weirder than Earth One.  Earth Two is where I was a wendigo.  It's also where I was interviewed by President Barack Obama and he deported me to North Korea where I lived happily ever after with Beyonce YonceBe, former President of Canada.  It should be noted that in Earth Two it is tradition for the President of Canada to change her last name to the pig latin translation of her first name.  However, that is not the case for Beyonce.  She was given that name at birth because she was destined for greatness.  I know what you're thinking Miranda. Both of those posts have links to Earth One posts. As my only fan you have to know that I appreciate your dedication, but there's a simple explanation for that. Earth Two Brian also has a blog, but obviously it can't be accessed from Earth One so I changed the links to similar posts of mine. I love how invested you are in this, Miranda. Keep up the good work.

• Earth Three

• Some might call Earth Three the darkest timeline, but that would be ill advised considering that world's history of racial tension.  In Earth Three, Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. supernaturally eradicated all racism and prejudice from white people, but it had an unfortunate side effect.  It turned black people into evil creatures, essentially confirming all of the racist fears of Earth One white people as if it were a "brilliant, biting satire."  Miranda's words, not mine.

• Earth Four

• Earth Four has the same basic timeline as Earth Three, but without the side effect.  It is a world of perfect harmony where there is no racism or sexism or any other problems.  It's a lot like John Lennon's "Imagine" but there isn't any condescension either.  Wonder Woman has her own movie, Scarlett Johansson is still with Ryan Reynolds, and I am in a loving polygamous relationship with Emma Stone, 90's Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, and Real-Life In-Her-Early-Thirties Hermione Granger.

• Earth Five

• Peaky Blinders but with giraffes instead of horse racing.  It probably won't come up again.  I just mention it because I like thinking about Cillian Murphy riding through London on the back of a giraffe.  And in the opening scene of the first episode that woman would have to climb a ladder to blow that magic dust stuff into the giraffe's nose.  It just tickles me.

If I add any more universes I will put their information here.

• Earth Six: The Vengencifiers
• I'm a superhero and member of the Vengencifiers team who defeat Lykke Li.  Also, I use a lot of footnotes.
• Earth Seven: The Wild Western Werewolf World
• Werewolves exist and everything has a slight Western vibe but the actual geography isn't necessarily limited the the Western U.S.  The hero is a woman named Richelle Verlaine.  She has anger issues but otherwise is a lovely person.