Incredible Hulk Cast 2003

incredible hulk cast 2003

Ang Lee’s take on superheroes is still an intriguing one, 20 years on. Moviegoers that want a colorful cartoon parade or expect a film to pander to them with one-liners and fan service will balk, but those willing to give the film a chance to reveal its human characters at their most vulnerable (and then see them transformed into a giant green beast) will be well-rewarded.

As with his other movies, the director uses split screens and creative wipe effects to accentuate key moments. While those effects may seem dated by today’s standards, they add a sense of urgency and a visual style that sets the film apart from its summer blockbuster competition. Lee’s casting of older actors over younger up-and-comers also signals his intent to take some big risks.

The film focuses on mad geneticist David Banner, who performs experiments on himself to alter his DNA and pass them on to his son, Bruce. During a lab accident, the high exposure of gamma radiation unleashes the Hulk inside Bruce, who turns into the massive green monster whenever he becomes emotionally agitated and in touch with his anger. Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly) tries to help him control his split personality while her father Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (Sam Elliott) and shady government contractor Glenn Talbot (Josh Lucas) seek to capture the monster for their own profit.

Although the CGI in the film was surpassed by later iterations, there is a soulfulness and rawness to the Hulk’s close-ups and an intensity in his outbursts. Lee’s editing and cinematography are also noteworthy, particularly the use of split screens to offer different perspectives on a scene.

The cast includes Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, the mild-mannered scientist who takes several hits of gamma radiation and mutates into a green monster; Nick Nolte as his abusive father David; and Cara Buono as Edith, his mother whom he cannot remember. Johnny Kastl, Celia Weston, Lou Ferrigno and Stan Lee make supporting appearances.

As a whole, this is a well-acted drama with some impressive action sequences. Its greatest strength lies in its exploration of the relationship between father and son, and the rage that arises from it. However, nitpickers will still be quick to complain about the film’s length and the way that its human characters lean into melodrama. While any film with a costume and effects budget can create colorful images, only great movies like Superman and The Dark Knight Trilogy go deeper into character development and psychology.