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'Hulk' is an astonishing film, a work of art. Once the monster is unleashed it's never not mindblowing. The visuals are stunning, imaginative, weird, dream-like, and sad. The Hulk scenes are a rush, they're emotional; this thing is a troubled beast, the personification of rage and frustration, a powerhouse that bombs it along canyons, smashes helicopters into the ground, crashes through pavements and leaps miles at a time. These scenes are up there with my favourite movie moments of all time. They're realised so beautifully, with the same surreal flavour and, at times, odd peaceful quality that Ang Lee brought to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.The much-criticised CG Hulk? It's great. He's a living, breathing thing. He has mass, and a personality. I LOVE the moment with his dad touching his face. The dog fight was just incredible, and what about the transformation in the street when he shrinks back into Bruce? What about the scene in the trees? What about the AMAZING shots where he appears at the top of the stairs, or rolls down the sand dunes, or grows in size again, or comes out of the trees to meet Betty, or bursts out of the glass tube AND ROARS!? It's all so lump-in-your-throat cathartic, and gives me the same feeling as the scenes in the 'Spider-Man' films where Spidey swings through the city – it's tapping directly into the visuals of my childhood imagination. It's a FORCE. The film is a moving comic, the screen breaking up into panels and even pulling back from one shot to move across the 'page' and dive into the next. The use of split screen effects is audacious, and while I can live with the lack of Oscar recognition for the effects, the non-attention given to the editing is a crime.Eric Bana is fantastic. His character is basically a place holder for his alter ego, but he makes an impression. I love his anger, how he puffs out his cheeks like he can barely control himself. Great shot where the camera shakes and rolls around when he transforms in front of Talbot. Jennifer Connelly is so adorable I think I might have fallen in love with her. When she lands in a helicopter in the street, just look at that expression on her face. Wow. Nick Nolte is just excellent here; hammy, yeah, and so f*cking brilliant at it. The cast is fighting for attention against the Hulk and the frankly bafflingly stylish look of the movie and they do come off second best, but still – there are some class performances here. And they're working from a screenplay that does anything but pander to the brainless blockbuster mentality and ensures that even when the Hulk isn't on screen there's plenty to chew on. It's just wonderful, comic booky in the best way. What a thoughtful, intricate film this is.
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