Iron Man/Incredible Hulk Review, First Look at 'Avengers'

Iron Man/The Incredible Hulk
A friend and I excitingly went to watch "Iron Man" back in it's original summer release at the theater. I didn't really know what to expect not being an original Iron Man fan previously (I mean, I used to watch the Sunday morning cartoon growing up but what adolescent boy didn't?). I had an acquired taste for actor/director Jon Favreau ('Made', 'Zathura: A Space Adventure')'s style (not that it was hard to do so) and for Robert Downey Jr. ('Zodiac'/'Tropic Thunder')'s recent skyrocket back into the spotlight. At no surprise at all, the film was far from disappointment. 

Let's take a look at the character Tony Stark. I'm sure if some of us haven't seen the movie, 

of us have surely seen the trailer. Tony Stark is rich, famous, powerful, smart, good looking; virtually possesses all of the unstoppable forces in popularity. Oh yeah, and did I mention he's good with the ladies? I couldn't help but feel that Downey's portrayal of Tony Stark is more fascinating rather than envious. Downey charms his audience rather than turning his nose to it. Tony Stark's character is also surrounded by grounded figures that I couldn't help but feel that they provided a previous development in his character, such as his faithful assistant Pepper Potts, played by Gwenyth Paltrow (Running With Scissors) (my only disappointment of the film, but it's this reviewers opinion that Gwenyth Paltrow is not always a good choice) and his reluctant partner in crime and military official Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes played naturally by Terrance Howard ('Crash'/'Hustle and Flow'). Although Tony surrounds himself with down-to-Earth figures, reality (so to speak) slams down on him when he is captured, severely injured, and becomes a prisoner of war in the middle east. This is where the story hits home for a lot of Americans. It is at this point where we see a pop icon transform into a hero. 

There are countless big-budget, special effects-filled films that tend to fall short from the story (which I like to call the Matrix Effect, something I will discuss in another blog). However, the conflict in Iron Man is not suppressed by the fancy-pants effects. Tony Stark has a vulnerability as well as a threatening rival, the infamous Iron Monger, a much bigger and stronger version of the Iron Man suit controlled by Obediah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski), Tony's rogue-turned business partner. These conflicts function well with the f/x, like ingredients for an excellent soup. 

I always believed that empathy and selflessness made up the majority of a memorable superhero character. I can see these qualities in Tony Stark, which is why 'Iron Man' was a success for me. He uses his privileges/advantages to help others. 

I do feel, however, all of the qualities that worked for "Iron Man" is where "The Incredible Hulk" fell short on delivery. 

First, let's look at the cast. Edward Norton ('American History X', '25th Hour') plays Bruce Banner, otherwise known as the catalyst for the Hulk. Bruce Banner's character is emotionally tortured; having to live in seclusion in a small town in Brazil, using unorthodox practices to keep his heart rate down that prevents the Hulk from emerging, and working in a factory with people with a prison mentality. Right off the bat, I liked where the story was going. I witnessed heroic characteristics in Bruce Banner, such as loneliness and internal conflict, but the story goes nowhere. The film leaves me wondering why I should continue to care about Bruce's character. I'm sympathetic at first, but my emotional investment is taken for granted rather than relieved or reestablished. 

Liv Tyler ('Lord of the Rings', 'The Strangers') is simply a waste of good talent. She plays Betty Ross who is Bruce Banner's love interest and the daughter of his enemy General Ross played by William Hurt (Vantage Point). Her character is far from memorable (aside from her unique beauty) and simply acts as an emotional defense on Bruce Banner's behalf, which is how, I think, a lot of female characters are regretfully written in big budget films. 

The film's climax is similar to that of Iron Man. There is a fight scene between two 

 that tears apart half a city. However, Tony Stark's character was brilliant during these special effects filled scenes where as the Hulk was just, well, the Hulk. There is also another scene that is ripped directly from Peter Jackson's King Kong that acts more as a rip-off rather than a scene that pays homage.

'The Incredible Hulk' is supposedly the "ideal version" of an onscreen portrayal for those who found Ang Lee's "The Hulk" release in 2003 too "idealistic" or just plain sucky (I didn't care for Lee's version myself). However, I was disappointed to see talent, story, money, etc. wasted on this film. The legend of the Hulk never really struck a chord with me, but I always keep an open mind for every film. "The Incredible Hulk" is thoughtless and I believe the entire "Hulk" film franchise should be taken back to formula. 

Now let's take a look at the upcoming "The Avengers", scheduled for release in 2011. If you stuck around after the credits of "Iron Man" and the last cut of the "Incredible Hulk", there is a crossover (I will not go into detail about it so I won't spoil for those who haven't) that hints into the "Avenger" initiative. 

The news about "The Avengers" is limited, but here is what you can expect:

Marvel is set to release "Iron Man 2", "Thor", and "Ant-Man" all within months of each other in summer 2010. Captain America will make his big screen debut on May 6th 2011 under the title "The First Avenger: Captain America", two months shy of "The Avengers" release on July 15th of the same year. 

Robert Downey Jr. is expected to reprise his role in the Iron Man sequel and in Avengers. Don Cheadle is to take over the character Rhodey (otherwise known as War Machine) from Terrance Howard (two terrific actors, but an unjust takeover if I may say). Rumor has it that Samuel L. Jackson might have a role, too!

All original characters are expected to be in "The Avengers", except I'm not so sure about the Hulk. But there is still plenty of time between now and then, which gives studios plenty of time to scrap ideas, characters, etc. so don't hold your breath.