Stretch fabric isn't the only miracle on display here. Director Ang Lee has managed to do for comic-book movies with The Hulk what his Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) did for martial-arts movies, namely class up the genre while still delivering thrills. But back to that stretch fabric: One can only assume that it's thanks to the marvel of spandex that scientist Bruce Banner's purple pants stre-e-e-e-tch to fit—and still look flattering—when he morphs into the humongous Hulk. Where can I get me a pair of those?
For those who never caught TV's campy The Incredible Hulk (1978-82) or read the comics upon which the movie is loosely based, Banner (Bana) is a scientist who, after a lab accident, turns into the monstrous Hulk upon losing his temper. What sets Hulk apart from other comic-book flicks is that the sulking Hulk is no superhero out to save the planet but rather an unwelcome and involuntary physical manifestation of our human hero's rage. The Hulk's tantrums are like those of a cranky 3-year-old, except he's tossing around real tanks and helicopters rather than toy ones. This is comic-book movie as Freudian drama (Banner must overcome his meddling mad-scientist father, overplayed by Nolte) and as romantic fairy tale (a beautiful woman—that would be Connelly—has to recognize the man she loves within the fuming beast).
It doesn't all work. The initial setup is slow going, neither Bana nor Connelly register all that strongly, and there are too many shots of lichen clinging to rocks (if these are to symbolize enduring life forms, why not just show a cockroach?). What is exhilaratingly right, though, is the computer-generated Hulk. he may resemble a pumped-up Shrek with hair, but when he really swings into action halfway through the movie, there's no going back. Spiderman and Batman can't hold a cape to this guy. (PG-13) BOTTOM LINE: All hail the conquering Hulk
Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson
This is two movies for the price of one, but even at that discount rate, it's a deal you can pass on. Alex & Emma is a wimpy romantic comedy in which novelist Alex Sheldon (Wilson) hires stenographer Emma Dinsmore (Hudson) so that he can hurriedly dictate his latest book. He must finish it in 30 days to collect his advance and repay $100,000 to loan sharks. The movie keeps shifting between Alex and Emma spatting now, and scenes from the 1920s love story that Alex is writing, with Wilson and Hudson doing dual duty as characters in the novel. It's a double dose of tedium, though, as neither the present-day duo nor their vintage counterparts amount to anything more than insipid constructs.
Director Rob Reiner, who also plays Alex's sympathetic publisher, pushes too hard for laughs—you can nearly see sweat beads forming on the screen. No Mr. Excitement, Wilson lacks the magnetism to play a romantic lead, while Hudson flops around trying to get a handle on her various characters. (PG-13) BOTTOM LINE: Minor & Irritating
These new DVD special editions will help you prep for this summer's blockbusters.
•T2: Extreme DVD (Artisan, $29.98) In 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day proved that action flicks could have eye-popping effects and a moving storyline. Extras 16 extra minutes, which actually enhance the film, a witty Pop-Up Video-like trivia track and enthralling audio commentary by director James Cameron, who at one point takes a sly swipe at July's Cameron-less Terminator 3. (R)
•The Animatrix (Warner, $24.98) This exhilarating collection of nine animated short films offers new insight into the Matrix world. Plot points from two of the shorts, the wondrous Final Flight of the Osiris and Kid's Story resurface in The Matrix Reloaded. Extras A terrific primer on Japanese anime. (Not rated)
•The Fast and the Furious Tricked Out Edition (Universal, $26.98) Its script could have used a tune-up, but 2001's Fast still provided quite a rush. Extras Forget the hyperbolic commentary from director Rob Cohen and the bland five-minute prelude to the sequel, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and skip to the fun feature on tricking out a car. (Got a spare $50,000?) (PG-13)
- Contributors:
- Jason Lynch.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
