Hulk (2003)
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A scientist's life is upended when a lab accident transforms him into a powerful, uncontrollable green behemoth.
The story
In the 1960s, researcher David Banner conducts dangerous experiments on himself, leading to a tragic accident and the abandonment of his son, Bruce. In the present day, Bruce is a scientist at Berkeley Lab working with his girlfriend, Betty Ross. When a series of incidents involving radiation and his biological father's reappearance occur, Bruce's suppressed DNA reacts to his stress. He transforms into the Hulk, a massive green humanoid. The military, led by General Ross, begins to track him down as he struggles to contain his inner rage while navigating a complex web of corporate interests and personal history.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The story begins in the 1960s with David Banner, who experiments on himself and creates a mutation in his son, Bruce. After a tragic accident involving his wife, David is institutionalized, and Bruce is raised by others. In the present, Bruce works at Berkeley Lab with his girlfriend, Betty Ross. When a radiation accident occurs, Bruce's DNA merges with the mutation, causing him to transform into the Hulk when stressed. His biological father, David, reappears and seeks to exploit Bruce's power. General Ross, Betty's father, pursues Bruce to contain the threat. The conflict escalates as corporate interests and military forces clash over the Hulk's power. David eventually transforms into a powerful electrical entity, and Bruce must face him in a final battle. After a massive explosion destroys David, Bruce is presumed dead but is later found alive in the Amazon rainforest, where he continues to live as a doctor while the Hulk remains a recurring, feared phenomenon.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 138
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ang Lee
- Writers
- John Turman · screenplay; Michael France · screenplay; James Schamus · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Eric Bana · Bruce Banner; Jennifer Connelly · Betty Ross; Sam Elliott · Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross; Josh Lucas · Glenn Talbot; Nick Nolte · David Banner
- Genres
- superhero; science fiction; action
- Themes
- father-son relationships
- Tone and mood
- tragedy; psychodrama
- Setting
- The 1960s and the present day in locations including the San Francisco Bay Area, a desert, and the Amazon rainforest.
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; mutation; genetic engineering
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Marvel
- Reception
- The film received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, with praise for the cast and direction, but criticism regarding its slow pace and length. It has since gained retrospective praise and a cult following for its unique departure from standard superhero tropes.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 54 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Saturn Awards · Best Actress · 30th · nomination; Saturn Awards · Best Music · 30th · nomination; Saturn Awards · Best Science Fiction Film · 30th · nomination; Saturn Awards · Best Special Effects · 30th · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was intended to be a Greek tragedy.; The Hulk's size varies based on his anger level.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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