Fight Club Blu-Ray Review

Rated R (Disturbing and Graphic Depiction of Violent Anti-Social Behavior, Sexuality and Language)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 19 minutes

Cast-

Edward Norton-The Narrator

Brad Pitt-Tyler Durden

Helena Bonham Carter-Marla Singer

Michael Lee Aday/Meat Loaf-Robert 'Bob' Paulson

Jared Leto-Angel Face

Zach Grenier-Richard Chesler

Rachel Singer-Chloe

Eion Bailey-Ricky

Evan Mirand-Steph

Thom Gossom Jr.- Detective Stern

Peter Iacangelo-Lou

Joon B. Kim-Raymond K. Hessel

Van Quattro-Detective Andrew

Markus Redmond-Detective Kevin

Michael Girardin-Detective Walker

Directed by David Fincher

"Welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club!"

Note: This is a review of the Steelbook Blu-Ray released in Germany in 2008, which was superseded by the "10th Anniversary Edition" released in the US a year later. 

David Fincher's "Fight Club" is certainly one of the strangest films I have ever seen with its powerful social message mixed in with bloody, sadistic violence but is it as good as fans make it out to be? I'm happy to report that it is despite a somewhat unfocused script. In fact, “Fight Club” is an excellent and unique film that warrants nothing but a full recommendation. It will change the way you perceive the world.

Based on the 1996 novel of the same name written by Chuck Palahniuk, "Fight Club" tells the story of...well, he has no name but we do know he is played by Edward Norton! This narrator works at an automobile company who travels to accident sites to see if a product recall is needed. He does this by using a simple formula and if the cost is less than the out-of-court settlement, a recall is issued. The Narrator also suffers from extreme insomnia. To cure this, he attends support groups (such as those recovering from testicular cancer) and finds weeping to be an emotional outlet for him, allowing him to sleep. Unfortunately, another 'tourist' named Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter) disrupts his routine and the insomnia returns. While returning from a business trip, the Narrator meets the charismatic Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), who makes and sells soap. The two strikes up an immediate friendship and after a freak accident that causes an explosion at the Narrator's condo, Durden invites him back to his home on the condition that he hit him as hard as he can. The two end up enjoying a fist fight and soon they attract a crowd. A 'Fight Club' is born. I don't want to say any more about what happens because this is something that you have to experience for yourself.

"Fight Club" is one of those films that you cannot use words to explain. The film is incredibly funny at times, featuring some black comedy and satire to keep it from being depressing. An example of this comedy occurs at the beginning where Norton's character is hugged by an enormous man (played by musician 'Meat Loaf') with 'bitch tits,' and he narrates that by surrounding himself with people who are really suffering, he can finally sleep normally. Another scene that stood out is when Durden splices single frames from pornography into family movies that appears for only a split-second. 'Nobody knows that they saw it, but they did...a nice, big cock,' he remarks. What really made "Fight Club" turn into such a cult classic is the way the story attacks consumerism as Fincher's film is pretty much anti-everything. This theme will require a lengthy explanation so let's get the other stuff out of the way first.

If there's one thing that people remembered when they watched the film back in 1999, it's Brad Pitt's amazing performance as the insane yet clever Tyler Durden. I know a lot of people rag on the actor because he's 'too pretty' but you can't deny how excellent he is in the role and it's a mystery as to why he didn't even get nominated for an Academy Award. He is to "Fight Club" as Heath Ledger is to "The Dark Knight." Durden is just a man, but the way he speaks has a magnetism that is hard to ignore, making you blindly follow him and not question his motives. He always has a plan, and explains how people around him have become so obsessed with material possessions. There's a big twist near the end of the film that reveals his relationship to the Narrator but again, this is something you'll have to found out for yourself. Suffice to say, thanks to Pitt's excellent performance, you can't help but start listening to Tyler Durden. Edward Norton is also excellent playing the everyman character. He even looks like a man who's just going through the motions, watching as his life flies by and allowing his possessions to define who he is. I must applaud his commitment as while filming, he starved himself while Pitt worked out. There's a reason for this but it ties into the twist. Helena Bonham Carter offers a great performance as well and does a fine job with an American accent. If I didn't know that she was British, she seriously could've fooled me.

"Fight Club" is filmed in a unique visual style that often makes it look bland and boring. Scenes that have Durden take place in torn down, dilapidated settings that serve to highlight the Narrator's decaying sense of reality. Many scenes are incredibly dark and the only lighting used is the ones that were already there at the time of filming. Even the lurid color palette creates a sense of unease in the viewer. Unfortunately this style doesn't especially lend itself well to Blu-Ray. Making it worse is the fact that the master copy used wasn't in good condition as there are black specks that pop up constantly. Many of the night scenes look incredibly fuzzy. "Fight Club" on Blu-Ray is currently only available in Germany so you'll have to import it, but I highly do not recommend this due to the poor video quality. Fortunately, audio is solid as we're treated to life-like and brutal sound effects during the fist fights. It does come in a stylish steelbook but unless you're a diehard fan or a collector, wait until 20th Century Fox announces it for North America as "Fight Club" is by far the worst Blu-Ray transfer I've ever seen.

Now comes the interesting part. Just what is the point of Fincher's film? Well, that's just it because the point is left ambiguous to the viewer. The film attacks consumerism head on with the Narrator talking about how he is obsessed with the 'Ikea nesting instinct.' He owns all of this great furniture to present himself as a happy, normal person but in reality, he's nothing inside. At one point, he remarks that his refrigerator has only condiments but no food. Condiments only serve to make food taste better but they can't be actual food. We buy all this stuff that we think we need so that we can make ourselves appear to have substance, but in fact, we don't. Durden also says that men today are raised by an increasingly matriarchal society and many times, the film questions masculinity, such as when the Narrator points out a Calvin Klein advertisement and asks, 'Is that what a real man is supposed to look like?' This goes hand-in-hand with the Ikea nesting instinct that Durden sees as a result of men being 'feminized.' "Fight Club" also attacks advertising because it gives people a false sense that you're special. You're not special, your job doesn't make you special, the money in your bank account doesn't make you special, the kind of car doesn't make you special, and what you wear doesn't make you special. 'You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else,' he says. What of the fight clubs then? Well, since all the men participating have an emptiness inside, the fight club fills that emptiness, gives them a sense of purpose, makes them a man. So is it glorifying violence? Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't; this is something you'll have to decide for yourself. By the end, Durden has come to attack all institutions and value systems, seeking to simply destroy. Is he right that we're all controlled by flashy commercials and the objects we own? That we work so hard to make ourselves feel special but end up leading purposeless lives? Again, you'll have to answer those questions yourself. "Fight Club" is a film that has incredible depth and you could spend years nitpicking but it does make the story a little all over the place and you're left with a lot of questions. Perhaps this is what David Fincher wants. To make up our own damn minds!

Despite its unfocused plot, I see no reason not to give "Fight Club" a full score. It remains as Fincher’s magnum opus and one of the best films I've ever seen, due in no small part that it will change your perception of the world. Not a lot of movies do that and if you find out that a friend hasn't seen "Fight Club," tie them to a chair and make them watch it. It currently holds an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes but it ended up flopping at the domestic box office, making only $37 million. Only by factoring in the overseas gross did it cover its $63 million budget. “Fight Club” still remains as one of the most talked about films to this day, its themes dissected and debated or dismissed as nothing but a bunch of pseudo-philosophical babble. Nonetheless, there’s no denying its impact. You will come to obey Tyler Durden!

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."

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Spider-Man 3 Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Sequences of Intense Action Violence)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 19 Minutes

Cast-

Tobey Maguire-Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Kirsten Dunst-Mary Jane Watson

James Franco-Harry Osborn/New Goblin

Thomas Haden Church-Flint Marko/The Sandman

Topher Grace-Edward Brock Jr./Venom

Bryce Dallas Howard-Gwen Stacy

Rosemary Harris-May Parker

J.K. Simmons-J. Jonah Jameson

James Cromwell-Police Captain George Stacy

Dylan Baker-Dr. Curt Connors

Bill Nunn-Joe 'Robbie' Robertson

Elizabeth Banks-Betty Brant

Ted Raimi-Hoffman

Cliff Robertson-Ben Parker

Willem Dafoe-Norman Osborn/Green Goblin

Theresa Russell-Emma Marko

Perla Haney-Jardine-Penny Marko

Elya Baskin-Mr. Ditkovitch

Mageina Tovah-Ursula Ditkovich

Joe Manganiello-Eugene 'Flash' Thompson

Michael Papajohn-Dennis Carradine/The Carjacker

Bruce Campbell-French Maître d'

Directed by Sam Raimi

In "Spider-Man 3," Peter Parker confronts his dark side when a parasitic alien attaches itself to his costume.

Note: Part of the "Spider-Man: The High Definition Trilogy" Blu-Ray set.

The trilogy is now complete, and no, we're not talking about "Star Wars" but "Spider-Man," specifically "Spider-Man 3," the latest installment of the series based on Marvel's flagship character. It certainly isn't the last movie, as both director Sam Raimi and lead actor Tobey Maguire has already signed on to do the fourth and fifth installments, filming both back to back like the second and third "Pirates of the Caribbean" films. Hopefully, they'll give the series a proper send-off as doing any more runs the risk of ruining the franchise. Despite the hype for the film exceeding both the previous movies, with tickets selling like hot cakes on Fandango, "Spider-Man 3" ultimately proved to be a disappointment and buckled under the weight of its overstuffed story.

The film takes place approximately six months after the events of "Spider-Man 2," with Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) on top of the world. The people of New York City now love him and he's planning to propose to Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). However, a storm is brewing on the horizon. A mysterious meteorite crashes into Central Park, and an alien 'symbiote' oozes out, attaching itself to Peter's moped. Peter soon learns that the actual killer of his Uncle Ben is still at large and it is none other than Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who becomes the Sandman after a freak accident. One night, while Peter is asleep, the symbiote bonds itself to his costume, turning it jet black and increasing his superhuman abilities tenfold. He uses his newfound power to defeat the Sandman but the symbiote soon begins to corrupt him, making him more aggressive and alienating his loved ones. To make matters worse, Harry Osborn (James Franco) takes matters into his own hands, recreating the experiment that turned his father insane and taking up the mantle as the second Green Goblin. Peter manages to shake himself of the symbiote's influence but it manages to find another host, Edward Brock Jr. (Topher Grace), a jealous rival and photographer at the Daily Bugle who becomes the monstrous Venom. Peter must now confront the darkness within his soul in order to face his greatest challenge yet.

If you were confused by that brief plot summary, that's all right because "Spider-Man 3" is like having breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at the same time. Written by Sam and Ivan Raimi—with Alvin Sargent contributing—the script is definitely the main reason why this installment is the weakest out of the entire trilogy. There are just way too many characters and way too many subplots. In fact, it's a miracle that the film is even coherent at all. Some of the new characters are given so little screen-time that it would've been better to excise them altogether to create a more streamlined narrative. Gwen Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, appears in only a handful of scenes and serves to create a love triangle between her, Peter, and Mary Jane. This is added to an already existing love triangle between Peter, Harry, and Mary Jane! Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the addition of Venom. For a character that has been a fan favorite for over a decade, he only appears for about twenty minutes during the final battle and is easily beaten. To be honest, the Sandman shouldn't have been in the film to begin with because he was never a compelling character in the comics. This would've allowed the story to focus more on Harry as the new Green Goblin and give enough breathing room to set-up Venom as a threat. If you must have Sandman, then an alternative would've been to end the movie when the symbiote attaches itself to Brock (which many fans speculated to be true) and then have the fourth installment devote itself entirely to Spidey and Venom's conflict. I have mentioned that the humor in the previous films provided a nice balance to its more serious aspects but here it got way out of hand, particularly when a corrupted Peter (with his emo-looking hair) starts dancing on the street like a moron. I did like how the symbiote made Peter look like a drug addict to show how it's slowly taking over him but the dancing was just too much for me. The story is certainly ambitious with its themes of revenge and forgiveness but the various subplots weight it down, resulting in a "Spider-Man" film that's a far cry from the high standards set forth by its predecessors.

The acting is still good for the most part, although I didn't like the characterization of Mary Jane this time around. I know the writers wanted to give her more obstacles but it ended up making her seem selfish at times. Thomas Haden Church did a great job as Sandman, making him a sympathetic villain who's not truly evil at heart and just wants to cure his sick daughter. Topher Grace gives a mixed performance due to the fact that there's just not enough back-story for him in the film due to the many subplots vying for our attention. Nevertheless, he tries his best with what little he has and the Venom suit does look cool. At least the special effects are still excellent, especially the sand effects. The action scenes are rather intense, particularly the first one where Peter and Harry engage in a brutal airborne battle over the rooftops of New York City. However, I'm not a big fan of Harry's 'New Goblin' costume, which makes him look like a surfboarding ninja. The only fight scene that bothered me was the last one involving the Giant Sandman. It just seemed a little too cartoonish for my taste.

When "Spider-Man 3" was released on May 4, 2007 (a three year gap was set to allow more time to refine the visual effects), reviews were initially promising but it ended up getting a mixed reception with 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the action scenes but concluded that the film wasn't 'quite as refined as the first two.' It made a whopping $151.1 million during its opening weekend (which has since been surpassed by "The Dark Knight") but ended up with only a domestic total of $336.5 million. However, it's the most successful film out of the franchise with its massive worldwide box office gross of $890.1 million. Arriving five months after its theatrical release, the Blu-Ray is flawless, with stunning picture quality and sound. Film grain is minimal, and the audio is sharp and loud, particularly during the fight scenes, which will give your sound system a workout. Unlike the previous two films, a plethora of supplements are included, with two informative audio commentaries (one with the entire cast and the other with the producers) and a feature-length documentary on the making of the film on a separate disc. I know a lot of people condemn this movie but I don't feel "Spider-Man 3" is that bad. In fact, it ended up being an entertaining comic book flick in its own right. No one will dispute that "Spider-Man 3" is the weakest out of the entire trilogy as it ends up collapsing under the weight of its lofty ambitions. However, that shouldn't stop you from watching it and overall, it provides a satisfying enough conclusion to one of the best comic book movie franchises we've seen in awhile.

Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5

"Uncle Ben meant the world to us. But he wouldn't want us living one second with revenge in our hearts. It's like a poison that can take you over. And before you know it, turn us into something ugly."

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Spider-Man 2.1 Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Stylized Action Violence)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 15 Minutes

Cast-

Tobey Maguire-Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Alfred Molina-Dr. Otto Octavius/Dr. Octopus

Kirsten Dunst-Mary Jane Watson

James Franco-Harry Osborn

Donna Murphy-Rosalie Octavius

Rosemary Harris-May Parker

J.K. Simmons-J. Jonah Jameson

Daniel Gillies-John Jameson

Dylan Baker-Dr. Curt Connors

Bill Nunn-Joe 'Robbie' Robertson

Elizabeth Banks-Betty Brant

Cliff Robertson-Ben Parker

Willem Dafoe-Norman Osborn/Green Goblin

Vanessa Ferlito-Louise

Aasif Mandvi-Mr. Aziz

Ted Raimi-Hoffman

Elya Baskin-Mr. Ditkovich

Mageina Tovah-Ursula Ditkovich

Bruce Campbell-Snooty Usher

Directed by Sam Raimi

"Spider-Man 2" finds our friendly-neighborhood wall-crawler facing off against Dr. Octopus.

Note: Part of the "Spider-Man: The High Definition Trilogy" Blu-Ray set.

After the unexpected success of 2002's "Spider-Man," a sequel was pretty much a no-brainer, and the hype leading up to its release in the summer of 2004 reached epic proportions. Although intended to be released in May, it was delayed a full month in order to allow director Sam Raimi and the crew to make sure the movie felt complete. Like the original, the film became a critical and commercial success but did not surpass the first film in terms of worldwide box office receipts. However, most people consider "Spider-Man 2" to be the best out of the entire trilogy in terms of story and emotional impact.

Taking place two years after its predecessor, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is still getting use to his superhero career as Spider-Man but life continues to throw obstacles at him. He lives alone in a rickety apartment, can barely pay his bills or keep up with his classes at Columbia University. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) continues to be the object of his affection but due to his responsibilities he cannot be with her. Meanwhile, Harry Osborn (James Franco) seeks vengeance against Spider-Man, believing him to have murdered his father Norman (Willem Dafoe) and straining his friendship with Peter. Harry is now part of Oscorp's research division and is funding one of Peter's idols, the brilliant scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), who is about to make a breakthrough on fusion (random trivia: the experiment presented in the film is possible in theory but just cannot be done with the technology available right now). During the demonstration, something goes horribly wrong (again?!) and Otto's body is fused to four mechanical limbs through his spine, becoming the villainous 'Dr. Octopus.' He becomes obsessed with continuing his experiment, putting New York City at great risk. Unfortunately, Peter discovers that he has now lost his powers and decides to use this chance to reconnect with Mary Jane. When Harry, completely obsessed with capturing Spider-Man, forms an alliance with Dr. Octopus, Peter must discover the courage to accept his destiny before he loses everything he holds dear.

Before I delve into the movie itself, let me just say that when I saw it in the theater back in 2004, the entire audience gave it a standing ovation. At the time, "Spider-Man 2" was the best comic book movie ever made. If "The Dark Knight" was about how easily men were corrupted and what lengths a person would go to save a city, than "Spider-Man 2" is about a young man finding himself, and ultimately embracing his destiny and place in the world. Writers Alvin Sargent, Michael Chabon, Alfred Gough, and Miles Millar really delved deep into what a man would do if he had super powers and how he would sacrifice all sense of a normal life for the greater good. There was one scene where Peter finally admits to his Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) about him being indirectly responsible for his Uncle Ben's death and you think to yourself, would you be as strong as Peter to admit such a thing? To be honest, I don't think I could've been that brave and this is precisely why Spider-Man makes for such a great model despite being a fictional character. Excellent scenes like the one I just mentioned are all over the film and you'll be hard pressed not to sympathize with what Peter is going through, even if this is 'only a comic book film.' There's also a lot of humor but it never detracts from the story's more serious aspects, with the elevator scene and J. Jonah Jameson wearing Spider-Man's costume being laugh out loud funny.

The performances are even better than the original, as the cast is now more comfortable in their roles. Tobey Maguire continues to shine as Peter Parker, the everyman character that's just trying to make ends meet despite his superhuman abilities. When we imagine ourselves with powers, we'd think our lives would be easier but that's far from the truth; in fact it only serves to make our life harder than it already is. Kirsten Dunst is also great as Mary Jane Watson and although there are still people who complain about her acting ability, I just can't see anyone else playing as her. She has great chemistry with Maguire and proves why Peter and Mary Jane are one of the most beloved couples in comic books. Even James Franco went through a major improvement and perfectly captures Harry's slow descent into insanity. The depiction of Dr. Octopus by Alfred Molina is not entirely true to the source material as he's a much more sympathetic character here but this actually makes the movie stronger. It's a nice change of pace that the villain isn't defeated by pummeling them to death but having Spidey save Mary Jane again feels a little overused even though this is just the second film.

With a bigger budget, the special effects have been given an upgrade and this time around the camera follows Spidey swinging through Manhattan without getting so close that all you see is a red-and-blue blur (which was a problem in the first film). Dr. Octopus' tentacles were actually built from scratch and I applaud the film crew for utilizing practical effects as much as possible, with CGI only used when absolutely necessary. The action scenes are superb and will leave you feeling a sense of awe. The most memorable one would have to be the clock tower and the subsequent subway battle between Spidey and Doc Ock. You'll see Spidey try to stop an out-of-control subway while only relying on his strength and webbing and then raise your fists in the air when he succeeds!

Released on June 30, 2004, "Spider-Man 2" currently holds an amazing (pun definitely intended!) 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics hailed it for 'boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus,' concluding that this 'nimble sequel…improves upon the original' in every way. Roger Ebert even proclaimed the film as the best superhero movie since 1978's "Superman" and even pushed it as a potential Academy Award contender. It didn't get any Best Picture nominations but it did win the award for Best Visual Effects. Although its $783.8 million worldwide gross is less than what the original made, this is still an overwhelming success, all things considered. Swinging onto Blu-Ray in October 2007, this high definition release is pretty solid. The picture quality has just the right amount of film grain without smearing background details with an unseemly fuzz. Audio is excellent, as you're treated to another epic score from Danny Elfman and some incredibly loud kicks and punches. Hell, it'll feel like you're the one getting punched! The Blu-Ray contains the theatrical and extended version of "Spider-Man 2," dubbed "2.1," and contains an extra eight minutes of material. They're mostly dialogue scenes but the fights are longer and more brutal, making an already great film even greater. Unfortunately, there are no supplements at all. Like its predecessor, it's only the movie itself on a single BD-50 disc. "Spider-Man 2" improves upon its sequel in almost every way with its amazing story, performances, and special effects. Certainly that's enough to convince you to watch it again in glorious high definition!

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams."

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Spider-Man Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Stylized Violence and Action)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 1 Minute

Cast-

Tobey Maguire-Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Willem Dafoe-Norman Osborn/Green Goblin

Kirsten Dunst-Mary Jane Watson

James Franco-Harry Osborn

Rosemary Harris-May Parker

Cliff Robertson-Ben Parker

J.K. Simmons-J. Jonah Jameson

Bill Nunn-Joe 'Robbie' Robertson

Elizabeth Banks-Betty Brant

Joe Manganiello-Eugene 'Flash' Thompson

Gerry Becker-Maximilian Fargas

Jack Betts-Henry Balkan

Stanley Anderson-General Slocum

Ron Perkins-Dr. Mendell Stromm

Ted Raimi-Hoffman

Randy Savage-Bone Saw McGraw

Michael Papajohn-The Carjacker
Bruce Campbell-Ring Announcer

Directed by Sam Raimi

Mary Jane: Is it just me or are you happy to see me, Spidey?

Note: Part of the "Spider-Man: The High Definition Trilogy" Blu-Ray set.

When it comes to comic book movies, there's certainly no short supply, with two high profile ones scheduled for this year: the highly anticipated "Watchmen," based upon the celebrated graphic novel of the same name, and the X-Men spin-off "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," with Hugh Jackman reprising his role as the titular character. The most successful comic book movie franchise (so far) is Columbia Pictures/Sony's "Spider-Man" trilogy, based on the famous Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962. One of the most popular comic book characters of all time, Marvel had long sought to do a film adaptation of Spider-Man but the project was stuck in development hell for over twenty-five years. Production finally went underway in 2000, with the film being released on May 3, 2002 to critical and commercial success. I must admit, I was blown away when I first saw it in theaters and must've watched it over a hundred times when it came out on DVD, with all the dialogue firmly ingrained in my mind. The upside-down kiss scene quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. The simply titled "Spider-Man" is now available on Blu-Ray, courtesy of the "Spider-Man: The High Definition Trilogy" box set.

"Spider-Man" tells the story of Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), who lives with his Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) in Forest Hills, Queens. Despite being your average everyday teenager, his peers often bully him due to his strong interest in science. Peter's best friend is Harry Osborn (James Franco), son of wealthy scientist/industrialist Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), who owns the company Oscorp. His next door neighbor is the beautiful Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), whom he secretly pines for. While on a school field trip to Columbia University, Peter is suddenly bitten by a genetically altered spider (it was a radioactive spider in the comics) and wakes up the next day to find that he has 20/20 vision and a suddenly athletic physique. He soon realizes that the spider-bite has given him the proportionate speed, strength, and agility of a spider and attempts to use his new abilities for his own personal gain by entering a local wrestling contest. Peter easily wins but is cheated out of the prize money. A thief (Michael Papajohn) later steals all of the promoter's money and in retaliation, Peter allows him to escape. However, that same thief murders his beloved Uncle Ben. Peter realizes he could've stopped the thief if he chose to, making him indirectly responsible. Remembering his Uncle's words that 'with great power comes great responsibility,' Peter becomes the costumed crime fighter known as 'The Amazing Spider-Man'! Meanwhile, Norman Osborn has begun experimenting on himself through a pseudo-super soldier serum but everything goes horribly wrong (as they always do!) and becomes the maniacal 'Green Goblin,' who begins to threaten everything that Peter holds dear.

"Spider-Man" is one of the most faithful comic book film adaptations I've ever had the pleasure to see and the first hour successfully captures Peter coming to terms with the fact that he now has super powers (a metaphor for puberty) in both a serious and humorous tone (the scene where he attempts to shoot webbing is hilarious!). The second hour is somewhat derivative and moves at a somewhat rushed pace to lead into the final battle but nonetheless, "Spider-Man" still ranks as one of the best comic book movies ever made. There are some changes from the source material and the most controversial is having the spider-bite grant Peter the ability to shoot webbing organically from his wrists rather than having him invent mechanical web-shooters. Director Sam Raimi said that having Peter make his own web-shooters would've stretched the audiences’ suspension of disbelief too much despite it being a longtime staple of the comic book. Though it irked some fans, the change was more or less accepted. Perhaps the most criticized element of the film was the Green Goblin's costume, which resembled cybernetic armor but fans focused their complaints on the mask, which has a frozen, permanent grin that severely limited Willem Dafoe's expression. While the armor itself is well-designed, I agree with the fans' complaints about the mask. A 100% adaptation of his costume from the comics would've looked silly on-screen but a reasonable alternative could've been the 'medieval chainmail armor' that Osborn wore in Peter Parker: Spider-Man. Overall, these are minor issues at best and despite the second hour not being as good as the first, Raimi's passion for the character allows "Spider-Man" to shine even after seven years later.

The performances surprised everyone and while the initial casting of Tobey Maguire was met with skepticism, critics and audiences alike quickly embraced him and it’s hard to think of anyone else in the role. Willem Dafoe as the malevolent Green Goblin is also excellent and the scene where he begins to talk to himself in front of a large mirror perfectly captures the character's emerging insanity. Likewise, Kirsten Dunst is good as 'the girl next door' (love that red hair!). The only actor that felt bland was James Franco as Harry Osborn, with the actor delivering a flat performance and making the strained father-son relationship not as strong. Even though he's not on-screen much, J.K. Simmons steals every scene as Peter's boss, J. Jonah Jameson. Despite being released in 2002, the CGI holds up rather well, and you'll be wide-eyed with wonder as Spidey swings across the screen through the urban jungle that is Manhattan. Some of the CG is a bit obvious and overused but it doesn't detract from the experience. The final battle is particularly brutal and I was surprised Raimi got away with so much with a PG-13 rating.

Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive when "Spider-Man" finally swung into theaters on May 3, 2002, with an amazing (pun absolutely intended!) 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics hailed it for not only providing 'a good dose of web-swinging fun [but] also…heart, thanks to the combined charms of director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire.' The film grossed a whopping $114.8 million over opening weekend, which was an unprecedented record at the time, and went on to gross $403.7 million domestic and $821.7 million worldwide. It is currently the second highest grossing comic book film, surpassed by "The Dark Knight." Released back in October 2007, the Blu-Ray is somewhat of a mixed affair. The video quality is excellent during close-ups but background details can come off a little fuzzy. It still offers quite an improvement from the DVD version. Fortunately, the sound quality doesn't suffer from any problems, thanks to the sharp score by Danny Elfman and the appropriately loud action scenes, befitting a summer blockbuster. Sadly, there are no special features included; it's just the movie itself on a single BD-50 disc. It doesn't matter though because this is pure comic book movie goodness. If you're a lifelong fan like me, you owe it to yourself to experience "Spider-Man" again and go for the ultimate spin!

Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5

"Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: 'with great power comes great responsibility.' This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I'm Spider-Man."

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Review

Rated PG-13 (Brief War Violence, Sexual Content, Language and Smoking)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 46 Minutes

Cast-

Brad Pitt-Benjamin Button

Cate Blanchett-Daisy Fuller

Tilda Swinton-Elizabeth Abbott

Taraji P. Henson-Queenie

Mahershalalhashbaz Ali-Tizzy Weathers

Jason Flemyng-Thomas Button

Jared Harris-Captain Mike

Josh Stewart-Pleasant Curtis

Elias Koteas-Monsieur Gateau

Phyllis Somerville-Grandma Fuller

Rampai Mohadi-Ngunda Oti

David Ross Paterson-Walter Abbott

Faune Chambers-Dorothy Baker

Christopher Maxwell-Vic Brody

Joshua DesRoches-Rick Brody

Joeanna Sayler-Caroline Button

Donna Duplantier-Blanche Devereux

Julia Ormond-Caroline Fuller

Jacob Wood-Martin Gateau

Troi Bechet-Filamena Gilea

Richmond Arquette-John Grimm

Joel Bissonnette-David Hernandez

Don Creech-Prentiss Mayes

Ed Metzger-Theodore Roosevelt

Myrton Running Wolf-Dennis Smith

Paula Gray-Sybil Wagner

Rus Blackwell-Robert Williams

Directed by David Fincher

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," an atypical film in David Fincher's filmography.

If it's Christmas, then you know that's when all the movie studios start releasing their potential Best Picture nominees. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, is one such film and is based upon the short story of the same name written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1921, though aside from the title and its premise, it bears little resemblance to the source material. This isn’t the first time Pitt and Blanchett have been together on-screen as they were last seen in 2006’s “Babel” directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Despite its long running time, David Fincher's “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is one of this year’s best films, with the story leaving a lasting impression on its audience whether young or old.

'I was born under unusual circumstances.' So begins "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as we see the titular character born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 11, 1918, the day World War I ended. However, Benjamin (Brad Pitt) has the appearance and physical limitations of an eighty-five year old man. His mother dies shortly after and horrified by his appearance, his father, Thomas (Jason Flemyng), leaves him on the front porch of a nursing home with eighteen dollars. Adopted by the kind nurse Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) and Tizzy Weathers (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), it soon becomes apparent that as Benjamin ‘ages,’ he is growing biologically younger. At the nursing home, he meets a little girl, Daisy (Cate Blanchett), and is immediately taken with her despite their massive age difference (by appearance anyway). Benjamin soon embarks on his own to make his mark on the world but through his travels, Daisy is always on the back of his mind as he yearns to be with her.

At its core, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a celebration of life told from the point of view of a man who is different from everybody else and how the sum total of his experiences defines him. Much is made of how similar old age and childhood are but the most important message is the constant reminder of our own mortality and to cherish life while it lasts. Benjamin is not entirely sure what happens when he grows so young that he can’t take care of himself. However, he’s not going to stand around waiting to find out as he decides to live his life to the fullest. Life is often mundane yet it is the smallest occurrences that result in the biggest changes. This is shown as a hilarious running joke where an elderly man admits that’s been struck by lightning seven times! What really drives home this fact is an excellent vignette where a number of unrelated events from unrelated individuals all help contribute to a car accident. Just altering any of these, and anything is possible. Although Benjamin faces many changes, there is always one constant that has kept him going and that is love. It is this love that can help squash any doubts or fears one may have and while there is always that impending threat of Benjamin’s condition, the important thing is that he spends what time he has left with Daisy, because it will never come again. The only major flaw which has been repeatedly pointed out by critics is that its plot is too similar to 1994’s “Forrest Gump.” Unsurprising really, because Eric Roth was the writer for both and though many of the themes presented are certainly not new, it helps to be reminded once in a while of the ‘little things’ in today’s whirlwind society.

For a drama, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” features fantastic CGI and makeup that often rivals many of today’s summer blockbusters. Brad Pitt endured hours to make him physically look eighty-years-old and through the marvel of today’s technology, his head was superimposed over a body double. This is accomplished so seamlessly that the thought of all this being done by a computer never even crossed my mind. Likewise, Cate Blanchett is also de-aged, although whether its just makeup or CG is hard to tell. The production design is flawless as Fincher's film takes place in many locations, such as wintery Russia, where the snow sparkles, or the dizzying glamour of Times Square in 1950’s New York. One visually impressive scene took place in the dead of night and then explodes with blinding machine gun fire as a leaky tugboat tries to ram a German U-boat submarine during World War II.

The performances are of the highest caliber with Brad Pitt at his best despite being lathered in old-age makeup and forced to stare at a computer screen for motion capture for hours on end. He brings a sense of wonder to Benjamin but also a sense of sadness due to his appearance. In one touching scene, he tearfully asks Queenie ‘What’s wrong with me?’ after Daisy’s grandmother scolds him that he ‘ought to be ashamed of himself’ when she catches him with her granddaughter. Cate Blanchett is amazing as the love of Benjamin’s life, both spirited and daring. While I cannot predict whether either of them will win at next year's Academy Awards, I can say with certainty that they will get nominated. The supporting cast makes the most of their limited screen-time. Standouts include Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth Abbott, whom Benjamin has a fun but short-lived affair, and Captain Mike, played by Jared Harris, serving as his guide during his adolescence years, which include taking him to a brothel for his ‘first time.’

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was released on Christmas Day to generally positive reviews with 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics agreed that the film ‘is an epic fantasy tale with rich storytelling backed by fantastic performances.’ However, common complaints include its length and similarities to “Forrest Gump.” I was sure that the film would debut at number one at the domestic box office but unfortunately, people would rather see the generic dog comedy "Marley & Me," which grossed $52 million while “Benjamin Button” settled for third place with $39 million. Its near-three hour running time did limit the amount of screenings per day. Some will no doubt grow restless at its length but "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is an amazing film that's full of wonder as it celebrates life and all its little moments. It doesn't matter if you're young or old, Fincher's film must be experienced and you will, without a doubt, leave the theater deeply affected by it.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"My name is Benjamin Button, and I was born under unusual circumstances. While everyone else was agin', I was gettin' younger... all alone."

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Superman Returns Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Some Intense Action Violence)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 34 Minutes

Cast-

Brandon Routh-Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman

Kate Bosworth-Lois Lane

Kevin Spacey-Lex Luthor

James Marsden-Richard White

Parker Posey-Kitty Kowalski

Sam Huntington-Jimmy Olsen

Frank Langella-Perry White

Eva Marie Saint-Martha Kent

Kal Penn-Stanford

Tristan Lake Leabu-Jason White

Marlon Brando-Jor-El (archival footage used)

Directed Bryan Singer

Superman returns to Earth after a five-year absence to find that Lois Lane has moved on in "Superman Returns."

Note: Part of the "Superman Motion Picture Anthology" Blu-Ray set.

Superman is without a doubt one of the world's most iconic comic book superheroes. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, Superman has thrilled readers ever since as the flagship character for DC Comics, alongside Batman. Many films were based upon the character but none stood out until 1978's "Superman" directed by Richard Donner and starring then-unknown Christopher Reeve. Reeve became famous as the character, in fact I consider him to be a real-life Superman, and starred in three more films, though each one proved to be of lesser quality which prompted Warner Brothers to put the franchise on hiatus in 1987. As the years went by, numerous directors, screenwriters, and actors became attached to a fifth Superman film, but nothing came out of it. That is, until Bryan Singer signed on to direct, targeting a release date of summer 2006. However, this created a few problems, as he was working on pre-production work on the third X-Men film at the time but seeing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Singer couldn’t pass up a chance to direct a Superman film. Although he fully intended to return to the X-Men franchise after, 20th Century Fox was impatient and moved ahead anyway, replacing Singer with Brett Ratner and resulting in the underwhelming “X-Men The Last Stand,” also released in summer 2006. Although highly underrated, “Superman Returns” ranks up there as one of the best superhero films ever made, focusing not only just the conflict of good and evil but of love, proving once and again that Lois and Clark will always be one of the most beloved couples ever in comics. 

Five years have passed since the events of “Superman II” and Superman (Brandon Routh) himself has disappeared in a futile hope to see if Krypton is truly destroyed. The world has moved on without him. When he finally makes his triumphant return, he finds that Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now has a son and is engaged to Richard White (James Marsden). Superman realizes that everything he has known, everything his has loved, has changed. How will he readjust himself in a world that has learned to survive without him? To make matters worse, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has stolen technology from the Fortress of Solitude in an attempt to finally kill his nemesis once and for all. 

When you’re watching “Superman Returns,” you’ll have to forget everything you know about comic book movies as Singer has crafted a sweeping romance more than an action film. A large amount of time is spent with Superman pining for Lois, invoking ancient mythologies of God-like beings falling in love with mortals. Although there is no doubt that Superman is powerful, he is just as human as anyone else and Singer drives home that fact, particularly when he has a heart-to-heart with Lois on the roof of the Daily Planet. If it weren’t for his responsibilities, his duty to protect, Superman would spend an eternity with Lois, and that is fantasy romance done right in a way that can provoke an emotional response. I found that “Superman Returns” often touches upon similar themes seen in “The Dark Knight” but at two different extremes. Batman is dark and faces enemies that are insane and cruel, calling into question whether he is just as insane as the villains he fights. Gotham’s citizens look upon Batman as everything that is wrong in their city, saying to themselves whether we even need a ‘hero’ who acts more like a vigilante. For Superman, Singer has opted for a messianic approach. Lois bluntly points out that ‘the world doesn’t need a savior.’ Yet Superman believes otherwise; he has to believe because then his life would have no purpose. The world may have moved on and look upon Superman as a relic, but even if they do not realize it now, Superman knows it in his heart that they ‘cry out for a savior.’ With many comic book films going the ‘tortured hero’ route, it’s refreshing to see a character so earnest and so honest in his purpose that all we can do is stand up and cheer for him. That is the essence of Superman. 

There are some issues but they’re relatively minor compared to the scope of the film. Singer does go for the nostalgia factor of Donner’s films too hard and it gets to the point where he’s emulating the previous films without providing this one with a proper identity. The acting is overall good, especially Brandon Routh. His resemblance to Reeve is uncanny and he captures the bumbling aspects of Clark Kent and the confidence and vulnerability of Superman perfectly. There is a slight nervousness to his performance but who wouldn’t, stepping in the shoes of an iconic character played equally by an iconic actor. Kate Bosworth is definitely the weakest link out of the cast as we never actually feel she’s a newspaper journalist, partially due to her young age. Nonetheless, she does her best with Lois’ conflicting feelings between Superman and Richard. Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor is cut from the same cloth as Gene Hackman, something that has never really sat well with me because it tended to skew toward cheesy comedy. If a sequel is ever made, it would best to follow Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal from TV’s “Smallville.” Luthor is still obsessed with real estate and ‘beach front property’ but there’s also a bitterness, possibly sadistic side to him. This is apparent when he and his cohorts begin to torture Superman. There’s also a hint of jealousy in his demeanor and wants to set out to prove to others, but most importantly himself, that a mortal can destroy a god. The rest of the cast includes James Marsden as Richard White, who has the impossible task of vying for Lois’ affection against Superman, Parker Posey as Kitty Kowalski, playing a role similar to Miss Teschmacher from the first film, Eva Marie Saint as Clark’s adoptive mother and conscious and finally Marlon Brando, courtesy of today’s cutting edge technology. 

“Superman Returns” doesn’t feature any action scenes but there are several breathtaking set-pieces. Superman goes through much trouble saving a space shuttle and a Boeing 777, marking his triumphant return. Finally, there’s the endgame where he uses all his abilities at his disposal to prevent the destruction of Metropolis. However, the climax invoked the same mixed feelings I had when Superman turns back time by flying around the Earth backwards in the first film. You’ll know it when you see it as it involves a massive amount of kryptonite. Some will complain that he never punches anybody but really, that’s not even a complaint worth bringing up. 

The Blu-Ray is impressive though the video quality can look too clean and sterile since the film was shot using HD cameras. This gives it somewhat dull looking palette that focuses on primary colors, like those on Superman’s costume. Darker scenes also tend to be fuzzy but nonetheless, you’ll have no problem enjoying this film on your plasma screen. Audio is reference quality material and the set-pieces really come alive from the shrieking metal of the Boeing 777 to the flapping of Superman’s cape against the wind. This is an aural experience like no other. Looking at the back cover, you’ll find the special features are quite bare but appearances can be deceiving. What you get is a 2 hour and 53 minute documentary on the making-of the film that goes into detail about every aspect from pre-production to the final day of shooting. Finally, there’s 16 minutes of deleted scenes and a look at integrating Marlon Brando’s archival footage into the film. 

Released on June 28, 2006, “Superman Returns” received a mostly positive reception with 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called ‘Singer's reverent and visually decadent adaptation gives the Man of Steel welcome emotional complexity.’ With a whopping budget of $270 million due to marketing and false starts, there was much pressure for the film to do well like “Batman Begins.” Unfortunately, while it had a solid, though unimpressive, opening weekend, “Superman Returns” barely limped to $200 million domestic and $391 million worldwide. Sure, this is by no means a disaster but after lying dormant for close to nineteen years, most people were just skeptical if another Superman film was even necessary. The larger question remains if Singer will return for a sequel and despite the fans mixed response, I hold he does, as he truly does care about the character and Routh certainly has the capacity to become this generation’s Man of Steel. “Superman Returns” may lack action but it makes it up for emotional complexity; this film is ‘beyond Super. It's superb’ (Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine).

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

"You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son."

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The Incredible Hulk Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Sequences of Intense Action Violence, Some Frightening Sci-Fi Images, and Brief Suggestive Content)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 52 Minutes

Cast-

Edward Norton-Dr. Bruce Banner/The Hulk

Liv Tyler-Dr. Elizabeth 'Betty' Ross

Tim Roth-Major Emil Blonsky/The Abomination

William Hurt-General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross

Tim Blake Nelson-Samuel Sterns

Ty Burrell-Leonard Samson

Christina Cabot-Major Kathleen Sparr

Peter Mensah-General Joe Greller

Paul Soles-Stanley

Débora Nascimento-Martina

Robert Downey Jr.-Tony Stark

Directed by Louis Leterrier

Incredible, indeed.

Second chances are very rare in Hollywood, but Marvel’s famous antihero, the Hulk, has been given the reboot treatment à la “Batman Begins” with “The Incredible Hulk.” The first film, simply titled “Hulk,” was directed by Ang Lee, one of the most critically-acclaimed directors working today. “Hulk” received massive amounts of hype when it was released five years ago during the summer of 2003 but trouble brewed when fans reacted negatively to the CGI that was used to bring the titular character to life. Although Lee's film had an excellent opening weekend debut with $62.1 million, it unfortunately dropped by 70% in its second week of release. Many felt that the director's introspective interpretation of the character was banal and that there just wasn’t enough smashing. After reacquiring the rights to the character, Marvel decided to wipe the slate clean and “The Incredible Hulk” was born. Director Louis Leterrier’s take on the not-so-jolly green giant is less-nuanced than Lee’s but the action is definitely better and delivers on what we expect out of a Hulk film.

After the opening credits—which recount Bruce Banner’s (Edward Norton) origin of how he became the Hulk—we find Banner hiding out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in an effort to try to cure himself of his affliction. After a small mishap at the factory he works at, General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (William Hurt) manages to track down Banner and sends Russian-born British Special Forces Agent Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) after him. The attempt is unsuccessful as Banner escapes by transforming into the Hulk. Ross decides to authorize the use of a discontinued ‘super-soldier’ serum in order to give Blonsky the edge he needs but the soldier quickly becomes addicted to it. As Banner becomes close to finding a cure after reuniting with his estranged lover, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), he discovers that he must unleash the monster within once more and battle Blonsky, who has become an ‘Abomination.’

The story in Leterrier’s "The Incredible Hulk" is a lot more straight-forward this time around, shedding most of the Greek tragedy aspects of Lee’s version and drawing its inspiration from the 1970’s Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno-led television series of the same name. Zak Penn's script treats Banner's transformations like a disease while the previous film—which Marvel Studios likened to a parallel universe one-shot comic book—tried to psychologically explore why the gamma radiation triggered such a reaction. Much of the first hour resembles a Bourne film as Banner is chased through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to a college campus in Virginia. After that, “The Incredible Hulk” remains in action mode with a few pauses along the way, leading up to an explosive battle of epic proportions. There are some issues with the film, largely stemming from the pacing and the way it was edited as it makes certain character beats feel truncated. Although the story doesn’t spend too much time on it, we do get a sense of the toll it takes on Banner every time he transforms. For one thing, he always wakes up with nothing but a pair of ripped pants and has to go searching for clothes. This also prevents him from having sex as seen in a funny scene where he tells Betty that he can’t get too excited. Poor Betty for not getting any because her boyfriend could spontaneously change to a green-skinned, muscle bound creature! Fans will also get a kick out of several references that include Doc Samson and the Leader, as well as several elements lifted from Bruce Jones’ five-year stint on the comic.

The reason Leterrier’s film works better compared to Lee's version is largely due to the smart casting of Edward Norton. He even looks the part as Banner is often depicted as a thin, unassuming man. His portrayal bears some similarities to Eric Bana’s since both see their character as a tortured soul whom fate had dealt a bad hand. Norton also had a hand in writing the script, although he’s uncredited. The rest of the cast deliver performances of varying degrees of quality. Tim Roth chews the scenery as amoral Special Forces soldier Emil Blonsky but his descent into madness isn’t handled all too well and feels rushed. Liv Tyler is rather flat as Banner's estranged girlfriend Betty Ross. I just didn’t quite feel the ‘spark’ between her and Norton. While William Hurt comes closest to being on par with Norton as the obsessive General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, I have to say, I preferred Sam Elliot's performance.

The CGI is definitely much better, given the amount of time that has passed since Lee's film. The Hulk himself has been shrunk down to a more realistic size with a wider range of expressions. Hell, every time he flexes his muscles you can see all the veins just popping out! However, some fans might take issue with the Abomination as the villain bears little resemblance to his comic book counterpart. Instead of being dark blue-green, he's now pale yellow. There are several action scenes, one taking place mainly in shadow as the Hulk makes short work of Blonsky and his troops while another is set on a college campus with the U.S. military bringing out all the stops. Finally, there's the climactic brawl between the Hulk and the Abomination. They trade giant blows throughout the streets of Harlem but the CGI used here can get a little excessive. Of course, the Hulk has always been one of the harder comic book characters to bring to life on the big screen. It’s either CG or paint some muscleman green like in the television show.

The Blu-Ray release doesn’t disappoint, with stunning detail on the Hulk that reveals every individual pore. Blacks are solid and CGI-heavy scenes fortunately don't look flat or obvious. As for the audio quality, it features a brute force soundtrack with plenty of smashing. However, the supplements included are rather disappointing. There’s an informative audio commentary with Roth and Leterrier but Norton is noticeably absent. Also included is a making-of featurette that doesn’t really offer anything substantial as it runs only thirty minutes long. The real meat of the extras is the deleted scenes—forty-two minutes worth!—that includes an alternate opening set in the Arctic. It's notable for featuring a blink-or-you'll-miss cameo from a certain Star-Spangled Avenger incased in ice. Perhaps they may be interwoven back into the film as a potential director’s cut but most of the scenes don't add to the story all that much.

Released on June 13, 2008, reception to “The Incredible Hulk” wasn’t all that different from the 2003 version, with a 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, critics agreed that it 'provides the action and excitement to please comic book fans and re-ignite this fledgling franchise.' The film has grossed $134.8 million domestic and $263.4 million worldwide, which is only slightly higher than the original. There’s been no word on a possible sequel but “The Incredible Hulk,” while not as nuanced as Lee’s version, provides ample entertainment and delivers on what the fans want. Marvel Studios is certainly on a roll after "Iron Man" so I hope they can keep this up.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

Bruce Banner: I'm sorry, I can't get too excited.

Betty Ross: Not even a little excited?

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