Clash of the ‘Hulk’ movies

If you’ve seen one green monster, you’ve seen them all, right? Hells no.

 

Bana as The Hulk  

 

 

Norton as The Incredible Hulk 

 

Comic book nerds and average moviegoers alike were abuzz with expectations over the big green guy known as Hulk, who made his debut last Friday in “The Incredible Hulk.” But wait a minute, didn’t this movie already come out in 2003? It did, but Marvel Studios decided to relaunch the franchise this summer and confuse audiences who were expecting a sequel. Feel free to rip this guide out and take it with you to the theater.

Title
“The Incredible Hulk” (2008)/
“Hulk” (2003)
Superior version? If you had a choice between ordering a “Coke” and an “Incredible Coke,” you’d probably go with the latter, right?

Portraying Hulk
Ed Norton (2008)/
Eric Bana (2003)
Superior version? Norton is a Golden Globe winner and has been nominated twice for an Academy Award. Bana’s shining moment came when Seth Rogen referenced him as sexual inspiration in “Knocked Up.” You be the judge.

Love Interest
Liv Tyler (2008)/
Jennifer Connelly (2003)
Superior version? Tyler’s mouth looks like her Aerosmith dad’s and she starred in “Jersey Girl.” We don’t want to ruin Connelly’s good name by making this a fight.

Director
Louis Leterrier (2008)/
Ang Lee (2003)
Superior version? Lee followed up his superhero flick with “Brokeback Mountain” and you can’t help but wonder if his “Hulk” would have worked better if he included a romantic scene between Jake Gyllenhaal and the Hulk. However, Lee’s pedigree far outshines Leterrier’s, whose resume includes a Jet Li film called “Danny the Dog.”

Winner?
Lee’s underrated 2003 version is a deep, existential exploration of inner turmoil and alienation, which is probably why people didn’t like it that much. Leterrier’s action-packed 2008 version brings the series back to its comic book roots and even has Lou Ferrigno in it, which is sure to please crowds who just want to see Hulk smash. So on a scale of mindless, monster-thrashing, action-packed fun, “The Incredible Hulk” wins, but only by a green hair.