My Brief Comment on Bruce/Hulk in Avengers

[giandujakiss]

So Bruce Banner/Hulk were infinitely more entertaining in The Avengers than they were in The Incredible Hulk (that's the Norton version - I didn't watch the Eric Bana version), and as much as Mark Ruffalo has gotten a lot of praise, I don't think it was due to his performance specifically - Edward Norton was just fine as Bruce.

I think Avengers did better with these characters (this character? whatev) because -

1. Hulk isn't good as the sole focus of a movie. Hulked out, there's not much room for characterization, and Banner is just a guy. An interesting guy, potentially, but not a guy who, in his human form, can carry a superhero movie. So just by making him one of an ensemble, rather than the star, he became more entertaining.

2. The CGI hulk possibly had as much personality as it is possible for a CGI hulk to have. Joss did a great job of making Hulk interesting in Hulk form (uh, without resorting to Lou Ferrigno-like sudden softening upon the appearance of a bunny rabbit).

3. Bruce Banner had what was, for my money, the hands-down best line of the movie - "That's my secret, Captain. I'm always angry." Not only is it a clever line, but it's also a fantastic moment of character insight that I deeply, deeply hope is explored through fanfic. (And not for nothing, but I expect that Tony/Steve will give way to Tony/Bruce now that the movie is out.)

Yeah, I'll probably have more random Avengers thoughts as time goes on.... I need an icon.