The Incredible Hulk With the financial failure of Ang Lee's 2002 Hulk which mixed comic thrills with heady and daring emotional exploration, Marvel looked to restart a potential franchise that looked to be on life support. By enlisting Louis Leterrier, they ensured that both action and emotions would be altered. The action amplified, the emotions Hulk smashed! The Incredible Hulk, the franchise reboot, starring Edward Norton (who is able but never spectacular) is never an outright failure but rarely a success, toes the middle of the blockbuster road. Except for the massive green creature seen time to time on screen, there is almost nothing in common with Lee's far superior effort, which looks positively heroic in the face of Leterrier's film. Where as Lee bravely tested the limits of the comic book film by injecting it with elements for the arthouse crowd, namely intelligence and a measured pacing, Leterrier seems content to let the film meander from set piece to set piece. Trouble is, none of those set pieces are all that exciting or involving, leaving the middle segments to a love story that rings hollow and a father/daughter side story that is weighed down by some less than nimble acting. Given the slate of superhero films this summer, The Incredible Hulk is an unnecessary diversion. Audiences would be much better off going to see Iron Man again, waiting for the seemingly more interesting Hancock or saving their money for the promise of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, a sequel to a much more efficient and effective series reboot, Batman Begins.
Get Smart Television's Get Smart benefited from the excellent comedic writings of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, two of the finest satirists working in popular entertainment in the second half of the 20th century. While there names are attached to the feature length adaptation of said TV show as consultants, none of the breathless gags are evident. With the exception of the performances by Steve Carrell, as Maxwell Smart, and Alan Arkin, as Chief, the film flounders under the weight of its legacy. While there are moments of excitement scattered throughout, at no point does the film reach the tremendous comedic highs of Brooks/Henry's baby. Carrell is exceptional, in a role that was seemingly built for his understated, dead panned comedy. Arkin nearly steals the show from under Carrell's feet with a number of smart, quick witted one liners but when all is said and done, Get Smart can't decide whether its an action comedy or a satire of action films. While the set pieces are professionally staged and shot, none are all that exciting, leaving the gags, which just aren't there enough to justify the 110 minute run time. Too much time passes between jokes that truly work and although the rest of the cast (Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway) display an affable charm, they don't possess the necessary comedic chops to stand alongside Carrell. The script by Tom Astle and Matt Ember lacks the wit and intelligence of Brooks/Henry and Peter Segal, better known for low brow Adam Sandler comedies, lacks the deft touch that gave the show a light and airy feeling. Carrell fans will find enough to enjoy here but a casual viewer will be checking their watches well before film's end.
The Hammer Given his previous work, I.E. The Man Show and his radio show, Adam Corolla seems to be about the least likely candidate to star in a heartfelt romantic comedy about ex-boxer-turned-carpenter who decides to give it another go round in the ring while simultaneously falling in love with a public defender. Boy, was I wrong. In The Hammer, Corolla plays said boxer with a shaggy, loose feel, a performance that never feels forced. In fact, at many points, Corolla doesn't even seem to be acting but rather, being himself and the results are a wonderful surprise. From the word go, The Hammer is an enjoyable underdog story that may be cliché at points but has enough heart to go around, making even the more mundane moments seem passable. Featuring a witty script that perfectly plays into Corolla's strengths, by writer Kevin Hench and directed with an improv heavy feel by Charles Herman-Wurmfield, this is one of 2008's genuine surprises, an out of nowhere indie that really works. While it is certainly far from flawless and isn't all that original, its likable leads and quick pacing lend themselves to a perfectly entertaining 90 minutes. The film is an almost perfect length for its subject matter, wisely eschewing the unnecessary moments that so frequently bog down the modern RomCom. Opposite Corolla, as his love interest Lindsay, is Heather Juergensen, who is as easy going as our hero and equally likeable. The Hammer doesn't pretend to be anything its not. It's enjoyable as a sports film, as a romantic comedy and as a showcase for Adam Corolla. While it had almost no theatrical run, its more than worth tracking down on DVD for an easy going down film that is light, effortless and enjoyable.
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