The Nature Of Hulk

This (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/05/the-hulk-on-mark-ruffalos-hulk.html) article was a very interesting analysis of the Hulk, and on aspects of superheroes in general. What makes us like superheroes, relate to them? According to this author, our heroes are flawed and interesting, and our empathy for them cannot be assumed by the director. In some ways, they have to earn it by making us care for the character. Which is something I'm big on in movies, creating characters that we actually care about. The article then goes to talk about how the heart of the Hulk is Bruce Banner, and that's what draws us to the character. Which is right. But he says it's not just that he gets big and angry, and that we can see our own anger in him. No, according to this author, it's that we care about Banner, about his gentle side, his helpful side, to the point where we don't want him to turn into the hulk, to have this issue. I agree with the author that the most recent hulk film was rather mopey. But I felt it had the right tone; we felt the burden that Banner carried, and the guilt he had for it affected his loved ones. In that sense, I don't agree with the author, I think that was an important element of the cinematic evolution of the character. As I've mentioned in my reviews, Ruffalo's Banner is a much different. In The Avengers, Banner is in control of the beast, and went a year without an event. But we also learn that it came with a price, as Banner got to th epoint where he tried to commit suicide. But he grew stronger, and devoted his life to helping people in India. The author comments that having him in this "joyful" environment helped make his sadness resonate even more. It wasn't as pushed in our faces as the last hulk, which I can agree with. Banner is still a more rundown, weary type of character, worn down by years of carrying the beast with him. The author comments that he's also on the edge of a smile, as if he's privy to the cruel inside joke of life, which i can definitely see. I think that's part of the stark difference I noted in his portrayal. An article at AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/55550) about this stated that "Empathy isn't just about showing up - it's about finding that connection between the character and your own personal experience, and the best filmmakers know how to set that up within a few minutes of the character's introduction." That's true, and it's not easy to do. The AICN article goes on to theorize why hulk attacked his team on the helicarrier, but not during the final battle. It was akin to my idea, that he was reacting more to the recent disarray of the team, which changed as the team was cohesive by the end. And I agree with that author, him turning int the hulk at the end was likely a type of defense mechanism. Overall, a good article, and an interesting analysis of the character, who may be the MVP of The Avengers.