The movie got a lukewarm response, for sure, but I didn't think it was universally panned. It deviated from the original Hulk storyline (but what superhero movie doesn't?), so I think that had a lot to do with it.

I agree with most of the points the article's author makes. When I watched the films in the theater, I was pleasantly surprised that it was more of a story about relationships than about a big, uncontrollable brute of a superhero (which I never really quite understood the appeal of to begin with anyway). The cinematics were quite good as well. Bravo to Ang Lee.

When I read Roger Ebert's review of the new movie, he referenced the Ang Lee version and pointed out why he thought the first one was better for a certain type of movie goer. So I went back to his original review, and he treated Lee's vision quite kindly. I guess he was in a minority among critics.

For myself, I enjoyed it in a way I would not have thought possible for a superhero movie. It was the type of movie to leave an impression, when most summer blockbusters fade away like dandelion fluff.

Having watched it again last night, the supposedly intriguing and surreal scenes such as the Hulk's freefall are just simply bizarre and out of place.

"Puny Human", the Hulk says disdainfully to Banner.

Maybe if the Hulk hadn't look so positively goofy with his bright lime green skin and purple pants (as if he'd been ripped from the comic book directly but not really altered to fit the tone of the movie), this scene would've worked. Instead, the Hulk always appeared comical to me in this movie. In the midst of all this angst over his father and his girlfriend, it was just simply lame.

Maybe not everyone said it was bad, but it really, really was.

I'll grant you that Ang Lee has an ability to render human relationships in a very subtle and often surprising way. And his visual style is definitely above average.

But the relationships he explored in this movie were silly, and overwrought, and, most importantly, in my mind, utterly lacking in anything resembling a sense of humor.

Even Shakespearean tragedy evinces moments of wit or sardonic observation.

It seems that this is Ang Lee's greatest failing. He's only funny when it's not intended to be funny.

He should make more gay cowboy movies and less superhero movies. Because those gay cowboys were hilarious!