Comments on: Norton’s Pen Mightier Than… Erm… Penn’s One?

By: Adrian

Adrian — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:41:09 +0000

Honestly, I don’t blame Zak Penn for the atrocious Elektra and the dull Hulk. Both film’s storylines were entertaining and posited zeal, but the directing was weak. I believe that it’s the director job to be the main storyteller and it’s their job to make the story visibly entertaining. A bad director can and usually will kill a good story (example: Van Helsing, X3) or give life to a poor story (example: Transformers, Ghostrider). So for me, Avengers will make or break my feeling on Zak Penn’s writing ability.

By: Kane

Kane — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:46:03 +0000

Totally agree! Zak Penn – in online discussions during production of X3 – would sound so enthusiastic of what was to come and had this way about him that oozed confidence. It made you feel as though the film was in the hands of people that truly cared about a great end product. In hindsight, he’s simply way too deep in his fanboy mentality to see the forest for the trees. He tries too hard, basically, and wants to put anything and everything into a film that he and the rest of us would love… but it’s at the expense of smart storytelling (ala X2 and Batman Begins). The sad thing is that – when talking about past flops – he seems to pass the buck and blame others for his vision not working out. I feel sorry for him a little, to be honest, but… then… don’t we all think we’re great at what we do? Finding out we kinda suck must be a hard pill to swallow. If we get this rumoured Young X-Men film with him at the helm, I fear it will be a Serenity or Mutant-X, telemovie-feel flick.

By: KEL

KEL — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:32:46 +0000

Ya know the only movie that I’ve ever seen Ed Norton in is Death to Smoochy. It was just the other day that I caught his performance in American History X. I have to say I like the guy,and look forward to seeing him as Dr. Banner and am happy that this film will be the start of a new Hulk franchise,cuz Ang Lee’s was horrible.

Can’t say that I’m upset that Zak Penn’s script is getting polished by Norton,cuz to be honest Zak’s last few comic book movies haven’t been the best. Isn’t he the guy who wrote such favorites as Elektra,the first Hulk,and X3 (that last one I did admittedly enjoy a little though)? Yeeash. Zak gains my trust so easily when I hear him talk,but when his movies come out it’s like a completely different person wrote it.

I have complete faith that this film will be fantastic,a big improvement over Ang Lee’s film. Doc Samson,the Leader,and the Abomnition are in it,man! 2008 is gonna be one sweet year for comix fans!

By: Screen Rant

Screen Rant — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:30:54 +0000

Doh! I really didn’t notice I’d done that, LOL.

Vic

By: Kane

Kane — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:58:15 +0000

A “banner” year, eh, Vic?

Nice pun.

By: Karyyk

Karyyk — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:22:31 +0000

All I’ll say is that I feel a bit better with an actor that cares enough to do this kind of thing, than one who’s just showing up to cash-in (which could very easily happen in this film genre). Hopefully he does well, because this is one of those rare instances where there really isn’t much direction to go but up.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:20:53 +0000

We’ll see, Norton at times seems a little too self-aware of his talent. I have enjoyed his films in the past but sometimes he isn’t fun to watch. I think he is very talented, don’t get me wrong. He just seems to lack energy at times. I guess it is a little hard to describe. I like The Illusionist, but he didn’t excite me with his performance. I honestly do like him, I think that maybe he takes himself too seriously which i think might hurt this film.

By: Screen Rant

Screen Rant — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:53:06 +0000

Kane, I think you’ve really hit it with your comment about superhero movies in ’08. Looks like it’s going to be a banner year for comic book fans.

Vic

By: Kane

Kane — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:38:52 +0000

I actually liked where the first Hulk was going… but the villain and that whole last half hour or so was so bad it kinda ruined the whole thing for me.

By: adrian

adrian — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:38:38 +0000

Norton is the main key to this Hulk become a very “respectable” film (fingers-crossed). Norton’s track record for good films is honestly pretty strong. Norton’s films always have a deeply dramatic gritty feel, perfect for the mood of “IH”; with Leterrier as the director to create havok, Hulk could give Ironman, Dark Knight, and Indian Jones a run for their money.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:20:10 +0000

I’m all for hoping that this film will be good, because the last Hulk movie was dismally awful. If Norton took the bull by the horns and decided to make it better, I’m all for it. If this film does well, I’m sure Norton will be seeking out projects of his own that further challenge him to create something we’ll all take notice of (in a good way).

By: Kane

Kane — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:55:26 +0000

I’m with you on that…

I can barely recall the last time I was totally impressed without question.

By: jerseycajun

jerseycajun — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:53:19 +0000

I almost don’t want to get my hopes up too much. Dare I think that there will be multiple intelligent films of the super-hero and action variety that don’t underestimate the human capacity to engage our hearts AND our minds while stimulating our adrenal glands?!? Dare I dream the impossible dream?

Expectations… Rising… Must… Lower… or face… potential heartbreaking disappointment…

By: heath

heath — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:16:30 +0000

I just want something awesome, because Spidey 3 wasn’t.

heath