Easy Being Green

Easy Being Green

In 2003, Ang Lee introduced a successful science-fiction/action film, Hulk, which explores the origin of the Hulk. During this time, science made a big leap when Kary Banks Mullis, a noble prize winning American biochemist, developed a technique, the polymerase chain reaction, for sequencing human genome. The polymerase chain reaction provides a quick way to isolate and amplify a specific section of a DNA from a mixture. His discovery helped bring The Human Genome Project to a successful completion. Hulk addresses the ethical questions regarding genetic engineering that had surfaced after the completion of the project. It was distributed by Universal Pictures and grossed $245 million worldwide. The film was produced with a budget of $137 million and was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film but lost to X-men 2. Director Ang Lee specializes in analyzing the theme of alienation, marginalization, and repression. He has become one of the most successful contemporary filmmakers because he introduces new and exciting films in a wide variety of genres. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, an action/adventure film, and Brokeback Mountain, a romantic drama, are two of Ang Lee's most famous successful feature films. He won the "Best Director" award for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at the 58th Golden Globe Awards and again won the "Best Director" award for Brokeback Mountain at the 78th Academy Awards.

In the movie Hulk, David Banner, a genetic researcher, causes a massive explosion of the facilities' gamma reactor and accidently kills his wife in the process. This causes Lieutenant Ross, head of the research lab, to close down his lab. Years later, at the same research lab, Bruce Banner, son of David Banner, causes a similar suspicious explosion while playing with a gamma reactor. Out of fear, Lieutenant Ross tries to prevent Bruce from following in his father's footstep by using a military force to destroy him. Like other science-fiction films, the roots of the Hulk can be traced back to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. The father shares obvious characteristics similar to the scientist in Frankenstein. He is irresponsible, immoral, and self-observed in creating a perfect human-being. With no concern for the safety of his family, David plays God with his son's life by transmitting his mutated DNA in attempt to create a "perfect" human-being capable of performing extraordinary tasks based predominantly on his strength and power. He does not care who he hurts in the process. Moreover, his son, Bruce, shares obvious characteristics similar to Dr. Frankenstein's monster. He is green, oversized, and angry at the attitudes of the society towards him. Like the monster, Bruce is "special" by force and deals with the negative attitudes of the society towards him by seeking revenge on those who are responsible for his condition and getting justice.

When the film was released in 2003, research on microbial genomics, DNA identification, live-stock breeding was in rapid progress. Before the completion of The Human Genome Project in 2003, geneticists were hoping to identify all 25,000 genes in human DNA so molecular medicine can be developed to improve disease diagnosis, detect genetic predisposition to disease, create control systems for drugs, and design pharmaceutical drugs. However, exposures to radiation, mutagenic chemical, cancer-causing toxins were the risks associated with achieving the goals of The Human Genome Project. Other genetic projects also pose similar risks therefore the film, Hulk, addresses the scare of being mutated in the name of science. Hulk takes us into the life of David Banner, a genetic researcher, who tries to improve human DNA by experimenting on himself. In the process, his DNA is mutated and passed on to his first born son, Bruce. Bruce does not learn about his mutation until his gamma-radiated DNA is activated, transforming him into the Hulk. Through the use of zoom, flashbacks, images, descriptive phrases, music, voice over and special effects, the movie trailer for the Hulk effectively creates excitement for the audience and sheds light on the dangers of genetic engineering by introducing a new action hero who defeats evil science.

In the movie trailer, all of the main characters are introduced with a close up shot. The audience is introduced to Bruce, an innocent teenage boy who is ready to go off to college and become a great scientist like his father, through a zoom in shot of his face. (0.08) This technique mimics a real life situation in which two people introduced by a third party focus predominantly on each other's faces. This appeals to the audience because it helps us connect with the main character. The trailer then follows with a creepy zoom in shot of Bruce's father, David, glaring at the camera with a peculiar look in his eyes.