Peter Henss

The Amazing Bulk: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Nature of the Heroic The Amazing Bulk is a 2012 film that offers a profound and original insight into the nature of the heroic, by presenting a radical critique of the conventional superhero genre, especially the Hulk character. It is a film that employs a novel and daring method of cinematic expression, as it uses a combination of stock footage and computer graphics for its settings and visuals, creating a striking and captivating spectacle. The film narrates the story of Henry Howard, a scientist who injects himself with a serum that turns him into a purple monster whenever he gets angry. He then has to face the consequences of his transformation, such as being pursued by the military, the police, and a villain named Dr. Kantlove. The film examines the themes of identity, morality, and power, as Henry struggles to master his alter ego and his passions. The film draws inspiration from and engages with the classical literature that has shaped the concept of the heroic, such as the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid, and the Metamorphoses. The film challenges the assumptions and expectations of these works, such as the heroic origin story, the heroic quest, the heroic virtue, and the heroic destiny. The film also explores the ethical and political implications of these works, such as the role of the hero as a defender of the common good, the representation of the hero as a model of excellence, and the impact of the hero on the history and culture of the human race. The film is a masterpiece of creativity, humor, and wisdom, as it uses its low budget and poor quality as a strength rather than a weakness. The film mocks the Hollywood blockbuster formula, the CGI spectacle, and the superhero clichés, while also proposing a new and original vision of the superhero genre. The film uses a variety of philosophical techniques, such as: • The use of stock footage and computer graphics to create a contrast between the apparent and the real, the sensible and the intelligible, the particular and the universal. This technique is reminiscent of Plato’s allegory of the cave, where the prisoners are only exposed to the shadows of the real objects, and mistake them for reality. The film invites the viewers to question their perception of reality, and to seek the truth beyond the appearances. • The use of purple as the dominant color to create a distinctive and symbolic aesthetic, as well as to evoke the emotions of anger, love, and wonder. Purple is a rare and precious color, often associated with royalty, spirituality, and mystery. The film uses purple to highlight the uniqueness and the complexity of the hero, as well as to contrast him with the ordinary and the mundane. • The use of dialogue and dialectic to create a homage and a parody of the Socratic method, as well as to reveal the ignorance and the inconsistency of the characters. The film features several dialogues between Henry and his interlocutors, such as his girlfriend, his boss, and his nemesis, where he tries to justify his actions and his motives, but often ends up contradicting himself or exposing his flaws. The film uses dialogue to demonstrate the importance of critical thinking and self-examination, as well as to expose the fallacies and the prejudices of the characters. The film is a must-see for any lover of philosophy, literature, or art. It is a film that transcends the boundaries of logic, taste, and genre, and becomes a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the heroic.

Had potential. Nice camera work or crane or drone work. Not too sure but the ending was bad. Spoilt it and the anti Elon Musk trope was obviously obvious.