Movie Review – She-Hulk (Mini Review)
Principal Cast : Tatiana Maslany, Jameela Jamil, Mark Ruffalo, Ginger Gonzaga, Josh Segarra, Mark Linn-Baker, Tess Malis Kincaid, Tim Roth, Megan Thee Stallion, Benedict Wong, Rene Elise Goldberry, Jon Bass, Rhys Coiro, Griffin Matthews, Patty Harrison, Steve Coulter, Charlie Cox, Eugene Patilio, Drew Matthews, Patty Guggenheim, Leone Lamar, David Otunga, Nicholas Cirillo.
Synopsis: Jennifer Walters navigates the complicated life of a single, 30-something attorney who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered Hulk.
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With a scant 9 episode run, each episode clocking in at a tick over a half hour, She-Hulk unfortunately runs afoul of being a comedy series that just isn’t that funny. Created by Jessica Gao and based on the long-time Marvel Comics favourite character, Jennifer Walters (aka She-Hulk), the show is a light-hearted and comedic take on a superhero having to balance her work, personal and hero life as the cousin of an Avenger, Bruce Banner’s Hulk (a supporting turn by Mark Ruffalo is indicative of the show’s connections to the wider MCU), and while it offers pleasant enough fun with its ancillary characters and continued to-camera remarks, ultimately the show lacks the sharp wit to satisfy in a definitive manner.
Star Tatiana Maslany stars as the title hero, both in her human form and as a CG representation of a female hulk standing nine feet tall and able to bench press a bus. She’s abetted by Ginger Gonzaga as Nikki, Jen’s best friend and paralegal, whose wisecracking snap and attitude is among the shows many delights. A surprisingly large supporting turn by Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky, aka The Abomination seen in The Incredible Hulk, is just delightful, while the much heralded return of Charlie Cox as Daredevil, soon to make his MCU series debut in 2024 after Netflix relinquished the rights, is hilariously well done. Wong (Benedict Wong) also appears in several episodes, which adds even more occasion to the show, while newcomers Jameela Jamil (as Titania), Josh Segarra (as Pug), Jon Bass (as Todd Phelps) and a hilarious Patty Guggenheim (as Madisynn) have their own unique characters to work on with typical varied levels of quality.
The problem with She-Hulk is that for a show developed as Marvel’s first sitcom, it ain’t laugh-out-loud funny. It’s fun, sure, and engaging through the roof. But it isn’t a very funny comedy, and that’s a shame. Still, if you enjoy middle-ground MCU fare and have a penchant for very large green women then this is a pleasant enough time-waster. Better than Hawkeye, at least.
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