5 Part Finale of The Incredible Hulk
I'm a convert of Blake Snyder's Save the Cat Method. But like I do with all plotting systems I pick and choose what I use. One part of this system I never use is the Five Part Finale. Because by the time I get to the Dark Moment, I just want the couple to kiss and live happily ever after. But I'm in the midst of writing an action packed fantasy romance that requires a big splash of an ending.
So I'm going to buckle down and do each of the five steps of Snyder's Finale.
What are the five steps?
Step One
Gathering the team: Before your hero can storm the castle, he must rally his supporters from Tests, Allies and Enemies and gather tools taught by Mentors and remember the lessons learned during Fun and Games. He might also need to travel to the location of the final showdown where there might be a “strapping on of the guns” scene, in which the team prepares for the showdown.
Step Two
Executing the plan: This is the actual storming of the castle in which the heroes enact the plan. This should show the hero's growth, and everything is going along well until Bam!
Step Three
The high tower surprise: This is where an unexpected twist occurs. In a romance plot, this could be a sudden revelation or a significant obstacle that appears, threatening the happily ever after. In a hero's journey, The “High Tower” could actually be the bad guy’s lair or the place where the loved one is being held captive or the elixir is being kept. And when your hero and his team arrive, either the object or loved one isn’t there, it’s a trap, or one of the team has been captured. Sometimes there is even a traitor exposed. Bottom line: The hero was overly confident, thinking they'd learned all they needed to know. But this is where Synthesis has to happen and a new idea has to come forth.
Step Four
Dig down deep: Faced with the twist, the hero must dig deep within themselves to find the strength, courage, or insight they need to overcome the challenge. In a romantic story, this might involve a character overcoming their own fears or insecurities about love and relationships.
Step Five
Execution of a new plan: Armed with faith, the hero steps into the unknown and tries something new, something that is often recklessly brave. Blake Snyder's examples are Luke uses the force in Star Wars and destroys the Death Star. And Peter Quill (Star Lord) starts to sing and dance in Guardian’s of the Galaxy, distracting Ronan, then Drax and Rocket shoot, releasing the infinity stone, and Peter catches it with his bare hands, proving he isn’t human alone.
No one does this better than Marvel. So I'll be breaking down the finale's of five marvel movies. You'll note I'm choosing the films with a love story. First up is The Incredible Hulk.
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008), starring Edward Norton, presents a compelling narrative that aligns closely with Blake Snyder's renowned Save the Cat screenplay structure. This structure, known for its effective storytelling framework, comprises various beats that outline a screenplay's progression. This essay examines the film's alignment with these beats from the Opening Image to the Break Into Three, offering a deeper understanding of its narrative structure.
Opening Image
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) -after the backstory montage of the credits showing the experiment gone wrong that made him the Hulk- begins with a glimpse into Bruce Banner's life in Brazil, where he lives under the radar, marked by seclusion and a disciplined routine. This opening sets up the film's tone, illustrating Banner's ongoing efforts to control his inner turmoil.
Theme Stated
The theme of grappling with inner demons is introduced. Bruce Banner's struggle to manage his anger, and the catastrophic outcomes when he loses control, embodies the film's exploration of human duality. This narrative thread highlights the delicate equilibrium between calm self-restraint and unbridled chaos, symbolized by Banner's transformation into the Hulk.
Set-Up
In these initial scenes, we are introduced to Banner's life in hiding, his work in a bottling factory, and his ongoing efforts to find a cure for his condition. This setup effectively establishes the stakes, Banner's goals, and the obstacles he faces, including the relentless pursuit by General Ross.
Catalyst
The catalyst that propels the story forward is the accidental discovery of Banner's location due to a drop of his blood contaminating a soda bottle. This incident forces Banner out of hiding, reigniting the central conflict and setting him on a path back to the United States.
Debate
Banner's internal debate is about whether to continue fleeing or to confront his past and seek a resolution. This is a critical moment that highlights Banner's internal conflict and his reluctance to face the potential consequences of his return.
The debate winner is Blonsky, the aging super soldier who outs the Hulk -after shooting his dog. The opposite of saving the cat or later petting the dog, setting Blonsky up as an abominable villain.
Break Into Two
The "Break Into Two" beat is distinctly marked by Bruce Banner's awakening in the jungles of Central America after transforming into the Hulk in the bottling factory. This pivotal moment propels Banner out of his cautious existence in hiding and compelling him to return to America. This decision, spurred by his exposure and the urgent need to address his condition, signifies a move from a reactive stance to a proactive one. It also escalates the stakes of the story, transitioning Banner from a life of evasion to one where he must confront his past and seek a resolution.
B Story
The B Story, primarily focusing on Banner's relationship with Betty, serves as an emotional counterpoint to the main narrative. Their complicated relationship adds depth to the story, providing insights into Banner's character and motivations. She humanizes his behavior as both man and hulk. His love for her is a key motivator in both his departure to keep her safe and his return because he's still in love with her.
The moments shared between Banner and Betty provide a necessary respite from the film's high-octane action sequences. Betty represents the 'normal' life that Banner yearns for but is constantly eluded by due to his condition. Their interactions offer quieter, introspective scenes that allow the audience to forge a deeper connection with these characters.
These scenes are often so quiet, with yearning gazes, and lingering touches. Ahhh so good.
This contrast is essential in a film like "The Incredible Hulk," where the action could otherwise overwhelm the narrative, leaving little room for character development.
Betty's involvement in Banner's quest for a cure and her interactions with her father, General Ross, are pivotal to the story's progression. Her role in the narrative extends beyond the romantic subplot, directly influencing key plot points and Banner's journey towards self-acceptance.
Fun and Games
In this phase, the film delves into Banner's life as he navigates the challenges of his condition. We see scenes of him evading capture, experimenting with potential cures, and the transformation into the Hulk. These sequences are crucial in establishing the 'rules' of the story world and Banner's dual existence.
We explore the film's central premise and Bruce Banner's challenges with his transformation into the Hulk. This section of the film is marked by Banner's intricate evasion tactics in his cat-and-mouse game with General Ross and the military, emphasizing his constant struggle to remain undetected. It also features several emotionally charged moments of Banner's transformation into the Hulk, highlighting the uncontrollable nature of these changes -except when he's face to face with Betty where we see he can control it.
We also get the answer to the question of can he be the same lover for Betty, and it's an unfortunate No as the heart rate monitor kicks in. You hear that, Natasha Romanoff?
Midpoint
The narrative reaches a turning point when Banner meets Mr. Blue, a scientist who might have a cure. However, this hopeful moment is counterbalanced by the heightened threat from General Ross and the military, escalating the story's tension.
Bad Guys Close In
As Banner gets closer to a potential cure, the threats around him intensify. We also see that Mr. Blue has diluted his blood and there's vials of it. The military, led by General Ross, closes in, and Emil Blonsky undergoes a transformation into the Abomination, setting up a formidable antagonist.
All Is Lost
The "All Is Lost" moment occurs when Banner is captured by General Ross, leading to a sense of despair. The cure is now a problem as the Abomination wreaks havoc on the innocents of Harlem, and Banner is powerless to do anything about it as he's given up his power.
Dark Night of the Soul
In this phase, Banner grapples with his captivity, facing the reality that the Hulk might be the only solution to the emerging threat of the Abomination. This introspective moment highlights Banner's acceptance of his other self as a necessary part of his identity.
Break Into Three
The narrative transitions into the third act with Banner's decision to not just confront the Abomination, but to confront the Hulk. He chooses to utilize the Hulk's power for a greater cause, setting the stage for the final confrontation.
THE FIVE PART FINALE
Which brings us to the Five Part Finale of The Incredible Hulk. Which is the third major battle in the film, but it's also a convergence of the internal and external goals for Banner of internal calm and external chaos.
1. Gathering the Team
Remember, the "Gathering the Team" phase typically involves the protagonist preparing for the final confrontation, often by assembling allies or resources.
In "The Incredible Hulk," this phase is portrayed both metaphorically rather than literally. There's a scene in the helicopter with Banner, Betty and the General where Banner tells them that they created this and they need to end it. But he has to physically do it himself.
Bruce Banner, a solitary figure throughout the film, needs to reconcile with and accept the Hulk as part of himself. This acceptance is pivotal as he prepares to confront the Abomination.
2. Executing the Plan
The "Executing the Plan" phase in Snyder's structure is where the protagonist puts their plan into action.
In the film, this phase commences with Banner's dramatic decision to jump out of the helicopter, uncertain if he will transform into the Hulk. This leap of faith marks the beginning of his direct confrontation with the Abomination. The subsequent transformation into the Hulk and the initiation of the battle in Harlem signify the execution of Banner's plan to stop the Abomination using the Hulk's strength.
3. High Tower Surprise
The "High Tower Surprise" introduces an unexpected twist or complication in the finale.
For the Hulk, this twist is the realization that the Abomination is a formidable opponent. He's just as strong. Maybe stronger as he nearly overpowers the Hulk in their confrontation. Surprise!
This unexpected turn in the battle adds a sense of real danger and uncertainty to the climax, as the audience witnesses the Hulk being pushed to his limits.
4. Dig Deep Down
The "Dig Deep Down" moment is where the protagonist must find an inner strength or realization to overcome their challenge.
In the film, this is depicted through Banner's internal realization that brute force alone will not defeat the Abomination. Instead, he needs to use his intelligence and the Hulk's strength in a more strategic way. This moment of internal strength is a turning point, as Banner harnesses the Hulk's rage in a controlled and purposeful manner. A key scene illustrating this is when the Hulk starts to use the environment to his advantage, turning the tide of the battle through tactical thinking rather than sheer force.
He uses physics and makes a sonic boom with a clap of his hands to put out the fire on the helicopter where Betty is trapped
He Hulk Smashes the concrete to trap the Abomination in the cracked cement.
5. Execution of the New Plan
Finally, the "Execution of the New Plan" phase is where the protagonist, armed with new strength or insight, carries out a revised strategy to overcome the final obstacle.
Utilizing his newfound tactical awareness, the Hulk begins to outmaneuver the Abomination, using not only his strength but also his surroundings and his Banner smarts to gain an advantage.
The climax of this phase is when the Hulk defeats the Abomination and then is killing him with a heavy chain to strangle his opponent. His fear was that he was a mindless killing machine. But it's Betty calling him back to humanity that stops him from ending the Abominations life.
FINALE
The finale scene in "The Incredible Hulk" (2008) brings us full circle with another quiet and introspective moment, contrasting sharply with the intense action of the climax. After the climactic battle with the Abomination, Bruce Banner finds himself in British Columbia, Canada.
In this scene, Banner is seen in a remote cabin, seemingly at peace in solitude. He's packaging up a necklace that Betty had pawned to help him get free. It's clear he's sending it back to her.
The key moment comes when Banner is sitting calmly, and his eyes flash green, hinting that he might have learned to control the transformation into the Hulk. This is underscored by a slight smile on his face and the count of days without an incident resetting to "1", suggesting that he has intentionally transformed. It implies that he has come to terms with the Hulk's presence within him, possibly harnessing the power rather than merely fearing it.
There's four more Marvelous break downs to go.
Up next is Doctor Strange. So if you haven't watched it in a while, or you've never seen it, be sure and pop some popcorn and see it before the next post!