The Incredible Hulk: The Big Marvel Re-Watch
I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Plot Summary
This Film seemingly takes place after the first Hulk movie chronologically, despite being made by a different studio, as the first solo Hulk film is depicted loosely in the title sequence of this instalment. They rightfully didn't do another reboot and origin story so soon after the last one. This film is set after the events of the Gamma bomb, and sees Bruce Banner seeking a cure for his unique, giant, green, rage monster, counterpart, that he let's loose when he gets angry. A classic Jekyll and Hyde for the modern age. He's successfully on the run from the military, that is seeking his capture. Banner get's close to a cure when, mercenary turned equally if not bigger, rage monster is let loose by the government to capture him. The Hulk vs. Abomination endgame switches the game on it's head when Abomination goes to far and the Hulk becomes the hero. Before running off and continuing his solitary, nomadic lifestyle.
Review
I was surprised the Hulk was picked to be the second instalment. A risky decision after the first paid off so well? The first Hulk movie was awful. It had werewolf Hulk-ed up poodles in. So it was a refreshing that this was;t another origin story. After all people know the basic premise of Hulk. He had a long running TV series and people know he goes big and green when he get's angry so they chose to just tell a story with that. He's more of a household name than Iron Man, it made sense.
There are great set pieces, reminiscent of the Bourne movies, set in the gritty, third world countries Banner hides out in. Yet when we return to America, the army is shooting Hulk up on a University campus. The loose sense of believability goes out of the window. The army are the bad guys sure, but would the government risk attacking in that setting. The hate you get for them is real, I'll give them that. Maybe not for the right reasons though.
This film felt like a side step for me. The first film Iron Man, came out and was this great mix of visuals, likeable characters and humour. This had the odd joke sure, but it was considerably darker. Norton plays a great tortured should, but I think the reason this wasn't my cup of tea is that Hulk doesn't want to be a hero, he isn't fun. It's obvious looking back now that Norton wouldn't be let loose with the rest of the Avengers, and why the studio recast Ruffalo in the role. Norton plays the tortured Hulk well, but do you really want a superhero who doesn't want to be a superhero? The revelation in the Avengers when Tony gets Bruce to realise the Hulk is his version of the suit, and that he should just roll with it, combined with the revelation at the end of this film, that it seems that Bruce can turn at will, thanks to his meditation, was absolutely the right move.
As a conventional Hulk movie, this was bordering between solid and average for me. Sure it was good at what it did but ultimately I didn't want that. The key to a fun enjoyable Hulk story is to take him from mundane to the fantastic and have him let loose. He has a good dynamic with the other Avengers in the team up, and when he finally chooses to be a hero. A good Hulk comic book for me is along the lines of Planet Hulk. Fish out of water, and let him react, in this new environment, rather than just more lonely wandering around.
Marvel seemed to also note that this movie wasn't quite what they wanted. A lot of threads were left dangling. General Ross, is only just coming back in the upcoming Civil War movie. Another character getting Hulk juicy-goodness dripped onto his head and turning into The Leader, is another plot thread left dangling. Hulk appears to now be able to control when he turns with his meditation just before the credits roll.
The End Credit Scene
General Ross is visited by Tony Stark in a bar to be told they are putting a team together. So it looks like either Ross is responsible for ultimately tracking the Hulk down for Black Widow to go and chat to at the Start of the Avengers or (quite a long shot here, but) a possibly missed tease that Ross was wanted for the Avengers as his comic book Red Hulk counterpart.
The Incredible Hulk Rating: 5/10
Good at what it does. This just isn't the Hulk that people wanted and the studio later rectifies it.
 |
| Marvel's second film and an odd choice. |
Plot Summary
This Film seemingly takes place after the first Hulk movie chronologically, despite being made by a different studio, as the first solo Hulk film is depicted loosely in the title sequence of this instalment. They rightfully didn't do another reboot and origin story so soon after the last one. This film is set after the events of the Gamma bomb, and sees Bruce Banner seeking a cure for his unique, giant, green, rage monster, counterpart, that he let's loose when he gets angry. A classic Jekyll and Hyde for the modern age. He's successfully on the run from the military, that is seeking his capture. Banner get's close to a cure when, mercenary turned equally if not bigger, rage monster is let loose by the government to capture him. The Hulk vs. Abomination endgame switches the game on it's head when Abomination goes to far and the Hulk becomes the hero. Before running off and continuing his solitary, nomadic lifestyle.
 |
| Emil Blonsky all Hulked up. |
Review
I was surprised the Hulk was picked to be the second instalment. A risky decision after the first paid off so well? The first Hulk movie was awful. It had werewolf Hulk-ed up poodles in. So it was a refreshing that this was;t another origin story. After all people know the basic premise of Hulk. He had a long running TV series and people know he goes big and green when he get's angry so they chose to just tell a story with that. He's more of a household name than Iron Man, it made sense.
There are great set pieces, reminiscent of the Bourne movies, set in the gritty, third world countries Banner hides out in. Yet when we return to America, the army is shooting Hulk up on a University campus. The loose sense of believability goes out of the window. The army are the bad guys sure, but would the government risk attacking in that setting. The hate you get for them is real, I'll give them that. Maybe not for the right reasons though.
This film felt like a side step for me. The first film Iron Man, came out and was this great mix of visuals, likeable characters and humour. This had the odd joke sure, but it was considerably darker. Norton plays a great tortured should, but I think the reason this wasn't my cup of tea is that Hulk doesn't want to be a hero, he isn't fun. It's obvious looking back now that Norton wouldn't be let loose with the rest of the Avengers, and why the studio recast Ruffalo in the role. Norton plays the tortured Hulk well, but do you really want a superhero who doesn't want to be a superhero? The revelation in the Avengers when Tony gets Bruce to realise the Hulk is his version of the suit, and that he should just roll with it, combined with the revelation at the end of this film, that it seems that Bruce can turn at will, thanks to his meditation, was absolutely the right move.
As a conventional Hulk movie, this was bordering between solid and average for me. Sure it was good at what it did but ultimately I didn't want that. The key to a fun enjoyable Hulk story is to take him from mundane to the fantastic and have him let loose. He has a good dynamic with the other Avengers in the team up, and when he finally chooses to be a hero. A good Hulk comic book for me is along the lines of Planet Hulk. Fish out of water, and let him react, in this new environment, rather than just more lonely wandering around.
 |
| Betty is completely forgotten in future films. A love story with Widow shoehorned in its place. Ross is coming back for Civil War though. Red Hulk anyone? |
Marvel seemed to also note that this movie wasn't quite what they wanted. A lot of threads were left dangling. General Ross, is only just coming back in the upcoming Civil War movie. Another character getting Hulk juicy-goodness dripped onto his head and turning into The Leader, is another plot thread left dangling. Hulk appears to now be able to control when he turns with his meditation just before the credits roll.
 |
| The effects look slightly wrong now looking back. All those veins and muscles. I would be scared to have him on my team. |
The End Credit Scene
General Ross is visited by Tony Stark in a bar to be told they are putting a team together. So it looks like either Ross is responsible for ultimately tracking the Hulk down for Black Widow to go and chat to at the Start of the Avengers or (quite a long shot here, but) a possibly missed tease that Ross was wanted for the Avengers as his comic book Red Hulk counterpart.
The Incredible Hulk Rating: 5/10
Good at what it does. This just isn't the Hulk that people wanted and the studio later rectifies it.
The Incredible Hulk: The Big Marvel Re-Watch
Reviewed by Matt
on
00:00:00
Rating:
Reviewed by Matt
on
00:00:00
Rating:
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