Review of The Incredible Hulk (2008) by Patric M — 03 Oct 2013

"HULK SMASH!".

Note: I have not seen the 2003 Ang Lee Hulk film that everybody in the entire world seems to hate. So I can't make any comparisons. Now, on with my review to the 2008 film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

After a failed attempt at creating the Hulk in 2003, Marvel decided to reboot the popular superhero by placing him in the Marvel universe, along with Iron Man. While it had decent reviews from critics and audiences, many were still let-down in the end and the box-office performance made around the same amount as the 2003 film, though the film had enough support to put Hulk in The Avengers. To be honest, I don't understand some of the hate this film has, and in the end, I believe that The Incredible Hulk will end up as the most underrated film in the universe.

After scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) experiments himself with gamma radiation, he ends up turning into a green creature known as The Hulk when he's angry and is in a jam. Pursued by the military, who want to use the Hulk as a weapon, Banner travels around the globe to find a cure for his "disease", but when military officer Blonsky (Tim Roth) overdoses himself to the same radiation, becoming "The Abomination", Banner has to use the Hulk to save New York City from ultimate disaster.

The film also features William Hurt as military general Ross, who leads on the Hulk clase, Liv Tyler as Ross's scientific daughter Betty, who Banner falls for, Tim Blake Nelson as doctor Samuel Sterns, who attempts to help Banner find an antidote to the "gamma sickness", Ty Burrell as the other man who falls for Liv Tyler, a cameo appearance from Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and Stan Lee makes a cameo appearance drinking soda with Hulk blood in it.

Honestly, I have no idea why this film has a lot of hate. Yeah, the film was nowhere as epic as The Dark Knight or wonderfully awesome as Iron Man, but the film has tons of entertainment, and is a good definition of the term, "popcorn movie.".

I admit that the film does lack an origin story, but the opening credits tell how Banner became the Hulk well enough, so that problem didn't bother me. This lack of origin didn't rush the story, so I felt OK by it, especially if the other Hulk film had a longer origin story in it. But once the film truly begins with Banner hiding in Brazil, I had a fun time watching it.

The action sequences are entertaining, even if it might be too Michael Bay. The Brazil chase scene was fun, but the part in the factory was overdone, and the hiding of the Hulk creation was disappointing. A sequence in Culver University makes up for it, featuring Hulk in action and my child-at-heart wowing at the suspense. The climax between Hulk and Abomination at New York is also entertaining, even if the visuals scream, "CGI" all over the place.

And speaking of the visuals, they're decent. The Hulk looks strong in the action scenes, but in moments of emotion, all I saw was an ugly, digital blob. The Abomination always looked amazingly awesome, cause he was just in the climatic battle scene in the end. But scenes of army helicopters and Banner's blood looked obviously CG which kind of bugged me visually. It made me question if this was the same studio who succeeded in amazing visual effects in Iron Man. It's kind of disappointing that the same studio who had amazing visuals in said film created lackluster visuals in this one. But thankfully, future films in the universe improved in the visual effects department.

As far as acting goes, it's good. Edward Norton was a good Banner, but he didn't convince as the Hulk cause the Hulk was just a CG creation, so I didn't feel any emotions there. But as Banner, Norton was strong in handling emotions and complexity on a troubled scientist. Though if I was Banner, I would love to be the Hulk, but that's just me. Liv Tyler is a tricky one, cause she handled emotional scenes well, but I wanted to know more on her character, and not just a scientist who felt sorry for Banner. But William Hurt, on the other hand, was excellent in the role of General Ross, and was definitely the scene-stealer in this film. Tim Roth was good as the soldier Blonsky, but fails dramatically as the Abomination cause it's just a CG creation. While the action scene was done really well, I wanted to know that was Norton and Roth in the roles, not CG creatures fighting each other. But Robert Downey Jr. had an excellent cameo at the end of the film, hinting at more to come in the universe. Besides Stan Lee's cameo, also look for TV's Bruce Banner Bill Bixby in a TV cameo, and Lou Ferrigno, the Hulk from the same TV show, in a sequence involving pizza and a security guard. Funny stuff.

The score was provided by Craig Armstrong, and for a score compiled of intense instrumentation, it's decent. It's not the most memorable score in the world, but I was OK with the final result. That's all.

While the visuals were a little lackluster and it failed to reach it's true potential in CG emotions, The Incredible Hulk, while not an incredible film, is a fun superhero flick, filled with fun sequences, good performances, and an entertaining ride. It may not be Iron Man, but I enjoyed what I saw.