The Incredible Hulk - Thoughts

As part of my run up to The Avengers, I figured I should quickly catch-up on the individual Marvel superhero movies I’d missed. While I’d seen the 2003 Hulk movie with Eric Bana, I was yet to see the 2008 The Incredible Hulk movie. From what I was told it did tie into The Avengers movie, but only very minimally. In this second iteration of the Hulk, which served as a reboot owing to the mixed reception of the 2003 edition, Bruce Banner is part of a military program; which goes wrong forcing him to flee the United States. In an attempt to cure himself he returns 5 years later, and is now forced to battle the demons he once fled.

The opening sequences of the movie where a good part of the back-story is explained using the opening credits, was quite unique and interesting. It related well to the comic origins of the Hulk character, and contributed to a charged beginning. The movie was relatively long, with plenty of slow story evolution and deep drama moments. That said there were multiple action sequences, where the sheer brute strength of the mammoth Hulk was at large and for the audiences to enjoy. Unlike many other superhero movies, Bruce Banner is clearly consumed by darkness and pain. Due to this The Incredible Hulk is nothing like the loud and wacky Iron Man franchise. Whether you’re a comic book freak or a die-hard action movie buff, The Incredible Hulk is worth the watch. Thanks to its strong narrative elements, it has more depth than most random action flicks. I personally felt that the final battle was weaker than what I’d have liked, but that might just be me. Truth be told, it did feel like a comic book ending. Though it isn't necessary to see this movie before other movies in the marvel series, it does tie in well into the overall story-line.

Edward Norton who played Bruce Banner and The Hulk was perfect, as the distraught man who had fled the US Army special project, and was living in hiding. He wasn't the typical superhero, and his portrayal of Bruce Banner did justice to the reality and hardship of a man cut off from his past, and living a lonely sad life. Liv Tyler played Betty Ross, Bruce’s love interest, and someone he had to let go of when he was forced to flee. She too did well as the caring, ever understanding companion, who had missed him dearly, and was ready to take him back and help him, even after the cut off for several years. Tim Roth plays Emil Blonsky, the special ops soldier who unlike most other soldiers develops a vendetta to battle the Hulk, and goes about it, round after round, mercilessly. His low on values, ruthless ways lent itself well towards the  general’s almost mercenary agenda.

Being unable to place my hands on a Region 1 US DVD, I was forced to acquire and sample an HD rip of the movie. The source for the rip was a Blueray, and the rip resolution was 720p. Colors were vivid, but the tone was a tad dark, especially in the non-daylight scenes. This was probably intentional and to do with the darker narrative elements of the Bruce / Hulk character. Sound was presented by means of a DTS 5.1 soundtrack, and was pretty on point. Action sequences were loud and had impact, while dialog was clear, and the general ambiance calm in places, in keeping with plot elements.

My Recommendation: Watch It (A dark retelling of the Hulk story)