Today’s quick review: The Incredible Hulk. As the result of an experiment with gamma radiation gone wrong, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) transforms into the Hulk, an incredibly powerful, rampaging monster, whenever he gets angry. Fleeing the U.S. Army and General “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt), he hides out in South America, working to control his rage, until a stroke of bad luck puts him back on the Army’s radar. The Army sends Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), a talented special forces operative, to flush out Banner. With the help of Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), Bruce’s ex-girlfriend and the daughter of General Ross, he races to escape the Army, keep his transformations under control, and look for a cure for his destructive condition.
The Incredible Hulk is the second movie in Marvel’s successful shared universe of superhero films. Released the same year as Iron Man and The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk was overshadowed by the two other films. But for all that superhero films have improved since its release, The Incredible Hulk remains a solid film and an enjoyable watch, making it a hidden gem of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Incredible Hulk delivers what it promises: plenty of action, a dash of personal drama, touches of humor, and a few shoutouts to the character’s long history. The tensions of the story play out well on the big screen. Bruce Banner wants nothing more than to be left alone, free to keep his temper down, work on a cure, and keep others safe. The Army is unwilling to let him roam free, disrupting what peace he manages to find and endangering those around him by forcing him to transform into the Hulk. This one tension drives most of the plot, which is compelling if not especially deep.
Where the film really shines is its action. The terrifying, dangerous side of the Hulk is shown early on when Emil Blonsky confronts Banner in South America, while the Hulk’s raw destructive potential comes out in later fights. The CG animation is more than up to the task of bringing the Hulk to life. Hulk’s quick, powerful movements and creative use of his environment make each fight an enjoyable experience.
Watch The Incredible Hulk if you are a fan of action, science fiction, or comic book movies. While not as superlative as later entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredible Hulk is a good movie that holds up well and deserves more attention than it got. Skip The Incredible Hulk if you are not a fan of the genre, you are expecting the higher standards of the later MCU, or you are looking for a bit more in the way of characters or depth.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for big fights, an interesting plot, and solid execution.