8 / 10
"this is more than your average block buster, superhero film"
BRASON T. July 2, 2019
MOVIE INFO
Bruce Banner has to deal with his anger issues while looking for a gamma radiation cure. Meanwhile he is hunted down by General Ross and his best man Emil Blonsky.
Rating:
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PG-13 (for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images and brief suggestive content)
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Genre:
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Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
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Directed By:
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Louis Leterrier
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Written By:
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Zak Penn
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In Theaters:
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Jun 12, 2008 Wide
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Runtime:
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2h 15m
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Studio:
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Universal Pictures
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CAST
REVIEW
This is more than your average blockbuster, superhero film. I like to think of it as a character study on mainly Bruce Banner, but it also has a great supporting cast. A love letter to Hulk fans. It’s sad we never got more Hulk solo films, and that most of these actors and characters are not used in the MCU. But let’s delve into what we got in 2008’s, “The Incredible Hulk” starting with…
The Good:
Bruce Banner; this is quite possibly the most troubled Bruce we will ever see on screen. Too bad Kevin Feige went with a more comedic one in “The Avengers”. The incident in the beginning credits disturbs him which is shown by Edward Norton’s facial expressions throughout the whole movie. This blank, slumped over man walking through the streets is somewhat hard to watch at points. You feel bad in a way, and rightfully so. Honestly, I don't think he has any emotion whatsoever. Yes, even for Betty Ross. “Isn’t she supposed to be his true love?”, you may ask. Sort of, and what I mean is I feel Bruce thinks it’s more of a duty to protect her. Every time Betty is screaming for Bruce, he never gives that sort of emotion back. She never even notices or questions it. It blinds her, which kind of sucks. She could be with someone better for her, but instead she wants to stay with Bruce. Natasha A.K.A. Black Widow I think is his first true love. His face lights up when he sees her completely different then the way he looks at Betty. Now onto his alter ego.
Hulk; ever since the first moment he’s Hulk, it’s terrifying. The strikes are lethal, his roars have meaning, and his look is intimidating. It feels like a Todd McFarlane version of Hulk. The score by Craig Armstrong gives off a monster movie vibe. And any great Hulk story is of him protecting society, but not getting the credit for it. General Ross is still after him even though Hulk saved Betty from an incoming helicopter. It’s not just Bruce feeling rejected from society, it’s Hulk.
Emil Blonsky/Abomination; his determination shown in the chase scene in Portugal resembles an early Captain America or Winter Soldier. It doesn’t seem like he can beat the Hulk but the more you watch him, you think he can actually do it like Ross thought. Blonsky becoming Abomination didn’t feel forced. It felt like a natural progression for their 3rd fight. Oh boy, was Abomination unsettling and powerful. He should’ve definitely been an Avengers villain. But I digress, perfect foe for the Hulk. Someone near Hulk’s strength like Thanos before we even knew Thanos was in this universe.
Extra: 1. The shot of Hulk in the smoke at the beginning was phenomenal 2. I like the detail of Bruce stumbling upon Betty and General Ross without meaning or wanting to 3. “Days Without Incident” is a nice touch
The Bad:
There aren’t that many problems for me in here. First one being this is the only movie that I can recall that addresses Bruce’s blood being able to cure diseases. This is never touched upon again in the whole series. Odd, but I guess that wouldn’t be fun to watch. Another issue I have is how the two females in the movie cling onto Bruce like he’s a hero. But no, Bruce is supposed to be a depressed loner. The lady in the factory lusts over him even though he doesn’t keep up with his hygiene. Betty is obsessed with him, going back to my point earlier. She screams for him and she gets nothing in response. This is probably something the writers overlooked.
Final Rating: 8/10
The Good:
Bruce Banner; this is quite possibly the most troubled Bruce we will ever see on screen. Too bad Kevin Feige went with a more comedic one in “The Avengers”. The incident in the beginning credits disturbs him which is shown by Edward Norton’s facial expressions throughout the whole movie. This blank, slumped over man walking through the streets is somewhat hard to watch at points. You feel bad in a way, and rightfully so. Honestly, I don't think he has any emotion whatsoever. Yes, even for Betty Ross. “Isn’t she supposed to be his true love?”, you may ask. Sort of, and what I mean is I feel Bruce thinks it’s more of a duty to protect her. Every time Betty is screaming for Bruce, he never gives that sort of emotion back. She never even notices or questions it. It blinds her, which kind of sucks. She could be with someone better for her, but instead she wants to stay with Bruce. Natasha A.K.A. Black Widow I think is his first true love. His face lights up when he sees her completely different then the way he looks at Betty. Now onto his alter ego.
Hulk; ever since the first moment he’s Hulk, it’s terrifying. The strikes are lethal, his roars have meaning, and his look is intimidating. It feels like a Todd McFarlane version of Hulk. The score by Craig Armstrong gives off a monster movie vibe. And any great Hulk story is of him protecting society, but not getting the credit for it. General Ross is still after him even though Hulk saved Betty from an incoming helicopter. It’s not just Bruce feeling rejected from society, it’s Hulk.
Emil Blonsky/Abomination; his determination shown in the chase scene in Portugal resembles an early Captain America or Winter Soldier. It doesn’t seem like he can beat the Hulk but the more you watch him, you think he can actually do it like Ross thought. Blonsky becoming Abomination didn’t feel forced. It felt like a natural progression for their 3rd fight. Oh boy, was Abomination unsettling and powerful. He should’ve definitely been an Avengers villain. But I digress, perfect foe for the Hulk. Someone near Hulk’s strength like Thanos before we even knew Thanos was in this universe.
Extra: 1. The shot of Hulk in the smoke at the beginning was phenomenal 2. I like the detail of Bruce stumbling upon Betty and General Ross without meaning or wanting to 3. “Days Without Incident” is a nice touch
The Bad:
There aren’t that many problems for me in here. First one being this is the only movie that I can recall that addresses Bruce’s blood being able to cure diseases. This is never touched upon again in the whole series. Odd, but I guess that wouldn’t be fun to watch. Another issue I have is how the two females in the movie cling onto Bruce like he’s a hero. But no, Bruce is supposed to be a depressed loner. The lady in the factory lusts over him even though he doesn’t keep up with his hygiene. Betty is obsessed with him, going back to my point earlier. She screams for him and she gets nothing in response. This is probably something the writers overlooked.
Final Rating: 8/10