DVD Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Marvel Studios' Latest Incarnation of Ol' Mean Green Hits DVD

Nov 4, 2008

After what was seen as a weak effort by director Ang Lee with a muddled release of a first theatrical Hulk movie, Louis Leterrier releases this superior remake. 7.75/10

Not so much a sequel than a preferred retconned version of a big-screen Hulk movie, The Incredible Hulk offers a better premise, while allowing for some very slight and acceptable creative liberties, to update the popular Marvel character for the 21st century.

Unlike its 2003 predecessor (which drew ire from hardcore fans over so many liberties taken with both the origin story, and the look of the character), The Incredible Hulk feels more structured than the original, and retains a fair bit of the original back story, dealing with gamma radiation and how an accidental overdose during a military experiment turns regular scientist Bruce Banner into a large mutated force of nature.

Without using this film to re-explain the origin of the monster (by cleverly using the opening credits to offer some backstory filler), the story shows scientist on-the-run Banner (Edward Norton), currently living and working incognito in Brazil, hiding from the U.S. Army, while researching potential cures (by way of some plant-based ingredients) that would prevent him from turning into the Hulk.

Soon a mishap occurs at the soda factory where he works, and proof of his existence makes its way back to the ever persevering General Ross (William Hurt), who seeks to capture the Hulk, and the threat he represents to any foreign power seeking to harness its secrets.

Relying on high-tech Stark Technologies (provided by Stark Enterprises, a focal point of sister movie Iron Man), Ross stops at nothing to recapture the green behemoth, enlisting the help of a gung-ho soldier, Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), who offers himself as a potential subject for an experimental formula derived from an old World War II Super Soldier serum.

All the while, Banner reconnects with old flame and fellow colleague Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), who seeks to help him stay one step ahead of the armed forces, and finding some kindred spirits in the scientific community, looking to aid him in finding a permanent cure.

Most of what ensues gives way to many spectacular fight scenes, chases, explosions, and all that Marvel fans have read about for decades past.

Director Louis Leterrier (director of the famous Transporter movies) finds a great middle ground, in order to truly pay tribute to both the popular comic book and its various media offsprings (as well as offering an improvement on the reviled 2003 version.)

Leterrier heavily relied on the comic book's themes of duality and salvation; as a result this new film is remindful in many respects of the classic television series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, which itself dealt greatly with finding a cure for the character's affliction, while on the run from an undaunted investigating reporter (a substitute for the Ross figure in the film).

Edward Norton brings his usual meticulousness to therole of Bruce Banner, echoing Bixby's portrayal of the character David Banner, on the 1970's CBS series. Leterrier even drops a nod to the classic show, by having Banner's eyes turning green, a now culturally known visual icon of the character losing his cool, and "hulking out". This, and many other tongue-in-cheek references to the comic book and show, were likely thrown in a a show of thanks to fans who were ready to give this second outing a chance.

Liv Tyler fails to produce a character of substance, and feels miscast in this movie. Playing opposite some highly respected actors who have often been nominated for major awards, her presence feels almost like an error in judgment. Best to have kept Jennifer Connelly, which would have provided a slight bit of continuity from the 2003 film.

As for William Hurt and Tim Roth (as General Ross and Emil Blosnky), they are in full possesion of their roles, enjoying their time on screen, giving each scene they're in, a much vital shot of adrenaline and intensity.

This film plays more realistically to The Hulk's true persona, that of a 9-foot monster whose stretchy pants manage to stay on. This is a relief, compared to the awkward reinvention by Ang Lee a few years back, where his Hulk grew up to be as big as 25 feet tall, depending on how angry he got.

The finale of the film, where viewers witness a massive fight between the Hulk and Blonsky (who by then has become a large monster in his own right, The Abomination), is one of the highlights of the movie, which was mostly shot in and around Toronto, Ontario, Canada. What's more of a treat, is that said fight lasts for a good short while, giving moviegoers bang for their hard earned buck.

The one-disc version reviewed here has very little in the way of extras, and only feature a handful of minor deleted scenes, and a commentary by director Leterrier, and Tim Roth. For the royal treatment, fans should seek out the 3-Disc version, which features an extensive making of featurette, a digital copy, and some in-depth looks into the F/X process.

7.75 out of 10, for being an improvement on the 2003 movie, and winking at the old TV show

The copyright of the article DVD Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008) in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films is owned by Dominic Messier. Permission to republish DVD Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.