Movies / Comics Movie Reviews

Avengers Spotlight: The Incredible Hulk

By Troy-Jeffrey Allen
May 3, 2012 - 16:03

In anticipation of The Avengers, I’m revisiting the Marvel films that lead up to the May 5th release. The Joss Whedon-helmed movie event has the potential to be the comic book industry’s most important bid to re-establish its status as modern mythology. I’ll be reviewing each film as I’m attending what my local Regal multiplex has dubbed “The Marvel Movie Marathon.” Ill be examining why certain films captivated the zeitgeist, why certain films failed to impress critics, what each film meant for Marvel Studios’ end game, why The Avengers film could be a bigger sales boost for comic books than the New 52, and how Marvel has augmented Hollywood’s game plan.

Okay. So,for reasons that I can only assume have to do with the fact that all the Avengers films were distributed by Paramount except The Incredible Hulk (which was Universal), the Edward Norton film is absent from the “Marathon” that I am attending. Regardless, I do own the movie on DVD (old school). I’ve provided some pre-prepared thoughts on the film below…

Thought:

Because it follows the nugget of Avengers information found in 2008’s Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk is the first true indication that Marvel Studios wasn’t screwing around --- that they were willing to see this “cinematic universe” to the end.

Thought:

After Ang Lee’s not meritless but confusingly unfamiliar 2003 film, Marvel Studios looked to screenwriter Zak Penn (X2: X-Men United, X-Men 3: The Last Stand) to establish the green goliath again. Released in theaters only a month (and some change) behind Iron Man, Penn’s take on The Incredible Hulk wisely hugged closer to the 1970s television series that was largely responsible for the character’s pop influence. In doing so, it manages to recapture the show’s sentimentalism,  with a much larger effects budget.  

Thought:

The Incredible Hulk may be the unsung hero of the Marvel Movie Universe. The film was given a thumbs-in-the-middle by critics and seems to be forgotten when referenced alongside the other Avengers films. However, the plot to the 2008 film is an impressive exercise in multitasking. It rebuilds the origin story, re-establishes and augments the characters’ relationships from the previous film, uses a super-soldier subplot to set up 2011’s Captain America film, sets up its own sequel, and finally, bends in the direction of 2012’s Avengers movie.

Thought:

Whatever he lacks in story, director Louis Letterier makes up for in action. You can tell he enjoys building up to the reveal of the Hulk, as well as displaying the brute force of the creature.

Thought:

Until I get to check out Ruffalo’s “mocapped” Hulk, The Incredible Hulk remains the best CG version of the character. It’s only during the film’s gaudy action finale that you become aware of how cartoon-y the CGI character is.

Thought:

Zak Penn’s efforts seem to have been pushed aside despite how much groundwork he lays down for The Avengers. His script for the Incredible Hulk was reworked by Edward Norton. Norton’s dissatisfaction with the film’s story was one of the reasons that Norton is now being replaced by Mark Ruffalo. In addition, Penn’s Avengers script was seemingly tossed out in favor Joss Whedon’s version (for the record, I side with the Whedon decision).

Rating: 7.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12