RECENT WATCHES: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Once again, we return to the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Iron Man” was a risk, as there was no guarantee the general public would respond to this somewhat obscure character. If the fledgling cinematic universe tripped on its first lap, the studio had a second chance later on in the same summer. While Iron Man was something of a b-lister, the Hulk is a beloved pop culture icon. The not-so-jolly green giant was best known for a fondly remembered seventies TV show. Five years earlier, a big budget “Hulk” movie made some money but split audience and fans with its artsy-fartsy approach. Marvel, still partnered with Universal Pictures, was well aware of how divisive Ang Lee's “Hulk” was. With “The Incredible Hulk,” they hoped to please Hulk fans let down by the previous adaptation and continue to grow their new film production studio.

Initially, it was reported that “The Incredible Hulk” would be a sequel to the 2005 film. Instead, it's a reboot that follows some of the cues laid down by the previous “Hulk.”  (It also draws a lot from the seventies TV show, including the gamma radiation machine and the theme song.) After an accident transformed him into the Incredible Hulk, Bruce Banner is on the run, hiding out in Brazil. An accident reveals himself to “Thunderbolt” Ross, the military leader tracking him... And also the father of Bruce's ex-girlfriend, Betty. Ross brings along Emil Blonsky, a soldier-for-life determined to do anything to gain Banner's strengths and none of his weakness. While seeking a cure for his condition and outrunning the military, Bruce will once again be forced to unleash the Hulk.

Marvel was upfront with their intentions for “The Incredible Hulk.” Instead of finding an internationally recognized auteur like Ang Lee, they got Louis Leterrier – best known for directing “The Transporter” movies – behind the camera. Leterrier was obviously hired for his ability to deliver a fast-paced, action-packed motion picture. And that's largely what “The Incredible Hulk” is. This is a chase movie, Bruce Banner being on the run for almost the entire story. When he's not running from "Thunderbolt" Ross' army, he's running from bullies at work, his relationship with Betty, or his own fears. This is an unambitious narrative, especially when compared to Lee's ponderous approach. Yet it mostly works for the Hulk, creating a movie that usually keeps your adrenaline pumping.

Granted, this fast-paced story construction has its downsides. The script makes some odd decisions. A bit too much of the film revolves around Bruce Banner trusting his life with a random Italian restaurant owner. Pizza is an actual plot point. For that matter, so are bottles of soda. If you thought the humor in the later Marvel movies are disruptive, the comic relief sequences in “The Incredible Hulk” – which ranges from an unhinged cab driver to a random appearance from Grover – are especially distracting. Though the Marvel films would later become experts at folding in characters or elements from the deeper lore, the way the Leader, Doc Samson, or the Super Soldier Serum appear here can't help but feel awkward.

The Marvel movies are often disparaged for their somewhat uniform visual design. Yet, probably because “The Incredible Hulk” came so early in the franchise's existence, this movie has a pretty distinctive look. There's a moody darkness to many of the sequence, especially when the commando team is fighting the Hulk in the soda factory. Sometimes, this approach borders on being overly brown and ugly, such as during the extended chaos of the last act. But it's still more visually interesting than many other Marvel films. The daytime scenes also, fittingly, have cranked up the green color filtering. Leterrier has an extremely tacky love of slow-motion, which he utilizes a few times through the film, but it's not bad enough to distract from my enjoyment.

Another thing very different about “The Incredible Hulk,” when compared to other Marvel flicks, is its cast. Or at least its leading man. Edward Norton is a great actor but his insistence on taking over a project butted up against Marvel's studio driven ideology. He's a pretty good Bruce Banner though. Norton emphasizes the character's nervousness, someone who works very hard to stay in control precisely because he knows the cost of loosing it. Norton does seem uncomfortable during the comic relief scene and there's never a performative link between him and the CGI Hulk. Liv Taylor has decent chemistry with Norton, as Betty. William Hurt is a delightful asshole as “Thunderbolt” Ross, the perfect kind of voice of authority way too secure in his own beliefs. The film smartly saves Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination until the end, giving us more time with the fittingly sweaty and sinister Tim Roth.

Despite being eleven years old, the special effects in “The Incredible Hulk” hold up pretty well. The Hulk is the most grotesque looking he's ever been, all veiny muscles and sinew with a constantly grimacing face. I prefer it over the rounder, friendlier iterations of the Hulk. The CGI still looks pretty good. The action sequences try to get the most of the movie's giant rage monster premise, with the Hulk tearing through tanks, walls, and buildings with ease. The decision to weaponize huge scraps of metal, a police car, or a giant chain are nice touches. The fight between the Hulk and the still-human but suped-up Blonsky is definitely a highlight. Only the final fight between the Hulk and the Abomination proves disappointing. Not so much because of the action itself, which is fine. Rather, there's nothing memorable about the cinematic interpretation of the Abomination. Rather than the awesome looking reptilian monster of the comics, the MCU Abomination is simply another exaggerated humanoid with various protruding bones.

Honestly, the lame redesign for the Abomination is about the only piece of fan-service “The Incredible Hulk” whiffs on. The movie includes many of the Hulk's trademark actions, such as the super clap, and his trademark line. The end-of-film teaser – put at the beginning of the credits, not the middle – couldn't possibly top Nick Fury's surprise appearance at the end of “Iron Man.” But it was still a cool touch, showing fans that an on-going universe was being formed here. Despite going out of its way to please fans, the general consensus on “The Incredible Hulk” is largely negative. Most fans regard this as one of the weaker Marvel films. Future Marvel productions have mostly ignored it. (Though Disney's inability to make a new “Hulk” solo movie without giving Universal some of the profits is probably a factor there too.) And, sure, it's not high art. It's not as ambitious or thematically layered as Ang Lee's “Hulk.” Yet there's something to be said for a film that promises Hulk smash and delivers on Hulk smash. [7/10]