Joe's Review: The Incredible Hulk
After a science experiment turns Bruce Banner into the Hulk, Banner is on the run from the military and attempts to contain/control the Hulk.
I really dig this movie. I think Ruffalo does a better job capturing the hurt humanity of Banner but I think Norton does a fantastic job with the role. My favorite part is the first twenty minutes of him in hiding as he goes about his day job, learning portugeses, and trying to contain his anger. Even the way how the movie was framed was great as if its just a big budgeted episode of the old Hulk television series with Bill Bixby.
The chemistry and romance with Liv Tyler is cute at times but it pales in comparison to the likes of Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in Superman or Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin in Deadpool. William Hurt was strong in the role of General Ross but Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination is kind of unmemorable. Tim Blake Nelson as the Leader would have been badass down the line but unfortunately this is the only time we're ever gonna see any hint of the Leader.
The movie may be framed as the Fugitive with Hulk but there is action in here. I never felt any emotional stakes because the Hulk is just a powerhouse of destruction and never felt he was going to lose, but hopefully the destruction is entertaining to where it can hold my attention. The CGI didn't age well as Hulk looks more fake than he is with current Avengers flicks. That said the action is cool especially at the end. Sure having Hulk fight an evil version of himself is cliche not just in MCU movies but other movies as well but the climax was spectacular; seeing the Hulk rip two cars and use them as boxing gloves and beating the shit out of the abomination was satisfying.
There are a couple of easter eggs for comic book fans such as the serum that Blonsky used was derived from the same super solider program that was used on Captain America. In fact an alternative opening to the Incredible Hulk showed Captain America lying with the shield as Banner turns into the Hulk.
Overall the Incredible Hulk is a good(and only) standalone film starring the hulk with cool action sequences, decent acting, and a fairly paced plot.
I give the Incredible Hulk a 7.5/10