Ah. The forgotten film of the MCU. Or at least that is how Marvel would like you to remember…. or not remember it. I like this movie. The Hulk has always been one of my favorites and this version was far superior to Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003). Bruce Banner’s journey is one of combatting loneliness and the military. After watching Ironman be buddies with the military, this film stands in stark contrast. Bruce and Betty attempt to cure Bruce of his affliction. General Ross and his foreign henchman for hire, Emile Blonsky, attempt to capture Bruce to replicate the Hulk.
The highlight of the film is Edward Norton’s acting. He has so many “little scenes.” He helps create an economic film. He allows the audience to see so much in moments of silence. Again, Ironman was filled with witty dialogue, while in contrast The Hulk was filled with silence. I never felt the silence was empty. It really helped create this overwhelming sense of loneliness. Even the opening was quick and got the origin in without too much labor. The quick cuts and quick scenes helped the film move quickly while being a film about loneliness.
Quick Hits
Dr. Betty Ross. Sad that she never came back. Liv Tyler is awesome.
I remember the CGI being better. It does not really hold up.
I love all of the callbacks to The Incredible Hulk tv show.
The Lonely Man Theme from The Incredible Hulk tv show is amazing and I love its use in the film.
The actor that plays Peter Parker’s teacher in the MCU Spiderman films is in this as a random scientist. Neat.
The Tony Stark recruiting the Hulk post-credits scene was later retconned because it made no sense.
Who is this random old-man Pizza Guy that helps Bruce? They created this random character to help move the plot forward. I didn’t mind him. I actually enjoy his scenes. Just random.
The Stan Lee Cameo helps forward the plot! He has a drink that Bruce’s blood got into and that helps General Ross track him down.
"Not even a little excited?" Remember Bruce has Incredible dysfunction.
Overall, I still enjoy the film. I am a little biased as a huge Incredible Hulk fan. The second and third Hulk scenes were highlights of the film. It helps to show that Bruce and the Hulk are the same being by the Hulk freaking out to protect Betty. In the beginning, Bruce sees a woman being harassed and walks away but comes back. In the end, Bruce has to face the monster inside of him instead of running from it. Bruce and the Hulk are heroes. He uses the Hulk to save Harlem from the Abomination (the multiple-super-soldier-processes-created-villain). The film does not balance the Raimi Spiderman' and Nolan Batman' influences as effectively as Ironman does. The Incredible Hulk (2008) feels a little dark for an MCU film. Overall, it is one of the most subtle films in the series. It does not have the same character arc as other films. I believe that is why it does not resonate in the same way as the others. How does Bruce change aside from accepting and trying to control the monster inside him? Is it that he is starting to accept that he could be a hero? Who knows? We never got another Hulk solo film.