The Incredible Hulk (2008)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Louis Leterrier

Writers (WGA):

Zak Penn (screenplay)
Zak Penn (screen story)

Release Date:

13 June 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

On June 13, get ready to unleash the beast.

Plot:

Dr. Bruce Banner, thanks to a gamma ray experiment gone wrong, transforms into a giant green-skinned hulk whenever his pulse rate gets too high. Meanwhile, a soldier uses the same technology to become an evil version of the original.

Plot Keywords:

Hulk | Cure | Scientist | Soldier | Antidote

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Edward Norton	...	Bruce Banner
Liv Tyler	...	Betty Ross
Tim Roth	...	Emil Blonsky
William Hurt	...	Gen. 'Thunderbolt' Ross
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Samuel Sterns
Ty Burrell	...	Leonard
Christina Cabot	...	Major Kathleen Sparr
Peter Mensah	...	General Joe Greller
Lou Ferrigno	...	The Incredible Hulk / Security Guard (voice)
Paul Soles	...	Stanley
Débora Nascimento	...	Martina
Greg Bryk	...	Commando #1
Chris Owens	...	Commando #2
Al Vrkljan	...	Commando #3
Adrian Hein	...	Commando #4

Also Known As:

Hulk 2 (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images, and brief suggestive content.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese | Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:12A | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Hong Kong:IIB | Greece:K-13 | Philippines:G | Brazil:10 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44454) | Netherlands:12 | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Spain:7 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Peru:14 | Germany:16 | Germany:12 (cut) | Denmark:11 | Sweden:11 | France:U | New Zealand:M | South Africa:10V (theatrical rating) | Austria:12 | South Africa:13V (DVD rating) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Arlington, Virginia, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

In Germany the film was cut for a more commercial "Not under 12" rating. However, these cuts were done so clumsily that not only movie buffs but also average movie goers noticed them which resulted in lots of complaints to theater owners. To apologize for this some cinemas gave away free movie tickets to the complaining customers. Additionally many cinemas, including some of Germany's largest cinema chains, included warning messages on their websites to raise awareness of the issue.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Tim Roth's character is a Captain, but not only is it against Military policy to grow a beard, it would not be tolerated from an Officer. So both his and the General's facial hair are way below Military standards.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bruce Banner: Is it ready?

Movie Connections:

Featured in 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Soundtrack

In every aspect better than the first.

Whereas Ang Lee's laughable film with the Big Green Angry Hero was seen taking on poodles with mutated rabies or fighting his dad who transformed into Zeus the lightning God - this film mercifully makes us forget the first film. Not that the first film is horrible, but those were just pushing it. This film,, however, is more serious and more deep than the first.

Edward Norton (whom I applauded for in "The Illusionist"), does his Bruce Banner character justice and depth, allowing Norton to flex his acting ability and makes the hero more understanding than Eric Bana in the first. Liv Tyler plays his love interest convincingly, as per William Hurt, who is good as Thunderbolt Ross. And fans can rest easy, as Tim Roth's portrayal of Emil Blonsky/Abomination hit the right notes (although with a dollop of well-handled CGI), menacing and ruthless altogether.

The story is great, really follows the comics and TV show. Zak Penn and Ed Norton, as Hulk fans themselves, do the screenplay justice. The direction is crisp by Transporter 2 director Louis Leterrier, who is arguably the right guy to direct the film. The action scenes are also crisp, with a touch of CGI here and there, and the climax is slam-bang and more than satisfactory.

I'm not a fan of the Hulk, however I do know most about his story based on fan sites and some comics I read when I was a kid. After watching this, it's safe to say that fans will not be disappointed and their expectations will be blown away. I welcome a sequel with open arms, albeit if Leterrier decides to return.

Overall, a great summer flick, definitely for a fun time at the cinema. That being said, I think Marvel has done the right move producing their own films ever since Iron Man.

8.5/10 for Entertainment

7.3/10 Overall

Delton.