The Incredible Hulk (2008) - Movie Review

 The Incredible Hulk - Nothing Incredible Here

Rating: 5/10

"You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."


Unfortunately, I didn’t like The Incredible Hulk much when I wasn’t angry, either. Released in 2008 as the second film in what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this take on the big green guy is darker, slower, and, honestly, not very fun.

The story picks up with Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) on the run, hiding from the U.S. military after a gamma radiation experiment turns him into the Hulk. He’s searching for a cure while staying one step ahead of General Ross (William Hurt) and navigating a strained romance with Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Meanwhile, a new threat emerges in the form of Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), who eventually becomes the monstrous Abomination.

Here’s the problem: The Incredible Hulk takes itself so seriously that it forgets to be entertaining. There’s very little levity, and the pacing feels sluggish in between (the very few) action beats. I don’t think Edward Norton was the right casting choice for Bruce Banner. His take is too brooding and self-serious, lacking the warmth and relatable awkwardness that Mark Ruffalo later brought to the role. The result? A Banner who’s hard to root for. He just does not fit the character. Say what you want about Ruffalo in the later MCU, he is still massively better than Norton for me.

Visually, the movie hasn’t aged well. The CGI Hulk and Abomination look rubbery, and the action, while serviceable, feels more like a video game cutscene than a high-stakes superhero battle. There are a few highlights, like the favela chase in Brazil and the Harlem showdown, but they’re not enough to save the overall experience.

From an MCU perspective, The Incredible Hulk is skippable. Aside from introducing General Ross (who would reappear years later) and nodding toward the Avengers a tiny bit more, it doesn’t feel as essential, or as enjoyable, as the other Phase One films. Recasting Norton and having no planned sequels in sight just reinforce the want to skip it.

The Incredible Hulk is too serious for its own good, underwhelming in both action and character, and Norton’s Banner just doesn’t land for me. If you’re doing a Marvel rewatch, this one’s more of a “check the box” than a must-see.

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