Why Are You Always Hitting People?

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2015)

The Incredible Hulk is the second of the six Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One films. Though many consider this film to be one of the worst Phase One films, I personally hold the opinion it is the best, and that includes taking into account The Avengers. This film was coming off of the 2003 Hulk from which was directed by Ang Lee. That might have played a factor in people hating this film, and not giving it a fair change, but I was always willing to give this film a fair shake. Thankfully, I did, and so should everyone out there. The following is my review of The Incredible Hulk.
The Incredible Hulk was written by Zak Penn. Before this film Penn already had writing credits for comic book movies. For example, X-Men 2 and X-Men: The Last Stand, and has since also wrote The Avengers. The story in this film sort of rushes past the back story that many probably wouldn't have enjoyed after the previous Hulk outing. Instead we get some flashbacks earlier in the film, and the characters build up the knowledge over the course of the film as well. Bruce Banner is in Brazil to start this film. He is hiding out from the US government, as they are actively hunting him down. He is still in contact with a professor from the states who wants to help Banner with his gamma radiation problems. Banner attempts to solve it with rare flower he comes across but no luck. After an accident at his job in Brazil, the US Government finally finds him, which in turn forces him back to the states. This is just a light rundown of the overall plot, and on this review I won't be spoiling anything. Even though the character development for some of the major characters isn't all that impressive, the overall story is great and a joy to see progress. Zak Penn does an excellent job on this film, and I see why he was asked back to write a bigger MCU film.
The film was directed by Louis Leterrier. Leterrier prior to this film had worked on films such as The Transporter 1 and 2. Since this film was released he worked on Clash of the Titans and Now You See Me. While I do generally enjoy the work Leterrier does on his films, this film still impresses me the most. There are so many action scenes in this film. Far more than the previous MCU film had(Iron Man). I would say of the last twenty five minutes or so of the movie, a good fifteen to twenty minutes of that was pure action. That can take a toll on a production, especially since CG has to be used when creating an action scene with a character like the Hulk. At times the CG can be awful, though most of the time it is generally at least good.
On the acting side of things, the film is lead by Edward Norton(Bruce Banner), and also stars William Hurt(General Ross), Tim Roth(Emil Blonsky), and Liv Tyler(Betty Ross). The film also features other amazing actors like Tim Blake Nelson in smaller roles. This film is very well acted across the board. Even though Edward Norton never returned to this character, he seemed to get along amazing with everyone on set and he clearly works well with the other actors. Also, in my opinion Edward Norton is the best Bruce Banner/Hulk that has been done on the big screen. That might be an unpopular opinion, but I stand by it. Overall. Leterrier does an excellent job, with only some minor issues in the CG department of the film. This is one director I do hope is invited back to do another MCU film.
The film was composed by Craig Armstrong. This was the first and only time Armstrong worked in the MCU. He has worked on other films such as World Trade Center, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and The Great Gatsby. After re-watching The Incredible Hulk once again, I find great shame that Armstrong was never asked back to compose another MCU film. In my opinion this is easily one of the best MCU scores, and I will go a step further and say one of the best comic book scores that I have ever heard. The depth it adds in the action scenes, and even the slower scenes in untouchable by many of the other MCU films. Hopefully as the years go on Armstrong will get more respect for this film. He greatly deserves it.
In closing, The Incredible Hulk is truly an amazing film to watch in this comic book sub-genre of films. The action hits early in the film and often throughout the film. The film also features impressive acting, and a truly wonderful score. While it seems the general opinion is that this is one of the worst of the MCU Phase One films, I personally have it as the best of the lot. No matter where you stand, I think the general audience will get some enjoyment out of watching it at least once.
9/10
I will be back to Review the next MCU film in the series, Iron Man 2.