Well, The Incredible Hulk Is Finally... Incredible

Rating: 1/10 (14 November 2015)

Finally, this is similar to what I call "The Batman Solution." Some people dislike this movie's lack of a superhero movie feeling, or for better analogy the feeling of a "Classic Hulk Movie," but that's really not what the Hulk's first outing should be about. It should have the same thematic journey as the comics, which of course this movie had as the comic makers made it this time. It's the same problem with Batman, they've never gotten his character right with the same flawless thematic formation as the comic version, instead creating their own version that's almost in name, action, and task only but essentially not Batman. The Hulk movies and shows ALL had this same problem, their version being Bruce is smart and Hulk is dumb and end of story, when it really is not that black and white and fundamentally not the Hulk. This movie finally got it right, and I think it will be better remembered in retrospect just because people aren't used to a Hulk movie that has as deep an insight into both the characters of the Hulk and Banner as this movie and were busy looking for an action movie, which the Hulk's first outing should not be and thankfully wasn't.
It starts out with Banner and the Hulk as rival forces, co-existing, Banner actually contradicting the superhero movie aesthetic and going on a journey to rid himself of his powers, not stop a villain. This chronicle perfectly mirrors the first Hulk arc ever in the comics, and it is essential to defining the chemistry between the Hulk and Banner. Banner hates the Hulk because he does not recognize he is the offspring of him and is his reflection so he only sees potential for destruction and hate and thus wants to kill this new life-form. The Hulk, although simple minded he's not stupid, hates Banner because he can only be angry and never happy or else Banner locks him up in his cage of Banner's inner mind again, never to be happy or safe when he's free, and also hating the fact Banner wants to kill him. Subtly, without realizing it, the audience roots for the Hulk because of this, feeling bad for him. But when we see in the final scenes that Bruce recognizes the Hulk can be used for good and thus form an uneasy respect for each other, their chemistry is taken to a new level of respect. Bruce can now control the Hulk for good, and thus in any future Hulk movies the Hulk can now go battle evil because Banner has a reason to do so, trusting the creature. This chemistry is incredible, and shouldn't be lost in a proper Hulk film.