Nowadays it's forgotten but it's still worth checking out

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2016)

It's understandable why some might forget that the 2008 'reboot' of the 'Hulk' franchise is actually an MCU film, the second of Phase 1. First off, it was released the same year as 'Iron Man' and obviously didn't do as well as that film. But the main reason why the film isn't remembered much nowadays is because the film admittedly lacks much of a connection with the franchise now that Mark Ruffalo has taken over the role of Bruce Banner AKA 'The Hulk'. However, Edward Norton was a pretty good Banner prior to that. And whereas Ang Lee's 'Hulk' film was a bit too melodramatic, dark, and slow-paced, this film benefits from being more action-focused and a much lighter atmosphere. Sure that comes at the cost of the script (Norton and director Louis Leterrier were forced to cut a good chunk of scenes out (where's that director's cut?) under pressure not to be like the 2003 'Hulk') but with solid action sequences and an excellent lead performance, I do feel that 'The Incredible Hulk' is still a solid entry in the superhero genre. At the very least, I do prefer it over the 2003 'Hulk' film which, disclaimer, actually isn't 'that bad'.