The Most Incredible Movie of the Summer so Far!!!

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2008)

I am not going to lie, I really was not that excited for this film when it was first announced, simply because the last time the Hulk made it to the big screen it was such a disappointment. Ang Lee's Hulk film from 2003 was a poor adaptation of one of my favorite comic book heroes. I have always loved the comics, but felt that the film didn't do the character justice, where as this new Hulk film, which is a reboot of the Hulk franchise, finally took advantage of the Hulk franchise and delivers an adaptation that is both truthful to the comics and entertaining at the same time.
Within the Incredible Hulk, we get a story that is more in keeping with that of the original comics from the '60s, and it also has a lot in kin with the T.V. Show from the '70s as well. The story begins in Brazil where we meet Dr. Bruce Banner, who has already been infected by the Gamma Rays which make him become the Hulk when he becomes angry. Here in Brazil, Banner is trying to discover a formula to cure him of his big green menace, as well he is undergoing treatment sessions to try and understand a way to control his anger. Banner is currently marked as a fugitive from the United States, and is constantly hunted by the military. All of this is familiar territory to anyone who liked the old television series, or the original comics. Of course the story really doesn't punch into high gear until Banner must return to the U.S. in order to meet a scientist who claims he can help Bruce to possibly find a cure for his problem. Once Bruce returns to his home country, he reunites with his love interest Betty Ross, and together the two try to thwart the ever persistent government and get to New York to meet the scientist who wishes to help Banner.
I will be very truthful here, this is my favorite film of the summer so far, and in retrospect it might just very well be my favorite film of the year thus far. As a fan of the comic I am a little bit biased, as I always am with comic book movies, but this one really is a great film. Now this film is by no means going to be an Oscar contender next year, except maybe for Special Effects, but it is by far the most fun I have had at the movies in a long time. What this film delivers is a Hulk film with tons of action and explosions, that has a terrific story to go along with it, but it also is able to finally deliver audiences a Hulk story that allows the Hulk to be a hero, and not just a guy who destroys stuff when he gets angry.
As previously mentioned, the story is terrific, with a terrific script that obviously benefited with Edward Norton's help, especially when it comes to the tight dialogue. As well the directing by Louis Leterrier was really great for this particular type of popcorn movie, successfully delivering both the great action of the story and the more intimate dramatic sequences to the audience. Then the acting was really superb as well, in particular Edward Norton as Banner and Liv Tyler as Betty, both of whom clearly have real chemistry and work really well together on screen. After that it is just a role call of well executed production values, nothing was really that weak; but the one other production value that truly stands out is the Special Effects. The CGI is some of the best that I have seen in a long time, it would definitely be a shame if this film doesn't receive an Oscar nod for it Effects.
Overall the Incredible Hulk is an amazing film that definitely lives up to its Incredible title. The action is amazing, each action sequence among some of the best I have seen in a while; in particular the final fight scene between the Hulk and the Abomination, which has gone down in my books as one of the finest superhero vs. super villain fights in movie history, and the fight literally, I am not exaggerating, goes on for close to 10-15 minutes. After seeing it I can see why many critics don't like it for it focusing more on action and spectacle than its 2003 predecessor, but what it does deliver is a crowd pleasing Hulk film that is sure to please both audiences and die hard comic book fans alike. I can not wait for a sequel, I am definitely hoping it makes enough money at the box office to allow it.
I give the Incredible Hulk an Incredible 10 out of 10!