Can a Hulk Solo Movie Work?

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2018)

After with the surprise blockbuster hit of Iron Man, it was only natural that Marvel would team with Universal to make the next installment of their universe based on a more popular character, the Hulk. But it received mixed reviews at the time, but is it really just okay?
Though this wasn't the first movie based on the character. 2003's Hulk directed by Ang Lee and starring Eric Bana was mostly hated for being boring. So this was a reboot of the franchise, within the MCU.
The cast is excellent. Edward Nortan makes a great Bruce Banner, and plays the duality of Banner and Hulk well, though not as good as Ruffalo later on. Liv Tyler is perfectly acceptable as Betty Ross. William Hurt is great as Thunderbolt Ross, and you believe in his cause against Banner. Finally Tim Roth does a good job with what he's given, though he's much more entertaining as a person then he is as the Abomination. Sterns and the RDJ cameo are also highlights.
The script is decent, it captures all the main ideas that you want in a Hulk movie. Banner on the run from military, the duality of the characters, Hulk smashes things, it's great. But it suffers the "villain who suddenly goes crazy" syndrome. Though, it does have a rushed explanation, with the super soldier serum driving him nuts.
The visual effects are okay. It's always fun to watch Hulk smash tanks and other gamma monsters. I don't love the design of the Hulk, the main reason is that he doesn't look like Edward Norton, and the Hulk should look like Banner.
In conclusion, I like the Incredible Hulk, but it's not one of the best MCU movies. It's entertaining, and the cast is great, but the writing and effects could be a lot better.
7/10