Rank - 22/23 || The Incredible Hulk

Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth
Director: Louis Leterrier

The Incredible Hulk is the unloved child in the family. The one whose existence cannot be wished away, even though the thought has crossed the parents' minds. Which is not so fair.

I prefer to look at it with What if… glasses. Both Iron Man and Incredible Hulk were in production at the same time. If this was the movie that was released first – not a stretch as Hulk was definitely more popular than Iron Man when 2008 started – would the Marvel juggernaut not have happened?

Strangely enough, Incredible Hulk eschews an elaborate origin story. Instead, the opening credit sequences give you the background. Though I am sceptical as to how much someone who didn’t know the story would understand. But then again, those were simpler times – if you had no interest in comics, you definitely wouldn’t go for a comic book movie. 

This movie continues from where Ang Lee’s Hulk ended – South America. I am not going to start the discussion as to whether that is the first MCU movie. After a brief interlude in Brazil, Bruce Banner (Norton) comes back to the state to get a cure for his condition. He connects with his former flame Betty Ross (Tyler). But his bete noire, General Ross (Hurt) is not too far behind. He takes the services of Emil Blonsky (Roth) and they prepare to take down the Hulk.

This was back when Ed Norton was a big shot to be reckoned with. The stories of how he prompted re-writes and re-shoots might have been true. But he never inhabits the role, the way Ruffalo did later. Benefit of hindsight, I guess. The supporting characters, despite being played by capable actors, are not likely to remain with you long.

The Incredible Hulk is not boring. It just does not soar. Later MCU movies perfected the wow factor, here it is rarely present. The Marvel method of getting a very similar villain as a foil to the hero continues with the Abomination. The visual effects were not bad for their time, but they have dated. Unfortunately, the movie seems to be held down by its lack of ambition. It only reiterates the unfortunate truism: too much of Hulk is not a good thing.

Stan Lee cameo: Thirsty Stan takes a swig. Something that played for laughs despite being a pivotal plot point. 

Post-credits scene: I remembered the scene for long. I thought it silly. Tony Stark may know General Ross, but why would he discuss the team-up with him, of all the people? However, upon watching the movie again, I realised in the context of how the movie ended, this was extremely possible.