The Incredible Hulk still holds up for me. I think (like Iron Man) it definitely has some third act problems and looking back you could also say that it’s because of underdeveloped elements in the first two thirds. Tim Blake Nelson is game as Dr. Sterns (who would have probably been the villain Leader if we ever got a sequel) but he’s vastly underdeveloped and we have to rely on the mad scientist trope and some bits of dialogue to understand his character. The same goes with Tim Roth as Blonksy/Abomination. We get a few lines about a yearning for youth and power and that’s supposed to be enough. I can understand what they were going for but both definitely leave more to be desired in their final products.
The ending is certainly a “must go out with a big monster fight battle” but it still works in an almost schlocky way. Again, like Iron Man, the interesting antagonist from the first half of the film falls into typical super villain territory. Being evil for evil’s sake and causing mass destruction while spouting off lines from old Saturday cartoon shows. You have actors with real ability. Don’t be afraid to use them more!
What did work for me: I loved the opening act in Brazil. Not only does it slyly wink at the end of Hulk (2003) but it shows us everything we need to know about Bruce Banner. It’s a great juxtaposition to Tony Stark. Banner is on the run, living off the grid, having to keep every impulse of his in check and wracked with guilt from when he cannot. Compare that to Stark, who has a total lack of impulse control and is free to do whatever he wants. Their journeys have a rear inverse quality to them. Stark learns that his actions have ripple effects and works to mitigate the cost to others. Meanwhile Banner learns that by cutting himself off, he may only be delaying the inevitable. It’s only when he reconnects with Betty that he learns it is possible to control (or aim) the Hulk. That he’s still in there. He shouldn’t be afraid to lose control.
Speaking of Betty, I know a few people here have called it out negatively, but, for me, the Bruce/Betty relationship feels very real. Their chemistry flies off the screen and fills in their history without us being told what it is. There could have been a lot of exposition but this film is strong is showing and not telling. Her pleas to her father and Bruce resonate emotionally. Standing in front of that tank, screaming “Dad!”, you feel the pain of betrayal and anguish.
I don’t want to ramble on too much but all in all I think this is still a stronger entry in the MCU. Not one of the greats but definitely worth seeing and better than the standard by the numbers initial entries we’ll start to get. I’m going to give it a 7/10. I think it’s about a 6.5+ so I’ll round up.
Current rankings (best to worst):
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
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