I really, really like the Hulk. I grew up on the Bixby/Ferrigno series. I collected the comics. I watched the cartoons. Hell, I even think I had the underoos. Despite all of this, "Planet Hulk" left me feeling extremely disappointed and highly doubtful about Marvel's overall strategy for their DTV line. But first, here's what I liked.
The story had respect for its audience and didn't hold any punches when it came to the violence. When beings made of solid rock got their hands on creatures that weren't, bodies were pulverized. People who were felled with bladed weaponry actually bled out and died. The Hulk even got a hole punched in his chest, which is always cool to see. All of this culminated in us seeing a child burning to ash in a woman's arms—really heavy stuff that pushed the boundaries of a PG-13 rating.
Thankfully, all of this bloodshed was beautifully rendered by Studio Madhouse. As a fan of animation, I can't ask for anything more than a production to be detailed and move fluidly. And, in this, "Planet Hulk" delivered in abundance. I especially noticed this during the two scenes involving the Spikes. The way those creatures were drawn and the way those things were animated rivaled anything H.R. Geiger has ever put out.
Lastly, I liked the running time. Be it D.C., Marvel, or Dark Horse, animated DTV's tend to run from 60 to 75 minutes. This one was 80. Now a five minute difference may not seem like much. But, to me, it's a major step towards approaching proper feature film length. If the majority of the viewing public is ever to take these projects seriously, they need to measure up to live action films in length. Yet, there was one thing one major thing about "Planet Hulk" that left a bad taste in my mouth.
I didn't much care for the Hulk. I realize this is based off a 2006 comic storyline, but this isn't a comic book. This is a movie that has to appeal to a larger base than the fans who follow a title from month to month and year to year. And this wasn't the version of this character to do it—at least not for a Hulk fan like me.
The iconic version of the Hulk is nothing more than Bruce Banner's reaction to danger. He comes out, smashes the threat into grease, and then, once the coast is clear, turns back to Banner. Yet, in "Planet Hulk", comicdom's other famous Bruce is nowhere to be seen. And, to find out why, you have to watch the film with the commentary track. Now, while I thought the explanation was solid, it should've been covered in the film. No, this wasn't the only omission.
The iconic version of the Hulk has the mindset of a child. When he talks, he utters simple phrases like "Hulk smash" or "leave Hulk alone". Yet, here he throws out a few complex sentences like "walk out that door and you're all going to die" and "good, now I know who to smash". Worse, this film gives him the capacity for abstract thought. One instance is when, instead of attacking the immediate threats, he waits until the guy calling the shots is revealed. Much, much worse, it's never covered directly in the story or indirectly in the supporting materials why or what has increased his intelligence. And no, I'm not done detailing what was left out.
What the hell is an Old Strong? In this film there's a woman who, while no larger than a normal human, is just as strong as the Jade Jaws. The only explanation given for this is that she's an Old Strong—for whatever the hell good that does.
Then there's the lack of dramatic tension. The Red King, the major baddie, doesn't want the Hulk subdued, captured, or bent to his will—he wants him to be executed. Well, simply put, you can't kill the Hulk. I've seen his head chopped open by helicopter blades, his middle run through with a two foot thick shard of rock, and his body reduced to little more than a skeleton. He usually makes a full recovery before the page is up. The recent movies have also put this unequaled healing factor on display as well. So when the Red King wants the Hulk to be killed, it doesn't up the ante. It doesn't add to the suspense. It just makes the major antagonist seem inordinately delusional.
"Planet Hulk" feels more like a cut and paste job than a true film. In this case, Marvel Films cut out the Hulk and pasted him onto a scenario which could best be described as Spartacus in Space. However, they took a version of their character most will not be familiar with that doesn't really have any longevity. Then the creative team failed to explain the numerous changes to the Hulk's status quo from his more iconic depiction. I wanted to like this movie, and planned on buying it. However, now that I've seen it in all of its lackluster glory, my money will go towards something else.
Oh, and on an aside, regarding the upcoming "Tales of Asgard"—WTF. The fans of the Mighty Thor comics aren't going to want to see the Odinson as a teenager trying to find his way. The more casual fans, who may not be as familiar with the character, definitely won't. In both cases, they'll want to see the helmet, the cape, and, without doubt, the hammer that serves as his trademark. If Marvel Films can't figure that out, then maybe they should leave the DTV market to D.C. and Dark Horse.
The story had respect for its audience and didn't hold any punches when it came to the violence. When beings made of solid rock got their hands on creatures that weren't, bodies were pulverized. People who were felled with bladed weaponry actually bled out and died. The Hulk even got a hole punched in his chest, which is always cool to see. All of this culminated in us seeing a child burning to ash in a woman's arms—really heavy stuff that pushed the boundaries of a PG-13 rating.
Thankfully, all of this bloodshed was beautifully rendered by Studio Madhouse. As a fan of animation, I can't ask for anything more than a production to be detailed and move fluidly. And, in this, "Planet Hulk" delivered in abundance. I especially noticed this during the two scenes involving the Spikes. The way those creatures were drawn and the way those things were animated rivaled anything H.R. Geiger has ever put out.
Lastly, I liked the running time. Be it D.C., Marvel, or Dark Horse, animated DTV's tend to run from 60 to 75 minutes. This one was 80. Now a five minute difference may not seem like much. But, to me, it's a major step towards approaching proper feature film length. If the majority of the viewing public is ever to take these projects seriously, they need to measure up to live action films in length. Yet, there was one thing one major thing about "Planet Hulk" that left a bad taste in my mouth.
I didn't much care for the Hulk. I realize this is based off a 2006 comic storyline, but this isn't a comic book. This is a movie that has to appeal to a larger base than the fans who follow a title from month to month and year to year. And this wasn't the version of this character to do it—at least not for a Hulk fan like me.
The iconic version of the Hulk is nothing more than Bruce Banner's reaction to danger. He comes out, smashes the threat into grease, and then, once the coast is clear, turns back to Banner. Yet, in "Planet Hulk", comicdom's other famous Bruce is nowhere to be seen. And, to find out why, you have to watch the film with the commentary track. Now, while I thought the explanation was solid, it should've been covered in the film. No, this wasn't the only omission.
The iconic version of the Hulk has the mindset of a child. When he talks, he utters simple phrases like "Hulk smash" or "leave Hulk alone". Yet, here he throws out a few complex sentences like "walk out that door and you're all going to die" and "good, now I know who to smash". Worse, this film gives him the capacity for abstract thought. One instance is when, instead of attacking the immediate threats, he waits until the guy calling the shots is revealed. Much, much worse, it's never covered directly in the story or indirectly in the supporting materials why or what has increased his intelligence. And no, I'm not done detailing what was left out.
What the hell is an Old Strong? In this film there's a woman who, while no larger than a normal human, is just as strong as the Jade Jaws. The only explanation given for this is that she's an Old Strong—for whatever the hell good that does.
Then there's the lack of dramatic tension. The Red King, the major baddie, doesn't want the Hulk subdued, captured, or bent to his will—he wants him to be executed. Well, simply put, you can't kill the Hulk. I've seen his head chopped open by helicopter blades, his middle run through with a two foot thick shard of rock, and his body reduced to little more than a skeleton. He usually makes a full recovery before the page is up. The recent movies have also put this unequaled healing factor on display as well. So when the Red King wants the Hulk to be killed, it doesn't up the ante. It doesn't add to the suspense. It just makes the major antagonist seem inordinately delusional.
"Planet Hulk" feels more like a cut and paste job than a true film. In this case, Marvel Films cut out the Hulk and pasted him onto a scenario which could best be described as Spartacus in Space. However, they took a version of their character most will not be familiar with that doesn't really have any longevity. Then the creative team failed to explain the numerous changes to the Hulk's status quo from his more iconic depiction. I wanted to like this movie, and planned on buying it. However, now that I've seen it in all of its lackluster glory, my money will go towards something else.
Oh, and on an aside, regarding the upcoming "Tales of Asgard"—WTF. The fans of the Mighty Thor comics aren't going to want to see the Odinson as a teenager trying to find his way. The more casual fans, who may not be as familiar with the character, definitely won't. In both cases, they'll want to see the helmet, the cape, and, without doubt, the hammer that serves as his trademark. If Marvel Films can't figure that out, then maybe they should leave the DTV market to D.C. and Dark Horse.