The Incredible Hulk (2008)
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A scientist transformed into a monstrous creature by gamma radiation must go on the run from the military while attempting to cure himself.
The story
After being exposed to high levels of gamma radiation during a military experiment, Dr. Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk, a monstrous creature that emerges whenever he is enraged or his heart rate rises. Now a fugitive, Banner is hunted by General Thaddeus Ross, who seeks to weaponize the Hulk's power for a 'super soldier' program. While attempting to find a cure for his condition, Banner must evade military forces and navigate the dangers of his own volatile transformation while trying to keep his condition a secret from the public and the military.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
During a military experiment to create super soldiers, Bruce Banner is exposed to gamma radiation and transforms into the Hulk. He becomes a fugitive from General Thaddeus Ross, who wants to weaponize him. Five years later, Banner lives in Brazil, trying to control his condition while collaborating with an online contact, 'Mr. Blue'. After a series of events leads to his exposure, he is hunted by a special forces team led by Emil Blonsky. Blonsky is eventually injected with a serum and transforms into the Abomination. Banner reunites with his former girlfriend, Betty Ross, and they flee together. They seek out Dr. Samuel Sterns, who has developed a potential antidote. However, the antidote's potential for mass production leads to a confrontation. Blonsky and Ross's forces seize Banner and Betty, while Blonsky allows Sterns to be exposed to the serum, turning him into 'The Leader'. Realizing the Hulk is the only one who can stop the Abomination, Banner is released by Ross to fight the creature in New York City. After defeating the Abomination, Banner flees, and the film ends with him practicing control over his transformation in British Columbia.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 112
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Louis Leterrier
- Writers
- Zak Penn · writer
- Cast and characters
- Edward Norton · Bruce Banner; Liv Tyler · Betty Ross; Tim Roth · Emil Blonsky / Abomination; William Hurt · Thaddeus Ross; Tim Blake Nelson · Samuel Sterns; Ty Burrell · Leonard Samson; Christina Cabot · Kathleen Sparr
- Genres
- superhero; action
- Themes
- identity; self-control; humanity vs. monstrosity
- Tone and mood
- dark; action-packed
- Setting
- Various locations including Virginia, Rio de Janeiro, New York City, and British Columbia in the modern era.
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; reboot; sci-fi
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Reception
- The film was a moderate success that received slightly better reviews than the 2003 film, though it was considered a commercial failure compared to its high expectations.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 61 · scale: 100 · review count: 38
- Production trivia
- The film was the first blockbuster to receive the Environmental Media Association's Green Seal.; Robert Downey Jr. makes an uncredited cameo as Tony Stark.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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