Iconic Superhero Movie Hidden From Streaming, Disney Doesn’t Want You To Watch It
Written by Robert Scucci | Published
Listen, I’m not the most reliable source when it comes to comic book movies, but I’ve seen most of them despite my lack of knowledge about the source material that inspired them. I once watched 34 MCU movies in just a few weeks trying to get up the courage after I said I love the Fast and Furious movies but hate the Marvel movies, which led to a long conversation about how I should love them because they are the same thing. Letting my pride get the better of me, I watched every movie that had been released up to that point, and it was okay. I won’t do it again, but I think I get the idea now.
All those journeys eventually led me to 2003 Hulkwhich can set you back years because it is only available through highly sought-after purchases. While I don’t have clear evidence as to why it’s not available on a streaming service without a lease, I’m inclined to believe it has to do with Disney’s hold over all things Marvel related. Or maybe there is no need for it. Either way, the point remains that you have to drop the money to watch it, which is probably for the better, because this movie made some really weird decisions for me.
Decisions were made
If you are reading this article for a full summary on all things Hulk related, sorry to disappoint. What I’m here to talk about is exactly how much better the MCU handled the story as a whole. We all know that Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) turns blue and green when he’s angry, and that General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Sam Elliott) has a difficult history with Bruce’s father, David Banner (Nick Nolte). That history forces Ross to step in after a series of unauthorized experiments lead to Bruce’s transformation.
Collateral damage is inevitable. Bruce is in love with Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly), the general’s daughter, and Ross repeatedly threatens to lock her up for “the rest of her natural life.” This is said several times throughout the film, though there’s nothing natural about any of it, making that repetitive line make no sense at all.
I’m not a tight and flights guy. I haven’t seen the new DCUs yet Superman. I left the MCU after that Miraclesand I will only come back if we get more Deadpool and Wolverine action at some point. With that choice reinforced, I’m here to extend an olive branch and explain why in 2003 Hulk it is lighter compared to 2008 The Incredible Hulk.
The Hulk’s The biggest problem is walking. We get the backstory of David Banner and Thunderbolt. We learn about Bruce Banner’s repressed memories and identity issues. We deal with all the usual junk science that explains how you become Hulkand explosions and jolts of the senses increased by it all. The movie runs 138 minutes, and we don’t even get to see Hulk do Hulk stuff until over 40 minutes in.
The film tries to work as an origin story and its sequels at the same time, while trying to appeal to mainstream viewers and comic book fans at the same time. That’s a tall order, and it never works.
The MCU, on the other hand, does a much better job of world-building. There are independent origin films as well The Man of Steel, The Incredible Hulk, Thoragain Captain America: The First Avenger. All these buildings are facing the beginning They don’t take revenge movie, which arrived in 2012. Every Avengers movie hits hard because we don’t need arcane origin stories anymore. They have happened. In other words, we get the Avengers doing Avengers things because we already know. Hulk it tries to do too much at once and, in my mind, was doomed from the start to never be a fully satisfying film.
Comic Book Panels Get Ridiculous
One thing that completely threw me off Hulk it was a free use of image overlay. Director Ang Lee was obviously going for the look of a comic book panel, showing multiple episodes at once in one frame, but honestly it’s like the kind of amateur editing I do when I cut podcast episodes.
There is a scene that shows Nick Nolte’s face in one frame and his foot in another, so we know his foot is pointing at something. I understand what they were trying to do, but I’m still confused by the execution. It’s an unpleasant visual experience that feels less like a style choice and more like a PowerPoint presentation left on autoplay.
While Hulk it has its charm in its cheap form, I much prefer the MCU version because it’s part of a bigger plan that ultimately leads to a more satisfying payoff. As an independent film, Hulk it doesn’t have what it takes to be all it wants. That said, it’s still an interesting watch if you’re trying to check another Marvel movie off your list.
As of this writing, you can buy Hulk on demand via YouTube, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.
