I just got finished watching Planet Hulk a few hours ago and I couldn't wait to write this review! Planet Hulk has many things going for it that other Marvel animated films did not. It is actually based on a particular comic unlike Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange, or Next Avengers. Also the source material is chock full of plot goodies. Unfortunatley, not all of it could be integrated into the movie. But for the first time ever in animated history, Marvel gives us an intelligent Hulk! Not Einstein intelligent but smart enough to talk more than just two words. He broods just about as much as he fights. And Hulk doesn't just fight, Hulk SMASHES!!!
The animation is different from all of the other Marvel Animated Features. At first glance, the art work could be described as cartoony. The other films had a crisp realistic anime feel to them. While Planet Hulk has that American anime design, it looks more in line with Ben 10 than Doctor Strange.
But the world of Sakaar is brought to vibrant life with the great use of contrasting colors. The forces behind this movie stated that they wanted Sakaar to have this rugged desert feel to it and I must say that they have succeeded.
The opening title sequence also deserves mentioning. They did a superb job in constructing the computer generated credits. From the native cave drawings, to the chains breaking, to Hulk's blood washing over the ground it truly was astounding.
For those not already initiated into the premise of Planet Hulk, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? But seriously, a secret cabal of heroes known as the Illuminati (including Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Mister Fantastic) deem the Hulk too dangerous for the people of Earth. And so, like any free thinking super powered American, the Illuminati decide to jettison the Hulk off into space.
After a navigation malfunction caused by the Green Goliath, the shuttle crash lands on the unforgiving planet known as Sakaar. There Hulk is captured by the Imperials (Red Skinned) and sold into slavery as a gladiator. There he makes a pact with fellow gladiators and forms the Warbound. They then plot to escape and overthrow the manipulative Imperial despot aka the Red King.
*SPOILER*
As an adaptation, this film follows the comic from which it was based very closely. Having read Planet Hulk prior to viewing this movie, I am a little biased over some of the plot decisions that were made. The most obvious is the exclusion of the Silver Surfer. Because of legal reasons, the big SS couldn't make an appearance. But that doesn't mean there wasn't a replacement.
Beta Ray Bill is finally in the limelight after more than two decades. His presence actually makes more sense plotwise even though it kind of does mess with Thor's first issue. The loss of NoName, the Brood sister, was barely noticeable.
But my biggest qualm isn't with Beta Ray Bill and the Silver Surfer. It was how the film makers handled Miek and the Spikes. In the graphic novel, Miek's devlopment is much more profound. He is mentored by Hulk (sort of) and learns how to never stop fighting. He also meets the last native queen and morphs into her king. Miek started out as a feeble "hider" but wound up an unrelenting fighter. This would set him on the path that would lead to World War Hulk. Instead, he just learns to be a fighter. End of story.
The Spikes on the other hand weren't explained at all. There was a flashback showing how they infected people and turned them into spiked zombies. But not where they came from and not why the Spikes came to Sakaar. They were just weapons used by the Red King. For a film as short as this, I knew going in that there wouldn't be enought time or budget to include every bit of the complex story arc that is Planet Hulk. I just wish that these two intricate arcs played a bigger part.
I did enjoy the fight scenes but did feel that the way that two of the natives died in the first gladiator fight was a bit much. Especially the one whose head exploded. But the change I liked the most was the death of the Red King. After Hulk defeats him in battle, the Jolly Green Giant allows Caiera to finish him. She infects him with a Spike. You can guess what happens.
*END SPOILER*
Planet Hulk did give some above average performances. I have been and always will be a fan of Fred Tatasciore as Hulk. But Rick Wasserman did the fans justice by giving us the intelligent Hulk. He sounded like he was holding back a LOT of anger. I'd never want to be near him when he lets loose! On a side note, Miek didn't really sound LIKE Gollum. From early reviews on a bunch of sites, I was expecting lots of hissing, hacking, and spitting. This was not the case. He was whiney, sure. But he didn't have the dementia of Gollum!
The Special Features for this film are as follows:
1) A Whole World of Hurt: The Making of Planet Hulk
2) Let the Smashing Commence! The Saga of Planet Hulk
3) Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer Josua Fine and Screenwriter Greg Johnson
4) Audio Commentary by Director Sam Liu, Character Designer Philip Bourassa, and Key Background Painter Steve Nicodemus
5) Opening Sequence- Thor: Tales of Asgard
6) Wolverine and the X-men- "Wolverine vs. Hulk" Episode
7) Spider-woman: Agent of SWORD Motion Comic
8) Astonishing X-men: Gifted Motion Comic
9) "Watch Your Step" Spider-woman Music Video
10) "Rise Up" Astonishing X-men Music Video
And to those of you who pick up the Target exclusive, a digital comic of Hulk #92 on CD-ROM!
The featurettes are about forty minutes long and not half bad. They talk about the development of both the comic and the film! Haven't watched or listened to the commentaries yet, but I figure I'll get to them eventually. The Wolverine and the X-men episode was pretty good. Despite the fact that the cartoon is aimed at younger viewersand the violence is toned down. Cameo appearance by Nick Fury was most welcoming.
The rest of the features showcase other parts of the Marvel Universe. I'm gonna watch the motion comics later and I found the music videos most engaging. At least they had a beat to them. And I can't even begin on the Tales of Asgard sequence seeing as how it has already shown up here on CBM. So I don't have to go on about how much I can't wait to see it!
Overall, I found Planet Hulk to be Marvel's best animated film yet. It can give any DC movie a run for it's money. I just hope that Marvel can keep getting better. And maybe we'll see some WorldBreaking in a sequel titled World War Hulk!
Animation: 8/10
Perfromances: 7/10
Adaptation: 9/10
Features: 8/10
Total: 8/10
Wadey OUT!