Parents' Guide to

The Incredible Hulk

By James Rocchi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Bloodier action than other comic book adventures.

Movie PG-13 2008 114 minutes
The Incredible Hulk Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Mcegabby
Mcegabby Adult
February 21, 2021
age 13+

Decent movie

Decent movie with great graphics. The plot is a little confusing at times and I don’t think younger kids would be able to easily follow along. I think the scene at 1:02:00 is very unnecessary. Why put a physically explicit scene in a superhero movie?? The violence was probably the most graphic out of all of the Marvel movies, so be aware. There are also many swear words. I think 13+ or a mature 12 year old is ok. I recommend just skipping over the explicit scene entirely.

This title has:

Too much violence
fahimforid
fahimforid Adult
December 18, 2020
age 12+

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE INCREDIBLE HULK opens in mid-story, with scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) living in exile. Years ago, a medical experiment cursed him with a bizarre affliction -- when he's frightened or angry, he transforms into the Hulk, a nine-foot-tall green behemoth with limitless physical strength and a limited intellect. Banner's trying to cure his affliction; meanwhile, his old boss, Gen. Ross (William Hurt) wants to find Banner to analyze and recreate his abilities. But when Ross uses experimental medical technology on soldier Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), who also gets hold of Banner's irradiated blood, Blonsky becomes a creature so horrible that only the Hulk can stop him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21):
Kids say (112):

The Incredible Hulk has plenty of super heroic action, as well as a great sense of humor about its origins and roots. Ang Lee famously said that his arty, brooding 2003 take on the classic Marvel Comics character was an attempt "to make a delicacy out of American fast food." Apparently, the higher-ups at Marvel -- who self-financed this newer version -- figured they could make more money with a simple meat-and-potatoes action film, which is what director Louis Leterrier gives us. There's even romance between Banner and his long-lost love, Betty (Liv Tyler), a scientist who happens to be the daughter of his nemesis, General Ross. Add in Roth's bad guy, a military man so obsessed with stopping the Hulk that he turns himself into something worse, and you have all the standard-issue elements of the modern comic book action film.

And that's all you have. While there are plenty of operatic fight sequences and extraordinary special effects -- and Norton is effective as a super heroic variation on The Fugitive -- The Incredible Hulk never really takes any chances or truly delivers anything other than loud fistfights and visions of mass destruction. It doesn't have either the style and panache that made Iron Man stand out, or the vision and visual style that Christopher Nolan brought to Batman Begins. The Incredible Hulk is a fairly good summertime action film designed more to make money than a statement, and it's certainly competent and confident in the execution of those modest aims. There's plenty of room left for a sequel if it's a hit, but it's hard to say whether there's room for a so-so superhero at a box office increasingly crowded with comic-book heroes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about anger. Do your kids feel they have the equivalent of a green monster inside sometimes? Do they think that superheroes express human problems made really big?

  • Talk about Bruce Banner's struggle for control. What does he give up in order to be responsible? Can you think of any similar situations people might face in real life?

  • Another good discussion is about the popularity of comic book films. Why do your kids think there are so many of them? What's the appeal? How is this movie different from the previous 2003 version? And how is it different from movies like Iron Man and Batman Begins?

Movie Details

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