Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Planet Hulk Blu-ray Movie Review

Does anyone think Ridley Scott would consider casting Hulk in Gladiator II?

Reviewed by Dustin Somner February 12, 2010

Planet Hulk is the latest entry in the Marvel animated film library, and the third consecutive title with a heavy focus on the ominous green superhero. Starting with Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, the writers began testing the waters with viewers, hoping to land on a character capable of turning around what had been considered (up to that point) a fairly generic film series. Thankfully, the Hulk’s presence during a pivotal stretch of the film enhanced the value of the youth-focused feature, and warranted a production based solely on Bruce Banner’s alter-ego. I doubt anyone expected Hulk Vs. to turn out as raw and appealing as it did, opening the door for further adventures in destructive fun. Not surprisingly, Marvel jumped on the wave of positive reviews, and began an adaptation of one of the greatest Hulk storylines in the Avenger universe. Creative license aside, the results are everything I’d hoped for, and demonstrate Marvel’s continued efforts in listening to what their fans want from straight-to-video productions.

Following a string of destructive incidents on Earth, the Avengers deceive Hulk and send him on a one-way trip to a distant uninhabited planet. Vowing revenge, the banished superhero soon discovers his shuttle has passed through a wormhole, and is currently on a collision course with the planet Sakaar. Upon arrival, he’s taken captive by a pink skinned race, and imprisoned with a variety of slaves who quickly offer up their own unique history. Forced into a series of gladiatorial contests for the pink-skinned emperor’s entertainment, the group of warriors gain recognition for their longevity in the arena, with Hulk singled out as the audience favorite. This doesn’t bother the emperor initially, but his female lieutenant shows concern over Hulk’s growing influence, and advises against letting the charade continue. With her concerns brushed aside, she takes matters into her own hands, and soon reveals the tragic history of her race, as well as the reasoning for her protective nature over the emperor. Hulk remains focused on biding his time until he can escape the clutches of the emperor, which eventually leads to a fantastic battle with another hero from the Marvel universe (not the one from the comics, but still a welcomed addition). This battle touches off a series of events that uncover a long-hidden secret regarding one character’s past, and threaten to destroy all life on the barren planet of Sakaar.

If you’re looking for a faithful adaptation of the Planet Hulk comic series, this isn’t it. However, I found zero complaints with the manner in which the story was modified and consolidated to fit within the time constraints of 81 minutes. The major change in this version involves the disappearance of the Silver Surfer from a key scene, and his replacement with Beta Ray Bill (an alien who originally appeared in the Thor universe, and wields similar powers). I’ve heard some rumblings of Silver Surfer’s absence representing a deal-breaker to some fans of the comic, but I’d simply offer a humble opinion that you give Beta Ray Bill a shot, and focus more on what we’re given (rather than what could have been). There are surely worse directions they could have taken the character, and the viciousness of the showdown is still intact.

Getting down to the nuts and bolts of the production, Planet Hulk is the perfect marriage of two elements. Witnessing the Hulk snatch a gladiator sword and enter the arena with the sole purpose of destroying his opponent is a welcomed change from the typical storyline involving “Banner versus the green monster”. In this iteration, Banner remains absent throughout the duration, and Hulk displays a profound attraction to violence. He still places his freedom above the joy of smashing heads and ripping opponents apart, but it’s fantastic to see him let loose from the conflicted traits of David Banner.

With the past two Marvel animated features, I finally get the feeling the writing staff is developing a level of comfort in delivering violence. In the supplemental featurette on the background of this entry in the series, one of the producers discusses Marvel’s attempt to push the limits of the animated films, and incorporate elements not possible in television productions or live-action films. The setting and characters of Planet Hulk succeed at incorporate complexities not possible in the live-action realm (let’s forget Avatar for a moment), effectively ratcheting up the sense of escapism in the foreign world. Getting back to the violence, there are several scenes where it becomes abundantly clear this is no Saturday morning cartoon. I suppose the lack of humans allows a little more leverage in the killing department, but parents should still be cautioned against showing this to a child who’s just being weaned off ‘Dora the Explorer’.

Alas, Planet Hulk is not a perfect film, and I’d be doing you a great disservice if I merely glossed over the shortcomings. First, despite ratcheting up the level of violence, I was a bit disappointed by the extensive use of robotic opponents in the gladiator ring. As long as you’re going to include PG-13 violence, why not go all out and present more of the rousing gladiator contests with actual consequences. Second, the brief runtime does serve as a hindrance to the epic possibilities of the story. I’m not suggesting the film should have been a monumental three hour production (though that would have been nice), but merely pointing out the limitations in character development that accompany the brisk pace. Lastly, I know I should stop harping on the Marvel projects for the animation quality, but I’d like to see them take full advantage of the artistic talent at their disposal. I know the films will never look as good as a panel of the original comic, but I’d expected a dramatic increase in the animation quality of these films over the past several years. These are all minor problems in a largely proficient release, but still worth pointing out to anyone considering a purchase.

Planet Hulk Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in 1080p utilizing the AVC codec (at an average bitrate of 19Mbps), Planet Hulk is an above-average animated offering which rarely disappoints. Detail remains strong throughout the majority of the feature, despite some interesting animation choices in the source material (such as zoomed shots that reveal an unattractive degree of haziness before pulling back to a sharp wide angle view). Looking at lines in the foreground or artwork in the background, I had a difficult time finding even the slightest degree of stairstepping or instability. Adding to the richness of the visuals, the color palette consists of bold hues that maintain consistency from scene to scene and avoid the usual tendency of banding within subtle transitions. Furthering the depth of the image, black levels never venture into gray territory, allowing contrast adequate room to breathe. All in all, this is a strong presentation that seemingly reflects an accurate representation of the source material (which does contain some minor flaws).

Planet Hulk Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Get ready for a smashing audio presentation. If there's one thing I adore about these Marvel animated films, it's the continued dedication to providing a lossless 7.1 audio track. From the clash of blades, to the sound of Hulk's monstrous hand hitting the meaty cheek of Beta Ray Bill, every effect is reproduced with excellent clarity and realistic tone, deepening the impact of the on-screen violence. Likewise, the use of the surround field is extremely dynamic, as effects dance across the rear sound field and fully immerse the viewer in the environment of the arena. Two of the most profound scenes in the film depict the release of tiny flying creatures that land on victims with dire consequences. During those scenes, you'll notice the sound of the projectiles sent to every speaker in the room, but in order to fully appreciate the precision of the track, listen for the individual effects as they take turns in the collective mix. What you'll notice isn't just a unison recording of identical effects, but rather a unique spread that takes full advantage of the immersive capabilities within a home theater. These proficiencies wouldn't be possible without precise balance between various elements in the mix, which is never a concern on this production. If you consider yourself an audiophile, this is well worth your time.

Planet Hulk Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Feature-Length Audio Commentaries: The first audio commentary features producer Joshua Fine and writer Greg Johnson, as they discuss the adaptation of the original comic series into a film version. The track is quite informative for anyone without knowledge of the comic, and entertaining for curious fans who'd like more information on why certain changes were made. The second audio commentary features director Sam Liu, character designer Philip Bourassa, and background designer Steve Nicodemus. I made it about halfway through this commentary and eventually lost interest, so I'd recommend you stick with the first one.

A Whole World of Hurt: The Making of Planet Hulk (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 21:43 min): This production featurette goes behind the scenes with the writers, artists, and producers as they discuss almost every aspect of the film creation, including the difficulties with turning the original (lengthy) comic series into an 80 minute feature film. Anyone upset with the disappearance of Silver Surfer from a key sequence in the plotline should find at least a degree of comfort in knowing he was replaced due to legal ramifications.

Let the Smashing Commence! The Saga of Planet Hulk (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 11:27 min): Writer Greg Pak and artist Aaron Lopresti delve into the history of the "Planet Hulk" story arch, and the creative process behind their collaborative effort.

Opening Sequence: Thor: Tales of Asgard (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 6:14 min): I have to admit, this peek at the upcoming fantasy-based entry in the Marvel film series had me salivating (unfortunately, it's not scheduled for release until 2011).

Wolverine and the X-Men: "Wolverine vs. Hulk" Episode (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 21:51 min): Taking a cue from the showdown in Hulk Vs., this full-length television episode might seem an odd inclusion with the Planet Hulk feature, but it's an enjoyable inclusion nonetheless.

Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D. Motion Comic (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 10:20 min): The dark film-noir feel of this motion comic offers a wonderful sense of style, but it's a shame we're merely given a taste of what's to come.

Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Motion Comic (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 14:11 min): Written by Joss Whedon, this motion comic presents chapter one of the intimate comic series.

"Watch Your Step" Spider-Woman Music Video (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 3:09 min): The electronica-themed title song from the Spider-Woman motion comic is given the music video treatment with visuals from the series.

"Rise Up"-Astonishing X-Men Music Video (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 2:40 min): This hip-hop infused title song is played in music video form with clips from the X-Men motion comic series playing.

Rounding out the extras, we have a glorified commercial for several online Hulk games, a trailer for the Ultimate Alliance 2 video game, and film trailers for other Lionsgate animated films.

Planet Hulk Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you enjoyed Hulk Vs., I'm confident Planet Hulk is right up your alley. The setting is fantastic, the story engaging, and the action intense. From a technical standpoint, this is a solid Blu-ray offering, with competent visuals, a rousing audio track, and a surprisingly robust collection of value-added supplements. Don't hesitate to jump on a copy of Planet Hulk, and keep your fingers crossed for a future adaptation of 'World War Hulk'.