प्लैनेट हल्क

How I long for a world where this could be live action. A world where Hulk films could get Avatar style budgets and returns. It would be so beautiful. Until that day, I can enjoy the wonderful Marvel Animated films. This is certainly one of their best. It sees the Hulk sent into space and finding his place in the world (another world). We are treated to classic gladiator battles, some excellent supporting characters, and a final battle that doesn't disappoint. It's running time keeps it engaging and fast, mixing the Hulk SMASH! with a little bit of character development. We also get to see Beta Ray Bill being ass kickingly awesome. Overall, a great comic cartoon film with loads of action and wickedness.

Instead of opting for a 6-hour mini-series that fully explores the dense Planet Hulk story we get an 80-minute no-frills interpretation. It's good, but it could have been amazing.

Bruce Banner is gone, and this is not his story. All that remains is the Hulk. The Illuminati banish him from Earth as his rage causes too much destruction. The ship is sucked into a wormhole and transports Hulk to the other side of the Universe to the planet Sakaar. As he emerges from the wreckage he is enslaved (temporarily weakened by the wormhole) and thrown into a Gladiator contest with other slaves. Not taking too kindly to such treatment Hulk strikes back and kickstarts a revolution which will change the whole planet.

A lot of good stuff has been cut out. But on the upside the ending is much better and more upbeat. I just can't help but mourn what could have been though. The Planet Hulk story is truly epic, and to strip it down to the bone doesn't make much sense to me.

This story of the Hulk is the best I have come across even as a comic book collector. It would be a dream come true if you could have Frank Miller take this on with real actors, this could be one of the best comic book to movie adaptions ever. I think there could be a lot more dialogue and more character connections + portrayal combinated with real (non-computer animated) actors playing the parts of all the characters. Maybe even use a Mr. Olympia (Jay Cutler,Ronnie Coleman) or someone who is an actual human Hulk and give a real feel to the character unlike the other real life Hulk movies that have been put out (CRAP) They pulled it off on the Hulk TV show it gave a way better feel to watch a crappy actor like Lou Ferrigno play the part rather than a computer animated version. It's an easy enough role that almost anyone can pull it off if you look the part.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger can play a kick ass Conan character, then I'm sure there are some HUGE meat heads that could pull it off well...it's all about the director! FRANK MILLER...MAKE PLANET HULK!

In recent years, the animated straight to video market has done much to rid itself of the stigma that "Direct to DVD" was a code word for "Awful". These new films are much more sophisticated than their predecessors, and make no mistake, 'Planet Hulk' is *not* a kids film. In fact, I'd say this was more violent than either of the two live-action 'Hulk' movies. Blood and death abound, and there aren't any lessons to offset it.

With its dull animation, weak voice acting and uninspired dialog, 'Planet Hulk' may not reach the heights of some of the better titles to come down the line the last few years, but it's a serviceable distraction that should please Hulk fans. For everyone else, mileage may vary.

Planet Hulk for me is not perfect. I do think that it could have done with a longer length, consequently a couple of scenes wouldn't have felt as rushed and more could have been done with a couple of others. Namely Beta Ray Bill's exit, which seemed rather silly and somewhat defeatist. However, Planet Hulk is still an excellent film and more even than Hulk vs. The animation is very good, with very detailed backgrounds, stylish character animation and atmospheric colours. The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting, and the music has a haunting quality that is ideal for the tone of Planet Hulk. The writing is intelligent and smart, and while the basic concept is somewhat standard the story is even in tone and compelling. The characters are generally well-developed and interesting, Hulk is brooding and charismatic, the Emperor is a worthy villain and Beta Ray Bill is a great inclusion. The voice acting is very good. Overall, excellent film if not a perfect one. 8/10 Bethany Cox