Geekshow

Review: ‘Hulk vs’ DVD

Captain Wednesday takes on the newest Marvel Animation Studios’ direct-to-DVD release, the double feature Hulk Vs.

Hulk Smash! Sorry, had to get that out of the way after viewing the Marvel Universe’s latest animated offering, Hulk Vs, which pits the big green guy against Wolverine and Thor among others.

Just as DC has its animated brain trust (in Bruce Timm we believe) so does Marvel. The two wonder kids of Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle who came to us during the X-Men Evolution animated series (and have never left) are at it again with two very diverse stories featuring the Hulk.

Yost and Kyle are quite clever in crafting two separate tales as neither is a straightforward Hulk-a-palooza with the big guy just wailing away, but you do get those moments.

For fanboys (and you know who you are) picking up this DVD for the Hulk Vs Wolverine slugfest, you will not be disappointed as a good part of the (only) 37-minute long film is the two getting to know one another in the most violent way possible. In fact, I felt a little squeamish a couple of times as no longer did I have to use my imagination with the drawings on the page as the Hulk pummeled away at Wolverine’s head or when the crazy-Canuck stuck his claws in the Hulk’s chest, back or various other body parts. Please note both of the features are rated PG-13 with the Wolverine story being the most violent and graphic.

The story is done in such a way that it really is not as much a Hulk story as it is a Wolverine story. The Hulk just happens to be the catalyst for the events and a tour of it’s a Wolverine/Weapon X life. And there is more as in guest stars galore. I am only going to throw one name out there because his appearance actually made me laugh quite a number of times and that is everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. (Make sure you keep the disc running until after the credits as there is an extra scene at the end with the aforementioned Wade Wilson that will leave you in stitches).

Hulk vs Thor finds the big green guy pulled up in Asgard’s business as Loki (yes) has devised yet another scheme to dethrone his hated step-brother Thor. As with any good Asgard story it has all the usual suspects in Balder, Sif, Enchantress, Odin and Hela to name just a few.

There have not been many animated versions of Thor (and the Ultimates does not count because that is not the God of Thunder) and this one does not disappoint. ‘Tis how I suspected hine to be all along on the animated screen, but I digress…

This time the Hulk and Bruce Banner have more to do in the story as they are not as much the central point but pivotal to everything that is occurring and that will happen. For fans of Asgard, Loki’s role will not disappoint. As for Hulk vs lineup, Thor might not be the one I would have picked, but the story was good and I still got my geek moments out with Wolverine.

I usually beat up Marvel for their animated feature production values on a regular basis. After watching the first two Ultimate movies and Iron Man, I gave up and did not even bother with Dr Strange and Next Avengers. The animation is generally not strong nor is the story telling. Well I guess Marvel is learning from its mistakes because both stories are good and worthy of the characters (and most importantly) my time.

The animation is also strong and there are no throw away background scenes where the drummer’s arms go up and down in the same motion the entire time as in Ultimate Avengers (even the Muppet’s Animal changes up his stride every now and then). There is actually a terrific from the page moment during Wolverine’s fight with the Hulk where you see the Hulk’s enraged face in Wolverine’s claws – most excellent.

So there you have it, two films for the price of one is what you get with this one as the second feature, Hulk vs Thor, clocks in at 45 minutes of running time. That is 122 minutes all told. The length is actually just right as neither story tends to drag (and how could it when its rock-em, sock-em Hulk time?).

Back to the superstar duo of Yost and Kyle, the pair have shepherded along some key Marvel animated projects of late, including the recent Fanatastic Four series (which I liked) and the ongoing Spectacular Spider-Man (which is fun). They are the go-to guys when it comes to bringing Marvel’s heroes to animated life. They do not let us down here, although I can not say the same for their current run on X-Force.

If you know anything about Yost and Kyle’s earlier Marvel claim to fame and how one of their characters became the first Marvel ‘toon to make the jump from the screen to the page (ala Harley Quinn) then pay attention during the Wolverine show, especially when they review the Weapon X lab.

Don’t forget to tip your taxi driver on the way out – Peace!

Captain Wednesday – Your Friendly Neighborhood Comic Dude