The Incredible Hulk Blu-Ray Review

Ang Lee’s 2008 film of the iconic comic book character comes to 4K with a strong and generally pleasing HDR10 presentation backed by a powerful DTS:X immersive audio experience. With a handful of additional bonus features that port over from the DVD box set, this release is Recommended for fans and collectors looking to expand their Ultra HD library.

The Incredible Hulk is an inspired retelling of the famous comic book character’s origin, and the film is well served by director Louis Leterrier’s steady hand and assured direction. The film is also helped by the solid performances of Edward Norton as the afflicted Dr. Banner, and a supporting cast that includes Bill Bixby as the General Thunderbolt Ross who tries to keep Banner under control while seeking a cure for his condition.

This film’s transfer is a bit on the soft side, but it has a natural feel to it that helps the image stand out. Detail is excellent throughout the entire film, although some scenes such as the desert landscape where Banner seeks a cure for his affliction look slightly washed out, possibly due to the bright desert sky and the monochromatic palette of the surrounding scenery. Other than that, there is nothing to complain about with this presentation – it is certainly among the best that this film has ever looked on home video.

Universal’s DTS:X lossless soundtrack is a sonic delight, and it will easily impress even the most discerning audiophiles. The film’s opening sequence is a showcase for the system’s ability to convey a sense of space and volume with impressive clarity, while the roar of the Hulk in action is nothing short of spectacular. There are plenty of other examples, too, such as the shootout in chapter 5 that is a candidate for the audio demonstration sequence of the year (or perhaps of the decade). The barrage of gunshots, the rattling of shell casings, and the devastation wrought by the Hulk’s scream will leave listeners feeling like they are in the middle of the action itself.

In addition to the standard array of supplemental material included on the DVD box set, this Ultra HD Blu-ray release includes an excellent half hour audio commentary with the director and Tim Roth, a 10-minute Becoming the Hulk featurette, and an Anatomy of a Hulk-Out featurette that dissects three key sequences from the film from an effects standpoint. A photo gallery rounds out the rest of the package.