--- title: "The Incredible Hulk: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk" critics_score: 58 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Incredible Hulk (2008): what the critics said Critics' score 58 from 16 reviews: 5 positive, 7 mixed, 4 negative. Most critics take The Incredible Hulk as a leaner, faster and less introspective film than Ang Lee’s 2003 version, and the majority think the trade is worth making. The praise clusters on Louis Leterrier’s pace, particularly the fugitive chase of the opening stretch, and on Edward Norton, whose Banner most think is played with more conviction than the material asks for. A few reviews also enjoy the throwaway gags and a coherent scepticism about the military. The reservations gather around the computer-generated action. Several critics find the Hulk sequences numbing and the film livelier when he is off-screen; the closing fight with the Abomination splits them, with Time Out calling it the strongest sequence and The Hollywood Reporter calling it the disappointment. The spread is wide. Digital Spy is close to a rave, while Slant and Eye for Film see a shallow, homogenised blockbuster that has thrown away the earlier film’s layers and put nothing in their place. ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating B-. 12 June 2008. The film retreats to basic, low-risk Hulk-smashing action without the psychological complexity of Ang Lee's version, delivering competent entertainment that prioritizes fan service and set pieces over depth or ambition. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-incredible-hulk-1798204447) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2008. The critic calls it a solid, action-focused thrill ride with an intelligent script and smart direction from Louis Leterrier, marking a shift from the prior film's introspection toward spectacle, though the climactic CGI battle disappoints. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/incredible-hulk-review-movie-2008-125350/) ## The Telegraph — Mark Monahan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2008. The critic calls the film a jolly pleasant surprise that delivers energetic Saturday-night entertainment with punch and pace. Norton plays Banner with intelligent conviction and there is good chemistry with Liv Tyler. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3554062/The-Incredible-Hulk-energetic-entertainment.html) ## The Times — Tom Charity Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2008. The critic describes an enjoyable, unpretentious follow-up that is faster and lighter than Ang Lee's version. It works as a tight fugitive scenario with throwaway gags and a coherent anti-military stance. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-incredible-hulk-v57pfcfb8vl) ## Little White Lies — Matt Bochenski Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2008. The film is not as bad as its early press suggested and offers an enjoyable summer diversion thanks to a grounded approach, effective effects and a strong central performance from Norton. It remains disposable and unlikely to reward repeat viewings. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-incredible-hulk) ## Empire — Simon Crook Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). The film reboots the Hulk franchise efficiently with energy and some inventive action sequences, but it is a broody, moody affair that lacks fun and dynamic lead performance from Norton. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/incredible-hulk-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2008. The reboot is solid and efficient if unadventurous, delivering crisp action in the opening sections thanks to the director's action background and strong performances from Norton and Roth. It ultimately feels limited by comic-book conventions and ends with a self-referential trailer-like sequence. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-13-et-hulk13-story.html) ## Time Out — Wally Hammond Rating 3/5. 9 June 2008. The critic finds Leterrier’s version a simpler, leaner and more satisfying take on the character than Ang Lee’s 2003 film. Some middle-section longueurs are offset by neat touches and a strong climactic action sequence. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-incredible-hulk) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2008. The Incredible Hulk is most entertaining when the Hulk is off-screen thanks to strong human performances and witty tone, but the CGI action sequences are spectacularly average and numbing. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-incredible-hulk-review-2/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2008. The film is a generic, middling superhero outing that improves on the 2003 version in some visual and action aspects but lacks a vivid central character. It settles for formulaic fights and familiar tropes rather than aiming higher. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/movies/13hulk.html) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2008. Leterrier's reboot strips away the prior film's aesthetic and emotional layers for a shallow, arrhythmic chase spectacle that fears character development, though the final Hulk vs. Abomination battle provides some vigorous, well-choreographed excitement. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-incredible-hulk/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2008. The critic finds that Louis Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk lumbers to little effect. It begins with Bourne-style chases but ends in a monster-vs-monster showdown in Manhattan. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jun/15/culture.review2) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2008. Praises the thrilling action sequences and fluid direction by Leterrier, noting it avoids pretensions and delivers visceral thrills with strong CGI and cast performances. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a99150/the-incredible-hulk/) ## The Skinny — Paul Greenwood Rating 3/5. 11 June 2008. Commends the reboot for its action-packed pace and use of the TV series score, highlighting spectacular set pieces while noting some coherence issues in action. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-incredible-hulk) ## Den of Geek — Sarah Dobbs Rating 2/5. 9 June 2008. The critic finds the film lacks purpose and emotional depth, focusing too much on the Abomination's origin while Norton and Tyler's performances are flat. It fails as entertainment despite action. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-incredible-hulk-review/) ## Eye for Film — Anton Bitel Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2008. The critic finds the film a conventional, homogenised summer blockbuster that delivers predictable action but lacks subtlety or distinction. They single out the casting of Edward Norton and the brief reflection on the American military in William Hurt's performance for minor interest amid otherwise bland sound and fury. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-incredible-hulk-film-review-by-anton-bitel) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md