The Spoony Experiment - Because bad movies and games deserve to be hurt back!

Hulk VS. Spoony

Spoony | Jan 28 2009 | more |

I don’t have a lot of cred in movie critic circles (see: Knights of the Dinner Table, Getting Shitcanned By), and it didn’t help my case any when I went on record saying I thought that Ang Lee’s film HULK was a surprisingly thoughtful and insightful character study of a man’s deep-seated anger toward his negligent father, and precisely not the sort of thing a movie about the Hulk should be about. It was pretentious, slow, and worst of all, boring.

By comparison, the almost immediate remake called The Incredible Hulk was a witless smashfest that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a movie debate fans get really riled up about, and I guess my point is that the Hulk isn’t the kind of character you really need to overthink. That’s not to say he doesn’t have depth, just that he doesn’t need daddy issues and angsty interludes. He’s a guy who’s on the run from authorities who want to exploit him, and who’s exiled himself from everyone he knows and loves for fear he might accidentally hurt them. We like him because he’s the little guy who can fight back against bullies, and everyone can identify with that kind of feeling. We want to see him smash because it’s something we can’t do.

So, yeah, I liked The Incredible Hulk. You’ve got a great cast with Hurt and Norton, and you can’t go wrong with Tim Roth as your big bad. Hulk fights the army, and in the end there’s a clobberin’ match with the Abomination. This ain’t Shakespeare. We just want to see the green dude wrestle.

The animated featurettes that comprise Hulk VS. are little more than brawling matches between the Hulk and the heroes du jour: Thor and Wolverine. They’re each about 40 minutes long with paper-thin plots wherein Hulk goes on a rampage and people try to stop him. Again, that’s basically all I’m asking for in a Hulk story.

In Hulk VS. Wolverine, Logan is sent into Canada to stem Big Green’s path of destruction at any cost. In mid-brawl, they’re both captured by agents of Weapon X and scheduled for immediate brainwashing. This part was actually pretty clever since Wolverine is out of his league against the Hulk, and it helps to diversify the action a lot, pitting Hulk & Logan against such villains as Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, Omega Red, and of course, a heelish Deadpool.

Naturally, if you have no idea who I’m talking about, this movie’s not for you. If you’re a Deadpool fan, the Merc With a Mouth is going to steal the show for you. Otherwise, he comes off as bizarrely out of place given the grim company of Weapon X (but then, he always did). In truth, they probably tried a bit too hard with Wade’s constant chin-wagging, but it’s hard not to smile when he’s jamming an incendiary grenade in the Hulk’s mouth singing “Who wants snacks? You do! You do!”

Hulk VS. Thor is the better of the two (alas, no Deadpool), involving the seasonal warfare that rampages across Asgard when Odin takes a prolonged slumber, leaving Asgard vulnerable to its enemies. Luckily, Asgard is rarely under any serious threat under the watchful eye (and smiting hammer) of Thor, and Loki (he of the longish golden horns) decides to throw a big green monkey wrench into the works by taking control of the Hulk’s mind and teleporting him to Asgard to raise some Hel.

This one’s a lot of fun, watching Hulk take on some more upper-class opponents and wreaking a lot more guilt-free destruction than we’re accustomed to seeing. I enjoyed it, especially seeing characters like the Warriors Three, and the sense of history between the various gods referencing old but unseen rivalries. If there’s a major complaint about this one, it’s that the entire Norse pantheon gets absolutely bitch-slapped from pillar to post. Even if you’re a fan of the Hulk, that might be a little excessive.

It’s a tough review to make, though, because you’re likely to be sold or repulsed by the concept alone. If Hulk dribbling Deadpool like a basketball sounds funny to you, then by all means, give it a rent. If the idea of watching a green giant being whacked in the head by a hammer-wielding thunder god screaming “FOR ODIN! FOR ASGARD!” sounds stupid, I doubt I could change your mind.

Destron

I’m right with you on Hulk Vs. Spoony. the second best of these marvel animated movies yet imo… I’ve always been a Defenders man… so Doc Strange gets top honors … at least until Silver Surfer gets his own movie.
Destron

I’m right with you on Hulk Vs. Spoony. the second best of these marvel animated movies yet imo… I’ve always been a Defenders man… so Doc Strange gets top honors … at least until Silver Surfer gets his own movie.
Anonymous

If they made more Hulk Vs. movies, who would you pit him against?
mflorian

If they made more Hulk Vs. movies, who would you pit him against?
shane

I have to say I really enjoyed the Hulk vs movies. They were exactly what they set out to be, mindless fun.
And I’m right there with yea on that I enjoyed the Ang Lee’s Hulk movie. The general perception of the Hulk is that he’s there to smash, thats it…smash this and that! They understood when they did the reboot that that’s what needed to be done, for the masses to enjoy. Lee’s Hulk understood the slow pacing, brooding Hulk which is what the Hulk comics were always about.
anyway, the best Hulk vs for me was Wolverine. The plot was enough to get the action rolling. Just the pure energy the cartoon had was crazy. For me the first fight between the two, when the hulk hit Wolverine, or Wolverine stabbed and clawed the Hulk, I felt it, it looked and sounded intense, which we never get from a marvel cartoon. Like when the hulk kept punching Wolverine in the head after flattening him with the rock…it was crazy and even made me cringe abit.
and Deadpool! spot on, funny, immature and idoitic, just like the comic version.
Overall I really enjoyed them both, but I think instead of doing more Hulk s, Marvel animation should go back to doing MU stories.
Oh and rocking site, awesome reviews, and can’t wait for more FF8 videos.
shane

I have to say I really enjoyed the Hulk vs movies. They were exactly what they set out to be, mindless fun.
And I’m right there with yea on that I enjoyed the Ang Lee’s Hulk movie. The general perception of the Hulk is that he’s there to smash, thats it…smash this and that! They understood when they did the reboot that that’s what needed to be done, for the masses to enjoy. Lee’s Hulk understood the slow pacing, brooding Hulk which is what the Hulk comics were always about.
anyway, the best Hulk vs for me was Wolverine. The plot was enough to get the action rolling. Just the pure energy the cartoon had was crazy. For me the first fight between the two, when the hulk hit Wolverine, or Wolverine stabbed and clawed the Hulk, I felt it, it looked and sounded intense, which we never get from a marvel cartoon. Like when the hulk kept punching Wolverine in the head after flattening him with the rock…it was crazy and even made me cringe abit.
and Deadpool! spot on, funny, immature and idoitic, just like the comic version.
Overall I really enjoyed them both, but I think instead of doing more Hulk s, Marvel animation should go back to doing MU stories.
Oh and rocking site, awesome reviews, and can’t wait for more FF8 videos.
Dectilon

Personally I liked Ang Lee’s Hulk better, mostly because I dislike few marvel heroes as much as I dislike the Hulk so I didn’t care one way or the other. So when the movie turned out to be decent I was pretty dang satisfied.

I haven’t watch the second Hulk-movie, but it sounds like a dumber version of the Ironman movie. And let’s face it, the only reason Ironman was any good is because of Robert Downey Jr. The script is the same drivel as it usually is.
Dectilon

Personally I liked Ang Lee’s Hulk better, mostly because I dislike few marvel heroes as much as I dislike the Hulk so I didn’t care one way or the other. So when the movie turned out to be decent I was pretty dang satisfied.

I haven’t watch the second Hulk-movie, but it sounds like a dumber version of the Ironman movie. And let’s face it, the only reason Ironman was any good is because of Robert Downey Jr. The script is the same drivel as it usually is.
Olivaw

I am actually in complete agreement regarding both Hulk movies. I actually like both for entirely different reasons.

I was not aware there was a Hulk VS. though. Apparently I’ve been completely out of the loop on this one. And it features two of my favorite characters, Deadpool and Thor. I’ll definitely have to pick that up when I get the chance.
Olivaw

I am actually in complete agreement regarding both Hulk movies. I actually like both for entirely different reasons.

I was not aware there was a Hulk VS. though. Apparently I’ve been completely out of the loop on this one. And it features two of my favorite characters, Deadpool and Thor. I’ll definitely have to pick that up when I get the chance.
Dectilon

Oh, and I forgot to mention one little detail that just made the movie for me: Stuff didn’t explode. Sure, things were smashed to pieces, and everything were given a sense of gravity. The heavy objects looked heavy as they moved as opposed to most action movies, but tanks and helicopters didn’t explode just because they crashed.
Dectilon

Oh, and I forgot to mention one little detail that just made the movie for me: Stuff didn’t explode. Sure, things were smashed to pieces, and everything were given a sense of gravity. The heavy objects looked heavy as they moved as opposed to most action movies, but tanks and helicopters didn’t explode just because they crashed.
Matt

Deadpool is by far my favourite comic-book character and it’s great to see him get some time in a film…..not like that stupid few seconds in the X-Men animated series where he attacks Wolverine (it doesn’t even count because it was all done by Xavier’s mind). I have also heard that Deadpool may be in the upcoming Wolverine film….is this true?
Matt

Deadpool is by far my favourite comic-book character and it’s great to see him get some time in a film…..not like that stupid few seconds in the X-Men animated series where he attacks Wolverine (it doesn’t even count because it was all done by Xavier’s mind). I have also heard that Deadpool may be in the upcoming Wolverine film….is this true?
shane

Deadpool will be in the new Wolverine movie, played by Ryan Reynolds, and although he’s not in costume, or scarred all up, that might happen some time during the movie, or at the end. Reynolds has the chops to pull the character off, IMO.
shane

Deadpool will be in the new Wolverine movie, played by Ryan Reynolds, and although he’s not in costume, or scarred all up, that might happen some time during the movie, or at the end. Reynolds has the chops to pull the character off, IMO.
goldman

“…teleporting him to Asgard to raise some Hel.” I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR!
lol

but anyway, to be honest i dunno where is this all coming from…
i’m kinda lost if you talk to me about hulk… i actually kinda hate the character, so i dunno anything about it
goldman

“…teleporting him to Asgard to raise some Hel.” I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR!
lol

but anyway, to be honest i dunno where is this all coming from…
i’m kinda lost if you talk to me about hulk… i actually kinda hate the character, so i dunno anything about it
https://www.cia.gov/ MHaden45

That was a very insightful review, and I totally agree. The hulk is supposed to be a smashfest.
Now on to Final Fantasy VIII. Seriously, the fans are getting antsy.
https://www.cia.gov/ MHaden45

That was a very insightful review, and I totally agree. The hulk is supposed to be a smashfest.
Now on to Final Fantasy VIII. Seriously, the fans are getting antsy.
Resident01

If all you really want from a Hulk movie is an excuse for him to smash stuff up, what do you think of the current rumor that has him as the/one of the villains in the upcoming live-action Avengers movie?
Resident01

If all you really want from a Hulk movie is an excuse for him to smash stuff up, what do you think of the current rumor that has him as the/one of the villains in the upcoming live-action Avengers movie?
http://vicecitymafia.synthasite.com/ Vincent “Eyebrows” Lario

Deadpool for the win! And yeah, Ang Lee’s Hulk was going for something entirely different than what the audience was looking for, but on repeated viewings, I’ve come to respect the movie for what it is: a new-school remake of the old Universal Frankenstein.
http://vicecitymafia.synthasite.com/ Vincent “Eyebrows” Lario

Deadpool for the win! And yeah, Ang Lee’s Hulk was going for something entirely different than what the audience was looking for, but on repeated viewings, I’ve come to respect the movie for what it is: a new-school remake of the old Universal Frankenstein.
Anonymous

I didn’t care too much of Ang Lee’s HULK. It was slow, uninteresting and lacked in action. Even the CG Hulk (when we finally get to see it) managed to look incredible bad. The Hulk should be this angry green raging monster, yet in this one he was more like Shrek on steroids. And the Hulk dogs? Don’t even get me started on them.
Cthulhu07

I didn’t care too much of Ang Lee’s HULK. It was slow, uninteresting and lacked in action. Even the CG Hulk (when we finally get to see it) managed to look incredible bad. The Hulk should be this angry green raging monster, yet in this one he was more like Shrek on steroids. And the Hulk dogs? Don’t even get me started on them.
fechi

Well the best thing from Hulk vs Wolverine was Deadpool.
fechi

Well the best thing from Hulk vs Wolverine was Deadpool.
Dominic

I have to say, never before has a written review made me laugh this much. The use of Hel as a pun, particularly, made me laugh pretty hard.
Dominic

I have to say, never before has a written review made me laugh this much. The use of Hel as a pun, particularly, made me laugh pretty hard.
Charley

Getting to see the Merc with the Mouth on the screen was great. I hear he’s also going to to be in that wolverine spinoff too.
Charley

Getting to see the Merc with the Mouth on the screen was great. I hear he’s also going to to be in that wolverine spinoff too.
http://natewinchester.wordpress.com/ Nate Winchester

Off Topic: Hey Spoony! Just saw you on scans daily and loved your point about Final Crisis. Now if you and Linkara can just tag team ripping into Final Crisis I will have ascended to geek nirvana.
http://natewinchester.wordpress.com/ Nate Winchester

Off Topic: Hey Spoony! Just saw you on scans daily and loved your point about Final Crisis. Now if you and Linkara can just tag team ripping into Final Crisis I will have ascended to geek nirvana.
firehunter

well i enjoyed both and the fact seeing thor get beat down and then ressurted then beatdown then saying screw it leave the women to take care of hulk.

DEAD POOL FOR THE WIN>
firehunter

well i enjoyed both and the fact seeing thor get beat down and then ressurted then beatdown then saying screw it leave the women to take care of hulk.

DEAD POOL FOR THE WIN>
Littlenorwegians

I remember you getting a lot of critique in the Gamers Rant in KotDT.
I liked it, though. Funny, ’cause I just discovered that a little while back that you were in that magazine.
I ended up watching your vids and enjoying them without even knowing that I’ve enjoyed your creations before.
Littlenorwegians

I remember you getting a lot of critique in the Gamers Rant in KotDT.
I liked it, though. Funny, ’cause I just discovered that a little while back that you were in that magazine.
I ended up watching your vids and enjoying them without even knowing that I’ve enjoyed your creations before.
Schmu

nice, but nothing in comparison to your older (written) movie reviews…when are the other letters be available again? i already read the whole a and b section, alone in the dark and blood rayne even twice…and god, im ashamed to have the same nationality as dr. uwe boll -___-

keep up the great work spoony!
Schmu

nice, but nothing in comparison to your older (written) movie reviews…when are the other letters be available again? i already read the whole a and b section, alone in the dark and blood rayne even twice…and god, im ashamed to have the same nationality as dr. uwe boll -___-

keep up the great work spoony!
Torri

I’m eager to see HvsW, mainly for the Deadpool quipage XD
I saw the end half on Ang Lee’s Hulk and… for me it wasn’t the pacing or anything like that…. it was the ridiculous overuse of split screen montages! it was like they thought the only way to make it look like a comic was to put in those gods awful montages. Alright they’re in an underground base with military guys… fine…. wait why is this montage still going? My Gods we get already… my brain!
Torri

I’m eager to see HvsW, mainly for the Deadpool quipage XD
I saw the end half on Ang Lee’s Hulk and… for me it wasn’t the pacing or anything like that…. it was the ridiculous overuse of split screen montages! it was like they thought the only way to make it look like a comic was to put in those gods awful montages. Alright they’re in an underground base with military guys… fine…. wait why is this montage still going? My Gods we get already… my brain!
Resident01

One thing can definitely be said about Ang Lee’s Hulk: It’s a showcase for Nick Nolte. He really cuts loose.
Resident01

One thing can definitely be said about Ang Lee’s Hulk: It’s a showcase for Nick Nolte. He really cuts loose.
http://www.myspace.com/adamtmartin Adam

The Incredible Hulk is better mainly for Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and the better pacing.
http://www.myspace.com/adamtmartin Adam

The Incredible Hulk is better mainly for Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and the better pacing.
Deadpool

WOO! finally, someone else that knows about the hulk vs wolfie video! god damn that one was good, thanks to deadpool! solid review spoony. there was much mention of deadpool…as he deserves!
Deadpool

WOO! finally, someone else that knows about the hulk vs wolfie video! god damn that one was good, thanks to deadpool! solid review spoony. there was much mention of deadpool…as he deserves!
Zach Wilkins

Spoony, you almost changed my mind on watching these, just with your fantastic explanations of the films. However, as you’ve stated yourself, it’s unlikely you’d change anyone’s mind…
Zach Wilkins

Spoony, you almost changed my mind on watching these, just with your fantastic explanations of the films. However, as you’ve stated yourself, it’s unlikely you’d change anyone’s mind…
http://www.cheshirecatstudios.com/ LaughingMan

That’s weird, I just finished watching the ‘Making Of’ videos from the PSN and thinking “OMFG! DEADPOOL!!” I’ll take a recommendation from The Spoony One as my excuse to download both videos.
http://www.cheshirecatstudios.com LaughingMan

That’s weird, I just finished watching the ‘Making Of’ videos from the PSN and thinking “OMFG! DEADPOOL!!” I’ll take a recommendation from The Spoony One as my excuse to download both videos.
eadwin

Spoony, you need to do an Uwe Boll film review. Seriously. I can’t wrap my head around the potential of this…
- http://www.facebook.com/people/George-Rosenbaum/100001387887487 George Rosenbaum
  
  He has done several VLOGS! You like VLOGS?!
eadwin

Spoony, you need to do an Uwe Boll film review. Seriously. I can’t wrap my head around the potential of this…
Littlenorwegians

@ eadwin

He already has done some text reviews of a lot of Uwe Boll movies and has actually mentioned them a lot in his video logs.
Littlenorwegians

@ eadwin

He already has done some text reviews of a lot of Uwe Boll movies and has actually mentioned them a lot in his video logs.
Anonymous

Hey Noah, you should check out Wolverine and the X-men episode 7. It’s a direct follow up to Hulk vs. Wolverine. Just thought you might be interested about it.
cthulhu07

Hey Noah, you should check out Wolverine and the X-men episode 7. It’s a direct follow up to Hulk vs. Wolverine. Just thought you might be interested about it.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ICDHG7TLTN6JVK6JMK3TKQFXKQ Mike Wallace

Always loved The Hulk, particularly at his most mindless. This DVD was great and free of a lot of the BS put into the live-action films. I never really felt that Hulk throwning down on Asgard was really excessive, and the reason why is that Hulk is all about defiance. The whole idea of him growing stronger the angrier he gets just fits that refusal to stand down to others, even if they’re gods.

It’s the Superman vs. Hulk arguement. When you see Superman save the day, it’s literally like God coming down from on high to save us little ants, and we’d best be damn thankful he’s a benevolent obermensch. But with the Hulk, when he decides to throw down and save the day, it’s because he refuses to sit down and take it. He’s not God, he’s the average man’s defiant anger, and the idea that a man can move a mountain if his heart is in the right place. He’s destructive, dangerous, but just makes him more human because we all know what can happen when those with power are heedless of its consequences.
Anonymous

I’m a Hulk fan and I loved all of these and I agreed with you on the first Hulk movie.
http://twitter.com/Spokavriel Daniel Thomas Stack

The only Hulk movie I own a copy of is the Ang Lee one. I guess I just like movies others hate. I watched Highlander II The Quickening in Theaters and liked it. The complexity and daddy issues can work for Banner. The failing of the movie is that they had The Hulk being introspective on that score. Not to say that Hulk can’t ever be introspective its just not that common that he gets past the rage for a moment like that.
Fabian Exner

Raise some Hel, eh? I see what you did there.

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