Planet Hulk DVD Review
Posted by Jeffrey Harris on 02.05.2010
The Hulk is back and ready to smash in an all new animated DVD knock down, drag out brawl. Based on the awesome "Planet Hulk" story from the comics.
The Movie
About a year out from the last Marvel/Lionsgate animated movie DVD release, Hulk VS., Planet Hulk is finally here. Unlike the last few movies, Planet Hulk is more fully based on a single story which is of course the awesome Planet Hulk storyline of the same name from the comics by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan. Much like the comics, Hulk is blasted into space by the Illumanati (Marc Worden of the animated Ultimate Avengers and Iron Man movies does a short cameo as Iron Man), but Hulk's rage causes the ship to be diverted to a wartorn and volatile planet, Sakaar. Sakaar is under the tyrannical rule of the Red King. After Hulk crash lands, he's attacked and taken prisoner by the Red King's imperial army and forced to compete in the Empire's gladitorial combat games. So the Hulk is forced to fight to the death with some nasty beasties.
Over the course of the story, Hulk finds unlikely friends in the other outcast and enslaved members of his group. What's good about this storyline, much like the comics, is that Hulk is given the chance to be accepted by people who admire his rage and power rather than be feared and loathed for it. This theme is translated well into the animated version. More than anything this is a great and unique setting to see the Hulk in action.
One of the drawbacks though is as an adaptation and with an 81 minute running time, a lot of various elements from the comics had to be left out. So in terms of adaptation goes, this is a rather streamlined version of Pak's story. The writers though do a good job of getting many of the key beats and moments in, and giving Hulk a very full character arc rather than jumping right into the next storyline that came after Planet Hulk which was World War Hulk. The movie also works in a great appearance for Beta Ray Bill which honestly makes a lot of sense. And hey, Bill earned it and was well over due for another motion picture appearance.
The Rating: 8.5 out of 10.0
The Video
The movie is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. Animation and colors look very lush and nice. The animation does some nice effects in depicting rain as well as using some nice moving camera shots since the camera shots in animation generally remain static and in place. Sakaar looks really good onscreen. The animation crew also throws in some squee-worthy Marvel cameos during the crowd sequences of the gladiator fights. Look out for some Skrulls and Guardians of the Galaxy. The animation style is very similar to previous animated releases from Marvel which is fine, but at one point I wouldn't mind seeing the animation try and mimic a specific artists art style a little more not unlike how Batman/Superman: Public Enemies translated Ed McGuinness' art style to animation.
The Rating: 8.5 out of 10.0
The Audio
The DVD includes the original English language track in 5.1 Dolby Digital. A Spanish language track in 2.0 stereo is also included as well as optional English and Spanish subtitles. The soundtrack is very strong. There's good music, and there's a lot of ambience and depth with the sound effects. The voice cast features a solid variety of voice acting veterans. Paul Dobson as Beta Rey Bill was super cool. Rick Wasserman was a diversion from Fred Tatasciore who has been doing Hulk in most of the latest animated versions, but since this is a different Hulk that actually speaks and is a little more intelligent, the character is well served by Wasserman. My personal favorite is of course Liam O'Briem as Heroim who is also kicking ass right now as War for Darksiders. Go to the games section to check my full review.
The Rating: 9.0 out of 10.0
The Extras and Packaging
This is a 2 disc DVD set packaged in a clamshell case. The cover is a new, awesome design from the one and only Alex Ross. The case also has a slip cover with the same Ross design but with a metallic-colored logo and the image is slightly raised, almost 3D. The main feature and special features are on disc 1. The second disc is a digital copy version only. The extras:
Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer Joshua Fine and Screenwriter Greg Johnson
Audio Commentary by Director Sam Liu, Character Designer Philip Bourassa and Key Background Painter Steve Nicodemus
A Whole World of Hurt: The making of Planet Hulk
Let the Smashing Commence! The Saga of Planet Hulk
Opening Sequence - Thor: Tales of Asgard
Wolverine and the X-men -- "Wolverine vs. Hulk" Episode
Motion Comics
Music Videos
Trailers
As per usual with the Marvel/Lionsgate animated DVD releases, this release comes with a nice group of special features you usually don't see for animated DVD releases (see the X-men 90's series DVD's from Disney). There are two separate Audo Commentary tracks. The first track features Marvel Animation writer and producer, Joshua Fine with writer Greg Johnson. Both Fine and Johnson are excellent Marvel historians and truly understand how animation is a powerful medium to stretch the limits of presentation for Marvel characters we cannot and most likely will never see in live action. The second track is more technical with animation director Sam Liu, character designer Philip Bourassa and the key background painter Steve Nicodemus. It's great that Marvel and Lionsgate do these types of commentary tracks since it gives us a great and unique window into animation production.
A World of Hurt is your basic DVD making of/production featurette and runs about 22 minutes. This goes a lot into the animation production and interviews with the production crew. I would've liked to have seen some more interview footage with the voice actors, but this was still good.
Let The Smashing Commence! is a really cool DVD featurette since it's all about the "Planet Hulk" comics storyline by Greg Pak. Features like this are nice since it's nice to see something go in depth about comic writing, comic story development, and artwork. It adds a good variety to the DVD features.
The next Marvel/Lionsgate animated DVD movie, Tales of Asgard also gets some face time on the DVD. The clip features what looks like the trailer of the movie shown last year at SDCC and also the opening five minutes of the movie. In the opening, a young Thor is staging a mock sparring battle with Asgardian soldiers. Thor clearly isn't good enough to win on his own, but the soldiers hold back and let Thor have the advantage so he can win and look good. A young Loki, watches from the sideline and encourages Thor's ego and bravado. Thor then goes to visit Sif in the stables, and Sif is not impressed with Thor's behavior. Angered, Thor challenges Sif and Sif then humiliates Thor using a pitchfork. Sif leaves, giving Loki a warning. I really enjoyed the shortlived Thor: Son of Asgard comic series, and this animated movie is very evocative of that storyline.
For more Hulk action, the "Wolverine vs. Hulk" episode of the awesome Wolverine and The X-men animated series is also included. Marvel Motion comics, music videos, and video game and other animated release trailers round out the special features.
The Rating: 9.0 out of 10.0
The 411: Planet Hulk is yet another really good animated movie DVD release from Marvel and Lionsgate. In terms of ranking, I put this above the Ultimate Avengers, Next Avengers,, and Iron Man movies, but a little below Hulk VS. and Doctor Strange territory. The movie features an awesome and rare animated appearance from Beta Ray Bill, and the upcoming Thor: Tales of Asgard also looks very promising.
