As with other movies based on comics, this one took quite a few liberties with the establishment of the Hulk's origins. These liberties dominated the first hour of this almost 2.5 hour long movie. Because it was deviating from the Comic origins, I forgave this lull in the movie to see how it played in the story during the second half of the movie.
What I enjoyed the most (other than the cameo by Lou Ferrigno and Stan Lee as Security Guards in the beginning of the movie), was that it was done as a comic book. Watching the movie was very much like turning the pages of a comic book. Panels showing interactions between characters rather than typical movie or TV style. While I heard people around me grumbling about this, I enjoyed it as it really brought home that I was watching a comic book.
While I enjoyed it, I will be the first to admit that it is not the kind of movie that is going to do well in the theaters. I think it will do much better once it is released as a DVD. I think the only thing that would bring me back to see it a second time in the theater is to get there earlier to get better seats. We were crammed onto the side of the front row, which made watching the movie difficult. We did, however have a great view of the bottom right corner of the screen!
The kids definitely enjoyed the movie more than adults did. That is understandable. After all, what kid doesn't dream about being able to evolve into a giant musclebound hulk when they are mad?
You didn't? Oh. Well, never mind then.
The only disappointment I had was the line "Hulk smash" was not used at all. What's up with that?