HULK VS WOLVERINE

It is a little known fact that Hulk first met Wolverine on a dating website. True story. Hulk was looking for a feisty mutt, and Wolverine was looking for someone with very big tits. OK, I have to admit, that is a load of old twaddle – unlike this 35 minute animation made in 2008.


Hulk Vs. (See all Animated Feature Films)


THE STORY:
Now why the hell is Wolverine being smashed into the ground by the Hulk then, huh? Well, the answer to this question began four hours earlier, when Wolverine was asked by Department H to investigate why a huge monster was smashing his way through a rustic part of America.

Prudently, this investigation leads Wolverine to the wilderness, where he has a sip of water and then finds a timid skinny chap crying by a lake.

This chap is none other than Bruce Banner (AKA the Hulk), and when the beast within comes to the surface, the results equal HULK-SMASH and WOLVERINE-SQUASH!

Fortunately, though, four members of the covert action team ‘Weapon X’ – Deadpool, Sabertooth, Omega Red, and Lady Deathstrike – quickly halt this brutish battle, and take them both back to a compound where they meet the professor. Coldly, this mastermind explains to Wolverine the true reason behind the Hulks rampage, as well as what he is going to do with them next – program them both to become unstoppable killing machines.

And does this happen? This programming thing-a-mi-jig? No – me thinks not either. As you see, thanks to a previous grievance between Lady Deathstrike and Wolverine, she inadvertently breaks him loose so that she can have her revenge. However, what then transpires is a rather brutal and savage turn of events all in all, as Lady Deathsrike slashes, Omega Red bashes, Sabertouth washes dishes, Deadpool pisses, Wolverine dismisses, and Hulk... errr... turns the other cheek.

NOT!

The never ending battle continues...

THE REVIEW:

‘Hulk Vs Wolverine’ is the second cartoon on the compilation DVD ‘Hulk vs’ – with the first one being ‘Hulk Vs Thor’ (to read that review click here). However, unlike the Thor cartoon, this one has a more down to earth vibe about it, and really puts on a lavish spectacle for all fight fans everywhere. Personally speaking, I like to call this film a symphony in smashes, bashes, and grunts, as it is pure machismo condescended into a can. Granted, this may not be everybody’s cup of tea – but for yours truly, I though that this was just... hmmm... smashing.

For a start, this film does a number of things that will make any comic book fan happy. Firstly, it joins together two old time foes in a battle royal of a movie – Hulk, Wolverine, plus others. Secondly, there are quite a few nudges and winks at comic book lore in it – such as the X23 reference, the whole Barry Windsor Smith ‘Weapon X’ scenario, the Joe Quesada image from his famous Wolverine cover, the homage of a battle between Hulk and Wolverine, and much, much more. Thirdly, the villains in this piece make you smile – most notably, Deadpool, who is one funny f*cker in this movie. Fourthly, the fights on display are of the savage variety – with an almost relentless pace to them. And fifthly, this film does not take itself too seriously – as it has an almost satirical tone that just grunts in the face of adversity.

Now if ‘Hulk Vs Wolverine’ had any bad points to it, it would be that it is a too short for my liking, and I would have liked to have seen something with a bit more story to it too. Still, apart from that, it really is a great piece of animation to watch. In a round about way it reminds me of a hooey eighties movie, where two ‘heroes’ meet, fight, find a common ground, and then beat the bad guys before betting each other up – like the Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood film, ‘City Heat’, just without the dialogue. In addition to this, it could also be compared to something like a colourful wrestling match as seen on television – just with a bit more dialogue to it. On top of that, I could compare it to a comic book too. OK, I know that this is a fairly obvious comparison considering that this film involves comic book characters set in a comic book world based on past comic book experiences. Nonetheless, that is not to say that this cartoon – unlike some other cartoons I care to mention – does not have a strong comic book flavour to it, both in style and pace as well as content.

Overall, this cartoon is well worth the watch if you are a fan of comic book violence, Hulk, Wolverine, or colourful pastiches of yesteryear. Well done Marvel for giving me a little hope that you know what you are doing with these DVD related projects.

Viva la revolution.

THE RATING: B