Hulk Vs

2009

Hulk smash "? and smash again "? in "Hulk Vs," a two-disc pair of animated features from Marvel Comics pitting the green giant against one mad mutant and one Norse god.

"Hulk vs. Wolverine" comprises the first disc. After an exceedingly slick title sequence, the fun gets immediately underway, making good on its title promise of having Hulk fight the razor-clawed X-Men member. The first part closely follows a recent comic-book match in the mountains between the two titans, before segueing into more of a Wolverine story, with familiar villains like Deathstrike and Sabretooth.

On disc two is "Hulk vs. Thor." Whereas the Wolverine story is decidedly action-oriented, this one leans heavily toward the fantastic and supernatural, and Hulk doesn't work all that well in such an environment. Still, at a running time of only 45 minutes, it doesn't require much investment. (By contrast, the better "Wolverine" runs only 37.)

These may be just direct-to-video cartoons, but Lionsgate has included a wealth of special features, covering their making with commentaries and documentaries. Footage from the San Diego Comic-Con appears for "Hulk," while a featurette on legendary Marvel artist Jack Kirby adorns "Thor." You'll also get a look at the next Marvel animated film, "Wolverine and the X-Men."

Parents should keep in mind that although these are animated, they may not be appropriate for the youngest audiences. Some violence exists, including someone being ripped apart.

"?Rod Lott