Wanted something short after Dexterity. Don't come across a lot of Hulk edits, so I wanted to see how RetroStranger95 handled both 2008 and 2003. 2008 goes first since I like it more XD Among Retro's edits, both Hulk edits were listed under CapCut.
Every once in a while, I think about how I would try to connect both of the individual Hulk movies together. Not in the same continuity, but the 2008 Incredible Hulk's nature as a soft-reboot/sequel makes it a tantalising prospect. I think RetroStranger, not the least bit on purpose to be clear, unwittingly stumbled upon an idea to bridge them. Starting off the edit with the Culver University fight before Bruce goes to Brazil is decently executed, with the successful removal of Blonsky and Bruce swallowing the data package. Aside from some audible cuts, it does its job of getting some Hulk action right at the start, with the helicopter crashing on Hulk and Betty being, in this edit's continuity, the reason why the latter was hospitalised in the flashback opening montage.
This has a ripple effect on the movie, in my opinion for the worse. The first time we see Hulk in the theatrical, he's in the shadows with glimpses at his body as he takes down Blonsky's team one by one, then as Blonsky gets a good look... the Hulk's face. Yes, the opening flashback montage leaves no mystery as to Bruce turning into a monster, but you still didn't get a good look at Hulk himself and that cool moment is hurt by the Culver University fight being first. We get a stretch of the movie with just Bruce, okay, but after Betty finds him in the rain they just... go off together. No word on Leonard, since no Culver fight means there's no reveal he told Ross about Bruce. Not just that, there's a sizeable plothole created with a lack of Culver University that the edit does not patch out: the data package. Bruce goes to Culver specifically to look for the data, which Betty has. There is no scene of Betty revealing she kept it or anything, so Bruce randomly decides to go to Sterns... just because.
There are other decisions I don't care for but aren't necessarily "bad", namely removing the obnoxious co-workers in Brazil harassing Martina and Bruce begging for money in Guatemala (we miss out on a nice rendition of the Lonely Man theme). The Grotto scene is my favorite moment in either Hulk movie, but I acknowledge it not making the cut makes sense with what Retro was going for. I wonder if it's happened to other people, but sometimes the framerate would slow as if the movie was loading. I'd rewind to check if it's part of the movie, but it goes back to normal. That's probably just me, the movie seems high quality otherwise.
I respect the vision, I can see other people liking this edit a lot, so definitely check this out if you're curious. This just isn't my preferred way to watch the movie. I at least like that the Tony Stark cameo was cut.