Planet Hulk (2010)

 

If you have already read the comic book series that deal with this storyline, you're not going to find anything new here, save for a few minor alterations that don't impact the story. But if you haven't, then this is actually a very decent animated feature that doesn't hold back on the violence and the gnarlier sides of this tale.

After a group of superheroes (among them Iron Man) deem the Hulk too dangerous to remain on Earth, they shoot him out to space in a spaceship. He is supposed to land on a green and fertile planet with no real intelligent life, as nothing would provoke him there. But because the guidance system gets wrecked, the Hulk instead lands on the war-torn planet of Sakaar where he is captured and thrown into an arena as a gladiator. 

The Hulk at first wants nothing to do with others who are in the same boat, but he soon sort of befriends a bunch of others, as they all strive to be free after several bouts and they are just really good as a team fighting a plethora of opponents. However, the Red King, ruler of this planet, doesn't want anyone to escape, especially as the population of Sakaar sees the Hulk as their saviour who will once again bring life and prosperity. 

Betrayals follow, as even the Red King's closest bodyguard Caiera discovers the truth and eventually falls in love with Hulk. But the Red King won't step down easily... 

Suffice to say, this is pretty much excellent viewing for comic book fans. They stay fairly close to the story and the pacing is fast. Like, real fast: you won't be bored because stuff just flies by. The animation is pretty spotless and the voice acting, while at times a bit overly dramatic, is good. Basically, this is what you would want from an animated feature that has superheroes in it, adn as this is indeed one of the darker tales in the Marvel universe, it's good to see they didn't sugarcoat it. 

Give it a chance. It's more than decent.