Wow, this was pretty darn good!

I had never seen any of the recent Marvel animated films because I didn't know if they were corny and badly written like the kiddie animation from my childhood, or of a more intelligent level. But when I discovered a website where you could see Planet Hulk for free, I took a shot. Although I hadn't read the "Planet Hulk" storyline that ran in the pages of Incredible Hulk from beginning to end, I had breezed through the giant collected hardcover edition in a Barnes and Noble in White Plains, NY years ago, and thought it was pretty interesting. I don't remember every single nuance of the plot, so I'm absolutely sure about all the aspects of the story that were changed in the adaptation process. (I'm pretty sure that the appearance of Beta Ray Bill was not in the original story, as was the early death of one or two of the gladiators. I also notice that the member of the Brood that was among the gladiators was not present, and the story understandably ends a bit earlier than the comic story did, since that story went right into the "World War Hulk" storyline.) But its strength comes from the fact that the story is pretty easy for the uninitiated to understand, with backstory that led to it provided as expositional setup in the beginning of the film featuring a couple of other Marvel big guns.

What I liked about the film was fairly straightforward, and unflinching, given the violent gladiatorial arena in which it was set. Blood of at least three different colors is shown, and people do get killed. I say this not because I like death and violence for its own sake, but because to not include this would be ruin its credibility. Characters and their backstories are introduced economically, and the film does the job of investing the viewer in what happens next, with the same suspense and plot twists that one would expect in live action fare.

Very noticeable to me was that there wasn't any pompous, corny dialogue that typifies the animated TV shows from when I was a kid. It's pretty straightforward, and Hulk, mostly silent, particularly in the beginning part of the film, is given some sharp retorts that fit his character. While it's possible that the reduced amount of dialogue compared to the comic is derived from the very nature of the two mediums (you can include more words in a comic panel, and let the reader take their time reading it, whereas animated demands a more streamlined amount of it), the effect was that I wasn't sure at first if this Hulk was the childlike, caveman-talking Hulk, or the streetwise, tough-talking thug Hulk, at least until later in the story.

In short, I enjoyed this, and I hope they make an adaptation of the follow-up storyline, "World War Hulk", in which Hulk pretty much beats the living heck out of every other major Marvel hero.

You can see the entire 73 minute film for free here.

---NITS & NOTES
As I recall, in the comic, Hulk's vulnerability to the weapons of this world was explained to be derived from the lower density of his molecular structure, or the reduced vigor of the gamma radiation effect in his blood--or something like that. I don't believe any explanation was given in this film.

I liked the bit with Miek and the governor near the end of the film. I thought they missed an opportunity for a good bit of dialogue from him: (Since it's spoiler, highlight to read.)

"Next time you engage in hand-to-hand combat, make sure your opponent doesn't have more hands!"

Pajiba's review here.