Film review - The Incredible Hulk

What possibly persuaded the Hollywood bigwigs to make another Incredible Hulk movie just five years after Ang Lee's mediocre effort?

This film is no better, in fact, worse, than the first one.

Presumably they thought the Hulk was one prominent superhero who had not been given full cinematic justice. A shame then this film is no better, in fact, worse, than the first one.

The close five-year proximity inevitably saps it of any freshness but the real problem is star and co-writer Edward Norton in one of the blandest superhero performances ever.

The real problem is star and co-writer Edward Norton, in one of the blandest superhero performances ever.

Rather than explain how he became the hulk, the movie begins with Bruce Banner on the run in South America, where he sustains himself with a drab existence in a Brazilian bottling plant.

Desperately trying to find a cure for his bizarre radiation poisoning, Banner is tracked down by military authorities keen to harness the hulk's belligerent potential.

As Bruce returns home to find his lost love Betty (Liv Tyler), he instigates a cat and mouse chase with marine officer Emile Blonsky (Tim Roth) on his tale.

It's as though director Louis Leterrier is apologetically acknowledging the Ang Lee movie (which did I seem to recall end with Bruce Banner hiding in the South American jungle)

Norton's Banner is about as angry as watercress.

Thus, The Incredible Hulk is intended as both a sequel and a "fresh" hulk romp simultaneously. Sadly he doesn't pull it off.

Plus, Norton's Banner is about as angry as watercress. Tim Roth, too, is wasted as a stereotypical British bad guy who transforms into Hulk's arch nemesis, The Abomination.

The Incredible Hulk does provide some good action and it does not allow itself to get swamped in silly special effects.

The Incredible Hulk does provide some good action and it does not allow itself to get swamped in silly special effects, but this is recommended only to fans of the comic books.