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3 Stars

‘The Incredible Hulk’ is the second screen incarnation of the Marvel character in five years. Thankfully this version is a lot more coherent and entertaining than the previous film. Edward Norton makes for a vulnerable and sympathetic Bruce Banner, a man living with GAMMA poising that turns him into a green giant known as ‘Hulk’. William Hurt and Tim Roth are quality actors that bring a level of professionalism and grandeur to the proceedings. Roth’s turn from Special Forces leader into the monster known as ‘Abomination’ is one of the best things in the picture.

More so than than 2003′s ‘Hulk’ this film is interested in mixing elements from ‘Monster Movies’, deftly paying homage to screen giants like King Kong and Godzilla. After complaints that the first film was too heavy-handed and overly confusing, the filmmakers have wisely decided to streamline the script and inject a more playful tone to the material. A great scene in which Hulk saves Betty Ross from a burning helicopter is a doozy, as is a extended ‘WWE’ style fight sequence between the two creatures on a city street.

Director Louis Leterrier does a good job in keeping the film moving quickly through it’s developments. Not much screen-time is wasted on exposition or scientific jargon (as was the case in the original) and his film is better for it. Although it does not reach the creative heights of the ‘Iron Man’ films, ‘The Incredible Hulk’ is a worthy addition to the Marvel films cannon, and will delight audiences who were turned off by the overly sentimental 2003 film.

Director: Louis Leterrier
Stars: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and Tim Roth