Review - The Incredible Hulk

Ang Lee's 2003 take on the big green brute was a strange affair, a methodical look at a man desperately grappling with the demons within him while chucking in some action sequences where a big CGI monster runs around throwing tanks at helicopters. Although the film was a misfire it at least tried to do something different and had decent performances from Eric Bana and a scenery chewing Nick Nolte. This film is not a sequel to Ang Lee's effort but instead a retelling of the Hulk story. Sadly it's a rather bland and unoriginal affair which doesn't take full advantage of its talented cast.

Edward Norton plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk. The film opens with a brief recap of how the unfortunate Bruce takes part in a experiment that goes wrong, which leaves him turning into a big green brute whenever he gets angry. We join Bruce in Brazil, where he is searching for an antidote for his unusual condition. Unbeknownst to him he is being chased by the fanatical General Ross (William Hurt) who wants to capture Bruce for experimentation in creating a new breed of super soldier. Ross has brought in ruthless and slightly unhinged soldier Emil Blonksy (Tim Roth) to help capture Bruce. They eventually find Bruce who promptly goes on the run and ends up back in the States, and running into his former girlfriend Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) who was present at the fateful experiment. Bruce continues his work to cure himself of the Hulk while trying to avoid the clutches of General Ross and Blonsky, who eventually becomes a hulking mutant himself called The Abomination.

The plot is straight forward and dispenses with the character development element that Ang Lee's movie went for, instead concentrating on wham bam action sequences. Sadly the action just isn't very exciting. Like in Ang Lee's film the Hulk is completely CGI generated, but he isn't very convincing. His first appearance is shrouded mainly in darkness which actually works quite well, but a big daylight scene in the middle of the movie looks unnatural. The CGI overall is mediocre which detracts from the enjoyment of the action scenes. The final showdown between the Hulk and the Abomination is fairly well done and exciting in parts, but it's a rather dull slog before we get there.

The acting ranges from average to poor. Edward Norton, who also had a hand in the script, is not a very engaging Bruce Banner and comes off as a bit of a dullard. Tim Roth, normally quite an intense actor, is oddly subdued as Blonsky, and never seems as dangerous as his character implies. William Hurt does a good job as General Ross, giving a suitably cartoony performance which plays well. He also sports a rather fabulous moustache. Liv Tyler is largely awful as Betty, providing an astonishingly wooden and wimpy performance. She isn't served well by the script but that's no excuse for such a poor performance.

This film really should have been called “The Mediocre Hulk.” The script and story, credited to Zak Penn, serves little purpose other than to lurch from one action scene to the next. Director Louis Leterrier seems to have a knack for directing action but is let down by poor special effects. A special effects free chase across Brazilian rooftops works well, but nearly every recent action film has a free running scene so it comes off a little tired. Even the music is unmemorable except for a nice but brief little nod to the Incredible Hulk TV show theme. Considering all these factors along with the average acting it's hard to recommend The Incredible Hulk.