The Incredible Hulk

Cinema review
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
Release date 13 June 2008 (UK)

Bruce Banner (Norton) attempts to keep his rage under control by lying low in Brazil. But when the army tracks him down, it’s not long before he comes over all green…

With Ang Lee’s arty vision of the angry green giant proving box office poison, The Transporter’s Louis Leterrier has been brought on board to give the franchise a thoroughly multiplex-friendly reboot. If the result is an unashamedly straightforward superhero actioner, it is at least one with a wonderfully muddy visual style and some superb sequences of million-dollar carnage.

At first glance, the blockbuster-shy Edward Norton might appear an odd choice for Bruce Banner and his monstrous alter ego. Yet in many ways Norton’s background in serious, moody fare like American History X and 25th Hour makes him perfectly suited to play the scientist consumed by emotional turmoil and suppressed rage. It’s a less showy role than Iron Man’s Tony Stark, but Norton makes for a likeable and frequently amusing fugitive hero – in fact, the character proves to be far more engaging in human form than when his grumpy inner monster is unleashed.

Elsewhere, there are disappointingly few surprises. There’s a scattering of stirring King Kong-style moments as Bruce’s scientist sweetheart Betty Ross (Tyler) attempts to connect emotionally with the visceral monster, but for the most part Tyler is given extraordinary little to do other than quietly fret. In terms of villains – always a crucial element in this kind of film – The Incredible Hulk does make more of an effort than Ang Lee’s movie, but they’re still a pretty underwhelming duo: William Hurt signs on for the obligatory veteran thespian-playing-scowling-general role, while a weirdly hammy Tim Roth as super-soldier Emil Blonksy is kind of fun but sorely lacking in memorable dialogue (unless you count occasionally growling that he’s “pissed off”).

As the Transporter movies have shown, Letterier can be relied upon to deliver in the action stakes and, if the movie is never truly as over-the-top as you might hope, there are moments that come close – a breathless early chase through the narrow alleys of a favela, Hulk fending off radiation-pounding tanks on a university campus, an amusing glimpse of Hulk employing quasi-parkour moves across rooftops.

Thankfully the CGI has been much improved upon since the 2003 effort. Hulk himself still isn’t quite photo-realistic, but at least the use of motion capture to graft on Norton’s facial expressions assures that he’s more than just a joyless computer effect. Yet in common with many contemporary blockbusters, the whirlwind of explosions and effects does eventually become slightly deadening. Hulk’s downtown face-off against the formidable Abomination should be dazzling stuff. But with similar sequences of big-things-smashing-up-the-city witnessed in Transformers, Iron Man and Cloverfield, it can't help but feel strangely clichéd despite being convincingly mounted.

Despite its faults, there is much to enjoy in The Incredible Hulk, including the distinct, immediate camerawork and some amusing fan-pleasing cameos (watch out for 70s TV Hulk Lou Ferrigno, who also provides the green hero's "Hulk smash!" line). It may be less intelligent than the 2003 effort, but it's a good deal more fun. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 7/10
The Incredible Hulk doesn’t quite smash, but it’s an entertaining pop take on the bad-tempered superhero.