The Incredible Hulk

Let's clear this up right from the offset, 'The Incredible Hulk' is not a remake of Ang Lee's 'Hulk' (2003), neither is it a sequel, the film is billed as a reboot of the franchise - which quite frankly means that it is a little bit of both. The film picks up five years after its disappointing predecessor, complete with a brand new cast, director and slightly altered back story. Confused? Don't worry, it's easier from here on in.

To it's credit the film isn't concerned with what has come before, Hulk's past being explained fleetingly yet effectively in flashes during the opening credits. We are introduced to Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), alter-ego of the titular character, hiding in Brazil from General Ross (William Hurt) who wishes to use him as a military weapon. The early scenes set the plot up well and introduce the Hulk early which will delight fans frustrated with the last film.

Norton deals with his role capably but one can't help but feel short-changed by an actor who has played the dual-personality role so well in 'Fight Club' amongst others, yet the script gives him little chance to convey this inner-conflict. Things really take a turn downhill when love-interest Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) is introduced. Tyler and Norton enjoy little to no chemistry, their dialogue seems forced and the occasional attempts at humour fall dreadfully flat. Tyler is distinctly insipid and struggles to match the efforts of her fellow cast-members.

Banner transforms on four occasions during the course of the film and provides us with three prolonged sequences of Hulk-smashing action. Hulk's nemesis is The Abomination (Tim Roth), alter ego of the stereotypical English/Russian villain Emil Blonsky. It is their final showdown which provides the best action, including the piece de resistance as Hulk uses a car as boxing gloves. But here in lies the films greatest flaw, neither The Incredible Hulk of The Abomination look even slightly like the actors playing them, consequently all we are treated to is two large CG-blobs having a big of a ruck on the streets of New York.

Bringing Hulk to the big screen, as proved before, is a difficult job and director Louis Letterrier has made an admirable attempt but yet again Hulk fails to shine, albeit for different reasons. Die-hard fans of the comic book and television shows may feel more satisfied with this version but for most viewers this will likely disappoint. Perhaps it is time Marvel accepted that although Hulk is a fantastic character with copious potential, that potential does not translate to the big screen.

Verdict: Hat's off to all involved for trying something different and having the guts to change things completely. Commiserations for not pulling it off.