The film Text copyright (c) Filmverdict 2006-present. Any film titles and artwork used are copyright of their respective owners.
The decision to drop the usual "Incredible" prefix from Ang Lee's poorly received but underrated Hulk gave an indication of the direction the filmmakers were taking the story - it was, first and foremost, a psychological drama. Similarly, the fact that round 2 restores the "Incredible" part to the title suggests that this film is intended to be an action-oriented affair. The recruitment of action specialist Louis Leterrier, the man behind the Transporter films, to helm only further reinforces the emphasis that Marvel want to place on wham-bang pyrotechnics in their franchise reboot. Fortunately, however, any fears that this would be a brainless exercise in spectacle over substance can be discarded, because while there is plenty of (impressive) action, the film does not lose sight of its characters or plot. The central thrust of the narrative takes the classic formula of a man on the run from the law, and this drives the story forward at a good pace.
The fact that Marvel want to distance this instalment from its 2003 predecessor is apparent in the fact that none of the participants in the earlier film return, including its cast (who all did a sterling job last time). Thankfully, Marvel have continued their Iron Man approach and gone for good actors rather than big names, and there would be few better suited to playing the conflicted Bruce Banner than Ed Norton. There's nothing here that really stretches Norton's acting muscles, but he is extremely watchable and convincing, and a satisfying replacement for Eric Bana. Sadly, however, Liv Tyler is no Jennifer Connelly, and this time love interest Betty Ross lacks any real gravitas (and Tyler makes a less believable science professor, too). To be fair, she has relatively little to work with, and she possesses decent chemistry with Norton. The actor who gets to have most fun is Tim Roth, playing an ex-SAS soldier who's recruited by the US military to take on the Hulk and forges a rivalry with him, culminating in the much-hyped climactic New York City smackdown.
If the final set-piece doesn't quite reach the epic level that had been promised, it's still a superbly mounted sequence that really gets the adrenaline pumping. (It's precisely this sort of mano-a-mano face-off that everyone was really clamouring for in a Superman film, with Hulk's adversary, the Abomination, looking just like the Superman comic villain Doomsday.) An early action sequence, in which Banner is pursued across the rooftops of a Rio favela, feels more like Bourne than a comic book film, and the variety is welcome. At the other end of the spectrum is a university campus Hulk-versus-army fight that impresses with its scale and inventiveness. It is in the action scenes where The Incredible Hulk's CGI really shines, with the film's pair of monsters having a creditable feeling of weight and presence to them. However, although the Hulk's skin and muscles seem to have more texture to them this time, they still haven't nailed the emotions. Any time the Hulk's face is in close-up it gives the game away, making the occasional quiet moment less successful. There are echoes of the King Kong-Ann Darrow relationship in the scenes invoving Betty and the Hulk, but Leterrier's big green guy cannot compete with Peter Jackson's giant gorilla on a CGI level.
Ultimately, though, on a purely entertainment basis, The Incredible Hulk is a definite success. The much-emphasised action sequences deliver the goods, the pacing is slick and efficient (Leterrier has commented that as much as 70 minutes of material hit the cutting room floor, but there's no noticeable chopped-up feel), there's an enjoyable but not overpowering sense of humour throughout, and the acting is of a high standard. Importantly, although the film clearly distances itself from Ang Lee's original, it does not completely ignore it and still works as a sequel, with the story continuing where it was left at the end of the 2003 film; both can be enjoyed on their own distinct merits. Marvel can rest assured that they have successfully restarted a potentially highly lucrative franchise.
The summary
A highly entertaining comic book action film that delivers plenty of bang for your buck. Is it "Incredible", though? Not quite, but it's a worthy attempt.
Agree? Disagree? Say so in the Guestbook!