Packs a punch (and not just fight-wise)

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2008)

At the very beginning there were some issues with the projector, so the opening title sequence was sadly never seen in its "full glory". But once the movie got rolling, it was surprisingly captivating.
Edward Norton really gives us his Hulk-film - and as involved with every facet of it, he delivered a damn good one. The story is a simple one - even if you're not a fan, you could probably tell us what it's about in less than five minutes. But here it's (finally...) told with characters you feel for and care about. The humor is almost subtle, not overplayed, so it's funny without getting "goofy". The score and emotion is also beautiful - has there ever been a better suited main theme? It also has little in-nods (including four cameos of sorts and three other Marvel references) which is great to see.
Edward Norton as David Banner plays to the part that matters. Loneliness, isolation, slight obsession (maybe desperation). He's picking up what Bill Bixby did so great, and paying homage to it. Liv Tyler is usually all smiles, but when her emotions get going, they hit you where it matters. I was skeptical about Tim Roth, but for the most part he does just what he should be doing.
The action is loud and frantic, and the mostly CGI fight scenes were probably the biggest letdown of the whole thing. For me it's really worked out as a dramatic story with action, not an action movie with hints of drama. So after going through it with the characters, you mostly just find "oh, it's time for another fight I guess". (But I'll admit a few moments in particular satisfied the 8-year old Hulk-fan within).
If your choice is between The Happening and this, you might find as I did, that (maybe surprisingly) The Incredible Hulk tells a really involving and exciting story, while The Happening remains pretty hollow.
Give this not-so-jolly green giant a chance, folks. It's a truly entertaining movie-going experience.