A not-bad comic book revamp

Rating: 6/10 (5 August 2016)

This sequel to Ang Lee's 2003 HULK revamp is brought to us by Louis Leterrier, the man responsible for the highly ludicrous (but entertaining) TRANSPORTER 2. THE INCREDIBLE HULK is equally ludicrous but not quite as entertaining, although it does all right for what it is: a simple, shallow, effects-driven adventure aimed at bringing the comic-book storyline into the 21st century. It's certainly a lot more fun than the deadly dull Ang Lee attempt, a hodge podge of plot lines and events seemingly cobbled together from various different movies.
The first third involves Edward Norton (replacing Eric Bana as Bruce Banner) hiding out in South America, pursued by government agents in various foot chase scenes reminiscent of THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (although nowhere near as good). The second third moves back to the USA for some schmaltzy love stuff involving the terribly insipid Liv Tyler, whose presence screams of miscasting. The final third goes for all-out action as two super-beasts pummel each other into submission in the streets of a bustling city.
I'm not a great fan of superhero movies but THE INCREDIBLE HULK passes the time readily enough. Edward Norton is a better actor than the film warrants, and he kept me watching despite my reservations. I thought there were too many scenes involving his green alter ego, and the CGI varies between impressive and quite crude. A lengthy bit with the creature and Tyler in a rain-bound cave smacks of KING KONG without any of the pathos.
Tim Roth is on hand playing the movie's villain, and he's pretty good, filling his character with unmentioned depravity despite the sometimes lacklustre script. William Hurt is Liv Tyler's dad, and doesn't have much to go with. There are various scenery-smashing interludes involving the big green guy, but they go over the top with the CGI and are quite boring compared to the moments with the human actors. The ending is similar to IRON MAN in that it involves two CGI creations beating each other up, but manages to be a little bit more involved than that catastrophe.