Hulk Smash! Abomination fights! Pretty good movie!

Rating: 7/10 (13 June 2008)

I wasn't sure if this new reboot-cum-remake-cum-sequel to 2003's Ang Lee Hulk would make as good, or better than the predecessor. Turns out that the director Louis Leterrier and writer Zak Penn capture the spirit of the Hulk from the comics with lots of fiery action and panache, if not with the flawed ambition of Lee's vision. It's a bashing, smashing, exciting summer blockbuster, giving what it delivers for the fans of the books and even the cheesy 70s TV series, even if it's not quite a great comic book movie. It's also less substantive than other Marvel movies like Spider-Man and Iron Man.
Actually, in a couple of ways, it's close to being better entry than the previous entry, and not simply because Leterrier is suited for the material. Edward Norton fulfills the role of Banner/Hulk with a level of intelligence and subtlety that is uncommon for a role like this. It's great to see him and Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination face off and fill up their two-dimensional roles to the hilt. William Hurt is also good as the General Ross, after him with any and all means at his disposal but not a clue to how really to stop him (mostly his role consists of commands barked and some glances of concern over his daughter). Only Liv Tyler is only so-so, often pouting or giving the same look of concern or affection for Banner that makes one pine for Jennifer Connelly from the previous Hulk.
There are moments that disappoint or feel unfulfilled (Stan Lee's cameo here is just a plot device for a bit with Banner's blood in a drink where it could've made for something more interesting than a "hey, it's Stan Lee" cameo), and the drive of the story for Leterrier is to load it with music in pretty much every scene. But then there are those terrific scenes of the Hulk doing what many of us love best about the jolly green giant: smashing s*** up to pieces, and having the occasional King Kong beat as the only one who can make him calm down is the girl of his life. Hell, we even get an artistically amazing scene when the Hulk first emerges out of the shadows and darkness in the factory. And by the time Leterrier gets us to the climax, with Hulk and Abomination facing off, it's like eating a box of candy: CGI coated and with the only necessity to keep the action fast and harrowing, but not rushed.
In short, it's an improvement in some ways (not to totally trash Ang Lee's film), and only as satisfying as a big-budget summer popcorn flick can be. It's a fun ride, in short, without too much pretension and good performances (plus, of course, the obligatory "hint" for an Avengers movie in the last scene).