Incredible Hulk, The

Stars: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson

Director: Louis Leterrier

Stung by the comparative failure of the first Hulk film, Hollywood has understandably settled for an all-action, fast-paced sequel with fewer demands on the grey matter. It might not please Hulk purists, but it is a more entertaining film.

Bruce Banner (Norton) is hiding out in Brazil, hunted by the US army led by Ross (Hurt in wig and bristling moustache), who wants to extract the Hulk gene from him and use it as a weapon. Cornered by both a SWAT team headed by Blonsky (Roth) and local heavies out for his blood, Banner turns into the 10-foot green giant known as The Hulk, decimates his enemies and wakes up (as himself) in Guatemala.

Where he gets the money to buy clothes is one of many improbabilities the plot glosses over, but at any rate he heads for America, reuniting with his sweetheart (Tyler) and searching for a scientist (Nelson) he believes can help him.

Meanwhile Blonsky, fed "super-soldier' hormones by Ross, is turning into The Abomination...

Non-stop action and excitement will keep the undemanding moviegoer very happy here, although there are a few dodgy special effects, notably a 'falling from plane' shot that even Hitchcock might have disowned.

A special guest appearance at the end by another 'superhero' star hints at a second sequel.

David Quinlan

USA/Canada 2008. UK Distributor: Universal. Technicolor.
112 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 10 Jun 2008