"The Incredible Hulk" is what happens when filmmakers try to tell a good story while at the same time placating fans who want to see super powerful heroes beating up bad guys and causing considerable property damage.
It is a precarious mixed creative cocktail that in this case leaves moviegoers with an odd taste in their mouths.
He builds up the suspense from subtle to all of a sudden more dramatic events that start with Bruce Banner trying very hard to keep the The Hulk from reemerging to ultimately being unable to control his inner green demon, all for want of a drop of blood. It is almost enough to convey the tragedy and inner strength that comes with living with such a crutch.
Even when the green beast emerges, only shadowy portions of The Hulk and the consequences of his destructive power are showcased. A less creative director would have simply shown The Hulk in its full glory tossing opponents into the air in random directions, making his appearance throughout the film hackneyed.
Out in the open, The Hulk is a vast special effects improvement over the green, ever expanding and contracting gelatinous mass prominently featured in Ang Lee's "Hulk," and the director exploits this fact to pit the uncontrollable monster against armed military hummers, helicopters and The Abominaton that Emil Blonski (Tim Roth) is desperate to become.
Especially impressive is the story's intricacies such as Banner practicing breathing exercises so as to stifle adrenaline-charged transformations, which becomes a personal obstacle during a chase sequence in the structural maze that is a Rio slum, what he remembers when transformed into The Hulk, and why radiation exposure has not killed him.
What significantly detracts from "The Incredible Hulk" is that considerable time is spent setting up something akin to a "King King Kong vs. Godzilla" showdown in downtown Manhattan. Then, moviegoers are lead to believe that Banner can suddenly control The Hulk without so much as an explanation. Maybe the breathing exercises paid off, after all.
Norton convincingly portrays the sparing anguish Banner feels in choosing to stay away from the woman he loves instead of running back home to her, which the plot has him do in order to seek out the means to find a cure. His naturally humble demeanor lends itself well to the role when the time comes to portray the intense urgency of being a wanted man ala the premise of the famed late '70s TV series.
Everyone else in the cast is essentially relegated to less than supporting roles to make room for the action, jokes that appeal to loyal fans and nods to "The Avengers" film Marvel Studios is gearing up to make. Lou Ferrigno's Hulk voice cameo is only three words long.
Roth's performance, particularly his crazed facial expressions, serve him well in portraying a typical one-dimensional villain seeking out more power than he already has.
William Hurt's General Ross does his best portraying a limited character who has the same ambitious nature, except that it is implied that he wants to stop The Hulk from ever again hurting his daughter and as a super weapon with which to save America from its enemies.
Liv Tyler adds all that the script dictates Betty Ross be but the owner of a pair of pouty lips to give the title character someone for which to pine.
As a whole, "The Incredible Hulk" is a good popcorn film that tried to be something more, but gave into the pressure to let its title monster out of its emotional cage to run amok. Maybe a sequel could build on its failed promise.
Popcorn rating:(4 out of 5 pieces)
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