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 Although you might not think it due to the torrential rain, summer is upon us and with it a slew of superhero blockbusters hoping to make us go “whoa!” and “oooh!” with their dazzling special effects and top-notch action. IRON MAN kicked it all off with style and substance, offering up an origin story as meaty as SPIDERMAN and as enjoyable as X-MEN – Marvel struck gold once again. With THE INCREDIBLE HULK, though, fans began to wonder if Marvel had it in them to strike twice in the same summer.
Less brain, more brawn, this reboot of our loveable green giant flexes its muscle with some impressive set-pieces and a likeable, if somewhat underused main cast. Taking snippets from the comics, Bruce is on the run after a very slick credit sequence gets us up to speed on how he became the gamma monster feared by his colleagues – most meeting a bloody end – and the world. The plot then places Bruce back where it all began where he bumps into ex-tottie Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) where he must escape her father’s clutches and the onslaught of militia that’s after him.
Certainly superior to Ang Lee’s curious adaptation of the Hulk, action enthusiasts will enjoy the carnage on display. While the finale proves to be underwhelming (akin to a videogame cut scene), previous skirmishes (especially the one on campus) make up for it. Just. The almost “catch the pigeon” storyline means there’s only minimum angst and while this steroid Hulk looks a bit naff, at least he doesn’t share any resemblance to Ang’s version who looked like he needed a Kleenex to wipe away those tears every five minutes.
Ultimately a let down for those seeking a bit of depth (i.e. yours truly), THE INCREDIBLE HULK works on a no-brainer basis – the character interaction only serves as a pre-cursor to the spectacle, which is a shame, and the denouement, as previously mentioned, is a little disappointing. BUT, if you’re feeling a bit on the numb side mentally, unable to form a proper thought and want to see things smash, crash and torn to shreds, well, this one is for you! If you’re looking for a bit more than I suggest you nip to the cinema if you’ve not had a chance to see IRON MAN, or else wait a few weeks till DARK KNIGHT comes along.
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