If “Iron Man” has been described as a comic book movie that you don’t have to be a comic book fan to like, “The Incredible Hulk” is a comic book movie that you have to be a comic book fan to like. That’s because this movie is mainly about action – lots of action. And with so much action, there’s not a lot of room for plot. So the storyline revolves around three confrontations between the Hulk and his arch-rival. The first encounter happens in a soft drink factory in Brazil, where Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is working and trying to keep a low profile. A tactical assault team, led by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), is sent in to capture Banner, but they meet the Hulk instead. After the Hulk smashes out of the factory and escapes into the jungle, Banner heads back to the US, where he reunites with his love, Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Meanwhile, General Ross (William Hurt) decides to inject Blonsky with a serum that makes him superhuman and send him after Banner again. The next skirmish occurs at a university where Blonsky is a better adversary, but still no match for the Hulk. The third and final knock-down-drag-out fight happens in downtown New York. Blonsky has become the Abomination and in fitting comic book fashion, this is a battle between two computer graphics.
Edward Norton is effective as the anguished doctor with a Jekyll and Hyde personality disorder. Like Robert Downey, Jr., he brings a wealth of talent to his character. Too bad the script is so weak. Tyler doesn’t have much to do, but there is chemistry between Betty and Banner. As Blonsky, Tim Roth gets to sneer a lot and overact, which, for a movie about a comic book character, may not be a bad thing. Lou Ferrigno and Robert Downey, Jr. have cameos. “Hulk smash!” That pretty much sums up the movie. (6/13/08)
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