Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Incredible Hulk
2008
**
Director: Louis Leterrier
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, William Hurt

Many people found Ang Lee's Hulk (2003) to be too clever or too silly. This superhero movie reboots the character for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and introduces a new leading man, although by the time Hulk reappears in The Avengers (2012) Edward Norton was replaced with Mark Ruffalo. This origin story is covered during the opening titles, and we find Bruce Banner hiding in Brazil, where he tries to avoid another rage attack and find a cure for his condition. Back home, General Ross wants to capture Hulk and harness his superhuman abilities to military use. Action hack Louis Leterrier delivers a nuts and bolts superhero action movie, which is as dumb as a bag of hammers. When the soldiers, scene after scene, shoot at Hulk with no discernible effect, military intelligence definitely seems like a contradiction in terms. In the meanwhile, Banner's love interest Betty Ross does her utmost to get in harm's way. Like Iron Man, another Marvel picture, the film ends with an overlong finale in which the hero fights an evil version of himself for 20-30 minutes.