This "Hulk," directed by Louis Leterrier, will be a hit, no doubt, but it’s quite a bit darker than "Iron Man." It also comes with some baggage, as star Edward Norton attempted to rewrite the original script by Zak Penn. Norton does not get screen credit for his efforts, although I’m told that many of his revisions are felt in this final version.
Norton plays Bruce Banner, the scientist who somehow becomes infected with a concoction that turns him into the beastly Hulk. William Hurt is his nemesis, an army general whose daughter, played by Liv Tyler, is in love with both Bruce and the Hulk.
All the actors are fine, and Tyler, especially, brings a welcome jolt to the patented Marvel superhero’s patient girlfriend. Tim Roth is well-cast as a villain who attempts to out-Hulk Banner in several fights, and Tim Blake Nelson makes an excellent ally as a scientist who thinks he can help Banner. Both Tims are underrated presences in studio films and are refreshing to watch.
There are some nice touches. The movie starts with Banner watching actor Bill Bixby in "The Courtship of Eddie’s Father." The very likeable, late Bixby played Banner in the "Hulk" TV series. Also, Lou Ferrigno, the Hulk from that show, gets a cameo. So does Marvel creator Stan Lee. All that gives the film a comfortable introduction.
The new film has nothing whatsoever to do with Ang Lee’s failed "Hulk" from 2003. That movie was so unmemorable that no one at Tuesday night’s showing could recall who played the main roles.
Norton, like Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man" and Christian Bale as Batman, ushers in this new generation of the thinking man’s superhero. Unlike the others, he is not slam-dunk handsome, but that doesn’t seem to matter.
"Incredible Hulk" ends with a surprise twist. Maybe you’ve heard about it, but I’m not going to give it away. All you need to know is you must stay till the end of the film to see it. What it means, exactly, is unknown, but rest assured, sequels are on their way.
