Hulk smash!

You’re probably thinking, “They’re making another Hulk movie? Didn’t they just make one?” Yes, they did, but just try not to think about it too much and go see “The Incredible Hulk.” This maybe-a-sequel-maybe-a-remake is several Hulk-sized leaps and bounds away from Ang Lee’s much-lamented 2003 attempt. Instead of a long, boring psycho-drama where audiences checked their watches while waiting for the Jolly Green Giant, director Louis Leterrier gives the people exactly what they want: Hulk action, and plenty of it.

The film starts with a quick montage giving a re-tooled origin for the Hulk, one inspired by the original TV series (a series that has a heavy influence on the entire film), then cuts to a crowded Brazilian city where Banner (Edward Norton) has been living, trying to control the beast inside. Once the military finds him, all hell breaks loose and the movie takes off.

The rest of the film centers around Banner’s attempt to elude General “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt), with help from Ross’ daughter and Banner’s sweetheart Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Toward the end, he must face off with a “hulked” up Emil Blonksy (Tim Roth) who turns into the monstrous Abomination in a car-crunching smackdown in the streets of New York.

Wild action, great fight scenes and tons of destruction are just what the doctor ordered to inject some life into this franchise. (A last-second cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man didn’t hurt too much either.) Succeeding where the previous one failed, this movie keeps audiences almost constantly riveted, with only a few parts falling into the territory of “let’s get a popcorn refill.”

Norton gives a great performance, managing to make Banner an interesting and compelling character to watch, no easy task for an actor when most of the audience is just waiting for a big green guy to come in and upstage you. Liv Tyler is more attractive and talented than I’ve seen in most of her movies, managing to make the love story subplot only slightly boring. The real treat, however, is Tim Roth showing off his seemingly endless acting chops, as the villain.

So with Marvel Studio’s second movie under its belt, it’s not hard to see why it’s the best caretakers of these comic book properties. Marvel seems to know what the audience wants – mainstream and fanboys alike – and are determined to give it to them, without anyone else’s vision getting in the way (which will keep us from another “Spider-Man 3” disaster).

This film was wonderful, much better than I expected, and easily on par with May’s “Iron Man.” It has me looking forward to future Marvel projects like “Thor” and “Captain America,” and I’m sure they won’t disappoint. So, at least for this weekend, “Hulk” is strongest one there is.