The Incredible Hulk: Review By Josh

Though a vastly different film from Ang Lee's 2003 version, the 2008 film doesn't manage to be any better or any worse. While Lee's HULK was a more nuanced character study (and worked in that respect, for the most part), Leterrier's version is an action flick that turns Bruce Banner into Jason Bourne or Richard Kimble.

There are a few welcome nods to the television series as well as the obligatory cameo by Stan Lee, which add a nice touch, but the film is not without fault. While it succeeds in being entertaining, it falters by being too action-heavy at the expense of a compelling plot or a decent script. The final battle between Hulk and Abomination looks great, but I couldn't help thinking that every time they show Hulk's face in the movie the stiffness of it makes him hard to take seriously. The animation in the 2003 film, on the other hand, had the character showing believable emotionality. Hulk does smash a lot here, but the problem is he's not that interesting while doing it.

Where the movie does succeed, though, is in it's lead actor. While Liv Tyler and Tim Roth are mostly wasted talent here, Edward Norton (and even William Hurt) is serviceable. While I've nothing against Eric Bana, I'd be curious to have seen Ang Lee's movie with Norton in the lead role.

Ultimately, both recent film versions of the Hulk are simply decent. The problem with a Hulk movie is the Hulk himself. In the end he just might not be an interesting enough character to carry a really good movie. If nothing else, Hulk should be a great addition to an ensemble cast when he appears in the Avengers rather than a lackluster main character.