When we last left our heroic green giant back in the 2003 film, Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) was on the run somewhere in South America and hiding away from Thunderbolt Ross and the U.S. Army. Five years later, a lot has changed. For starters, the Ang Lee film has nothing to do with the new one. Oddly, the new film opens with…huh, guess what? Bruce Banner (now Ed Norton) on the lam somewhere in Brazil, hiding away from General George ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross and the U.S. Army. In any case, aside from Lou Ferrigno’s cameo as another security guard, that’s where any and all likeness to the previous film ends. I loved the 2003 film’s cerebral/internal character study.

I loved this film, directed by Transporter 2’s Louis Leterrier even better.

One of the biggest changes to the new film is the inclusion of references to not just the comics ‘Hulk’ originates from, with supporting characters as Doc Samspon and Samuel Sterns (who may return in a sequel), the Marvel Universe crossovers (Shield, Iron Man, Captain America references) but also the 70’s TV series. Every time one of them cropped on screen, I had a smile on my face. Two early tips of the hat is obvious, another -a wonderful surprise itself- is not. An added plus is finding out Lou Ferrigno also voiced the few lines “The Hulk” speaks, which isn’t a lot but it adds something for the fans. But then there’s also the transformation itself, green contacts and all. This is really the best of both worlds. In one hand, a comic book adaptation. In the other, an updated remake of the TV show. Nice.

The footchase that sets up Banner/Hulk against adversary Neil Blonsky (Tim Roth) -who is eager to meet Banner’s alter ego on an equal playing field as much as possible despite a possible side effect- is well done and even though the big showdown between Hulk and Blonsky the Abomination seems to be a bit rushed, I was into it. It was suffice enough where the audience I viewed the film with cheered the antics onscreen. It’s been a long time where I have seen such a reaction from an audience. When Hulk said ‘Smash’ or did any smashing, the masses around me had an early Christmas.

Yet, there were a number of things which I didn’t like about the movie itself. The most notable being Liv Tyler, who replaces Jennifer Connelly as Betty Ross. I didn’t mind Miss Tyler showing off her thigh, but I could not help but notice that her character isn’t in the film a whole lot. So much so, I wondered what the character was doing there in the film in the first place. I have to make a small judgment call here too- the character of Betty also wasn’t just as compelling with Bruce Banner, but also between her father, the “nasty” General who wants Hulk’s DNA for a weapon of some sort. In the Ang Lee film, I felt the conflicts between these characters was a bit more fleshed out and realized. I understand for the need for superheroes and super villains to cause maximum property damage. As far as popcorn goes, the new Hulk does not disappoint in the least. But the reboot and retcon comes with a price, and the characters feel that sting.

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The Incredible Hulk
Starring:Ed Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and Tim Blake Nelson.