Why has the Hulk returned? Mostly to get him in the same Marvel universe as other superheroes, spawn an avalanche of serum-induced action franchises, and sell a few more action figures. Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, is still searching for a cure to get rid of the beast within. A minor accident alerts General Ross, who wants his blood to create a legion of Hulk-styled super-soldiers and before you can say ‘You won’t like me when I’m angry’, Hulk-2 is supercharged for action. He’s bad, of course, so who’ll save New York? Why am I asking the question? Pleasing a pantheon of Hulk fans, comic geeks and Marvel stalwarts has set Leterrier for a mighty fall. He finds an amiable tone and ticks off a list of must-dos: cameo’s by TV’s Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno plus a running gag about stretchy pants. It’s cute for a while, but quickly dissolves in a silly sea of rampant digital effects, Liv Tyler’s thanklessly formula fem-in-distress, and Norton’s struggling performance. It doesn’t help anyone that Hulk looks like a refugee from his own video game. Not that The Incredible Hulk is all bad – there’s passable entertainment in the valiant struggle. However when he moans to be left alone, it’s distressing to realise that no one ever listens.
Starring Edward Norton, William Hurt
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