The Incredible Hulk ***
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson
Director: Louis Letettier
Running Length: 1:52
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Dr. Bruce Banner (Norton) is in hiding in South America, searching for a cure to a hulk sized problem he has. An accident at the factory where he works alerts General Ross (Hurt) to Banner’s location, and he sends a team led by Emil Blonsky (Roth) to capture him. He is able to elude the team by turning into the Hulk, and heads back to America to retrieve data from his accident that his ex-girlfriend Betty Ross (Tyler) has. Meanwhile, General Ross has Blonsky injected with a super soldier serum to help him capture Banner, not counting on Blonsky being somewhat unstable.

Unlike many, I was a fan of Ang Lee’s “Hulk”. “The Incredible Hulk” reboots the franchise and takes a more action oriented approach that will satisfy most fanboys out there. This film works in different ways than its predecessor, and brings us all one step closer to an eventual “Avengers” movie. Norton is adequate as Banner, but his acting skill is somewhat lost on the part. No one wants to see Banner onscreen, only the Hulk. Tyler is forgettable as Betty, and there is minimal chemistry with Norton. Hurt and Roth are both excellent in their roles as well as Tim Blake Nelson as the mysterious “Mr. Blue”. Nods to the TV show are there in appearances by Lou Ferrigno and even Bill Bixby. The effects are good, but not great. Overall, “The Incredible Hulk” is worth seeing, and enjoyable. It does not reach the lever of “Iron Man” earlier this year, but is a solid entry into the Marvel lineup. Well worth seeing, if only for Rober Downey, Jr.’s appearance as Tony Stark.