The Incredible Hulk

Film

Action and adventure

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Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

Mon Jun 9 2008

The first thing to say about director Louis Leterrier’s blockbuster monster-movie is that it’s more a stripped-down rerun of Ang Lee’s 2003 outing than a sequel to it. And all the better for it, too. If Leterrier has done a rethink, it is only to simplify and to streamline.

It’s not praising with faint damns to say that this shorter, leaner, less psychologically fixated action adventure, on the whole, makes for a more satisfactory adaptation of the spirit of Stan Lee’s Marvel character than Ang Lee’s earlier attempt to nail the green giant.

In so doing, the director, together with scriptwriter Zak Penn, wisely takes much for granted. The set-up – how Bruce Banner (a suitably unprepossessing Edward Norton) has been turned into an angry green creature in military experiments with gamma rays, injured his scientist lover Betty (Liv Tyler) and is on the run from ex-colleague General Ross (William Hurt) who considers his body US Army property – are cleverly glossed by the time the pre-credit sequence is over.

Likewise, the filmmakers assume their audience will have a base knowledge of the Marvel universe and don’t overplay the crucial subtexts (about the abuse of science, et al). This allows, satisfyingly, a basic three-act adventure to get directly underway – with an exciting extended chase through a Brazilian favela, where Banner/The Hulk is pursued by new villain Blonsky (Tim Roth), an English-educated Russian soldier attached to Ross’s team with abominable, stop-at-nothing ambitions to be a ‘super-soldier’.

There are some longueurs in the middle section – and a feeling of sparing resources for the final high-octane half-hour of Manhattan-set mayhem – but Leterrier takes enough leisure to deliver some neat touches. He covers all the important, if low-key, emotional bases and, finally, and most importantly, kicks kid-pleasing ass in the climactic action sequences.

Author: Wally Hammond

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Release details

UK release:

Fri Jun 13, 2008

Cast and crew

Cast:

Lou Ferrigno, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson, Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Christina Cabot

Cinematography:

Peter Menzies Jr

Director:

Louis Leterrier

Screenwriter:

Edward Norton, Zak Penn

Music:

Craig Armstrong

Cinemas showing The Incredible Hulk

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Prince Charles Cinema

7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BP Show map/details

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  • Address:

    Prince Charles Cinema 7 Leicester Place
    London
    WC2H 7BP

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  • Sat Jun 22:

    • 21:00
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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (24 ratings)

  • It was quite good film. Compared to the old one, its God, because that one was just AWFUL D: i liked it but the fight at the end was abit too boyish for me : P still its more a guys film which is cute...kind of.

    L X Fri May 29 2009
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Liked this MUCH better than the last one. I wondered why they were making another one, but since the last one sucked as bad as it did, I gathered that maybe they wanted to redeem themselves. I thought it was funny and loved seeing Lou in it. the choice of the "new" Hulk was interesting, but he did a very good job. loved it!

    monica Tue Jul 15 2008
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • ok i suppose but think previous actor who played banner suited role much better as did the other betty.hulk looked much better but dont they know the madder he gets the stronger he gets he is also virtually indestructable come on he strangles abomination with a chain he would break a chain easily just wished people would do there homework on the hulk before they make a film .they can make spiderman ,batman,and iron man true to the comics but one of the best marvel comic heroes and they cant get him right

    paul Sat Jul 12 2008
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • Whilst a huge improvement on the previous Hulk film, this film is a little ridiculous. But I liked it. The Brazilian chase sequences were energetic and dynamic and worthy of any Bourne film. Never quite bought Liv Tyler as a scientist but I could her character and norton's had a history. Tim Roth hams it up fantistically and there are a handful if laugh out loud lines. I think the Anger Management message is on the whole a positive one. The unexpected Coda at the ending was a nice touch which fans of this genre Im sure will appreciate - dont walk out the cinema too soon or you'll miss it.

    Madison Sun Jun 29 2008
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  • IS THIS ABOUT HULK HOGAN?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    HULK HOGAn Sun Jun 29 2008
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  • after reading the reviews im going to take the plunge and see it anyway im bring my neighbours dog with me lol hoping to score high!! watch this space!

    pooh Sun Jun 29 2008
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  • Much better than the first Hulk, in the First hulk, he didnt look mean he looked more like a babey but in the new one his muscles are more ripped and it shows that he truelly is angry. In parts you have to listen closely but its a damn film to get any film you gota listen closely, the fights are great, there is no mercy. Definately a dont try this at home movie but still really good film for kids.

    Casey Sat Jun 28 2008
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • great ending

    Rexyb Tue Jun 24 2008
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  • Im gonna watch this film today. There is a lot of mixed reviews so i dont know wether to watch it or not. Anyway, EACH TO HIS OWN. (For the dumb people that means everyone has their own opinion)

    spongebobsquarepants Sun Jun 22 2008
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  • So can I take my son or not - dear reviewer apart from the bla bla bla this vital bit of information would have been nice what is the age - rating ?

    Martin Kehlre Sat Jun 21 2008
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