The Incredible Hulk

Rating:

* * *

Verdict:

Efficient reinvention of angry superhero franchise.

Ang Lee's 2003 take on the non-jolly green giant attempted to deliver psychology over physiology. Which, as it turned out to the comic book faithful, was brave to the point of foolish.

And it wasn't helped by a Hulk who sometimes resembled a bouncy castle caught in a strong wind.

The new Hulk is much more - if still not fully - convincing. He's a meaner shade of green, has some real weight to his digital presence and really has quite lovely hair which ruffles in the wind, just so ...

He's also got a busy schedule ahead of him. French director Leterrier sets a breathless pace right from an opening title sequence which revises how scientist Bruce Banner (Norton) became the big guy, which makes the rest of this unfold like a sequel to a movie that wasn't.

Soon, after Banner's Brazilian shanty town hideaway is discovered, we're bouncing across the rooftops in a way that suggests the

Bourne Ultimatum

was screening on the flight down to Rio.

Then it's quickly back to the US where Banner drags in his estranged scientist sweetheart Betsy Ross (an effective Tyler) to help him cure his Mr Hyde tendencies, while her ruthless General father wants Banner back to be a weapon of mass destruction.

That means Ross must give his most psycho trooper (Tim Roth) a bit of the Hulk's own medicine, which risks some spectacular side - and special - effects, leading to the inevitable superhero-nemesis battle royale.

Norton parted company with the production after filming when he didn't get his wish that this be a more character-driven movie.

If he had it might just have prolonged this efficient, mildly inspired action romp with more talky bits.

The scenes where his Banner is battling his inner demon - whether doing a King Kong on a forest ledge with Betsy or out shopping for new stretchy duds - convince of his particular turmoil.

But throughout this, he's still playing second fiddle to his ill-tempered super-vandal alter-ego in a movie which is brutally efficient at getting its designated job - best summed up in the line "Hulk! Smash!" - done.

Russell Baillie

Cast:

Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth

Director:

Louis Leterrier

Running time:

114 mins

Rating:

M

Screening:

SkyCity, Hoyts, Berkeley cinemas