Movie Review: The Incredible Hulk

Synopsis: Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is living in the shadows, scouring the planet for an antidote. However, the warmongers who dream of abusing his powers won't leave him alone, nor will his need to be with the only woman he has ever loved, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Upon returning to civilisation, he is ruthlessly pursued by The Abomination - a nightmarish beast of pure adrenaline and aggression whose powers match The Hulk's own. A fight of comic-book proportions ensues as Banner must call upon the hero within to rescue New York City from destruction.

Verdict: From the action, effects and storyline, it's definitely better the first Hulk movie. In terms of action and effects, we get the usual stuff and more:

- loud, deep voiced, neanderthalic roars that can possibly shake mountains.

- [insert vehicles here] flying through the air, as a result of being thrown, kicked and...possibly even just spit at by the Hulk.

- numerous building, roads and [insert other architectural structures here] being badly damaged or destroyed by the Hulk, as a result of him rampaging or possibly just letting go a fart around the city.

- futile attempts by the military using loads of firepower and [Spoiler Alert!] even a brand new SOUND CANNON to subdue the Hulk. It's thoroughly entertaining to watch the military getting their asses kicked repeatedly and continue to dish out more firepower!

- [Spoiler Alert!] a really intense, violent battle with a new villian called The Abomination, a horrific mutation of Emil Blonsky, a military assassin. The Abomination is one fucking ugly badass who's bigger than the Hulk, but is more of a monster than a human being. The only thing they share in common is being green.

In terms of storyline, it's more on the journey of Bruce Banner, as we might expect. It mostly dwells on BB's sad and elusive life after the first movie, to escape the military from obtaining the secrets of his body and to protect Betty's well being.

Another aspect would be his past relationship with his lady love (Dr. Elizabeth Ross or Betty) in the first movie and how they got back together again in this one. [Spoiler Alert!] I especially loved the ROMANTIC scene when they finally meet face to face on a bridge and embraced each other in the rain, and all the while, Betty is saying,"Don't leave me, please don't leave me again.". GOSH, so SWEET! (yes, I'm a romantic bastard and happen to think that kissing the rain is very romantic, ok?).

As for character development, most of it would be on BB (who else could it be) and Emil Blonsky, who is portrayed as being driven at the beginning, and eventually becomes obsessed with killing the Hulk. Some mild humor is successfully injected here as well; like when BB is shopping for over-sized pants and when sex could've gone horribly wrong in a motel room, IF BB didn't have his heart rate monitor (BB uses a heart rate monitor to make sure he doesn't exceed a certain heart rate, or...you know what).

There are a few a couple of minor loopholes in the movie as well. Like how [Spoiler Alert!] BB jumps from a helicopter, fails to turn into the Hulk and smashes though the road into the sewer, in human form. Yet, he manages to turn into the Hulk in the sewers and climb back up, as if gravity didn't work and crush all the bones in his body. There is also a question of why BB's pants ALWAYS never disintegrate completely like the other pieces of clothing when he turns into the HULK and thus, leaving a naked BB when he turns back.

Also, [Spoiler Alert!] Tony Starks (Iron Man) appeared in the end of the movie. You can also catch (blink and you might miss it) some elements of Tony Starks in the movie background as well. I guess this shows that the Incredible Hulk actually a sequel for both the first Hulk movie AND Iron Man. Being the unofficial sequel to Iron Man, this could possibly be part of the development of the Ultimate Avengers movie later on, of which both Iron Man and The Hulk are team members.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Others: Out of all the superheroes, I think The Hulk is one of the scariest coz he doesn't have any real weaknesses (girlfriends DON'T count). I mean, even Superman has kryptonite and Batman is vulnerable to human injuries. Bloody hell, once he starts rampaging, he's basically unstoppable! Like our country's fuel price hike lah!