The Incredible Hulk

** Stars

A re-boot of Ang Lee's 2003 lackluster Hulk may be exactly what this world needs. Right?

Wrong.

In fact, the only reason for this new version of the Hulk franchise is to set up an Avengers movie. The idea is perfect, but the execution is absolutely pointless. As I sat in the midnight showing, no one around me looked very excited. Most just sat at the screen and were probably thinking the same thing I was. What's the point of all this?

There is no doubt that this film will be successful financially. I just wish the studios listened to their star Edward Norton about the film's ending. Norton, very upset about the films conclusion, threatened to stop promoting his film if studios didn't bring back the ending he wanted. He lost. Studios won. Audiences suffered.

Norton is one of America's finest actors, but I think he is miscast as Bruce Banner (His transformation into the Hulk is hard to believe given his small stature as Banner). In the opening, Norton plays Banner muted as he is hiding in the shadows looking for a cure to his somewhat unusual circumstance. He is not looking to control his power, only to destroy it. Soon, he has to go on the run once the government tracks him down so they can use him as a weapon. This film does not make the American government look like the good guy. But then again, what film lately has?

The Hulk has a soft spot (every hero does) for his girl Betty Ross (a cheesy but somewhat appropriate Liv Tyler). When they reunite once again, her father, General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) will use anything he can to get to Bruce. Even if that means using her daughter. Both Betty and Bruce do what they can to find a cure, but the General has a few tricks up his sleeves and creates his own Hulk-Powered machine. Tim Roth plays Emil Blonsky, a commando who wants every power Bruce has. He is injected with doses of adrenaline and is turned into the evil side of Hulk's power. The two square off in a final battle that is visually impressive (Roth and Norton actually fought each other using digital technology that Andy Serkis also used to create King Kong and Gollum) but lacking in emotional intensity. Its finale is annoyingly kept open for a sequel. The biggest cheer in this film is Robert Downey Jr.'s cameo as Tony Stark, which proves that Iron Man is a much better adaptation.

Maybe Norton will be a great match-up with Downey when they team up as Hulk and Iron Man in the upcoming Avengers film. But for now, I'll ignore this film and look to the future. You should do the same.