“The Incredible Hulk” directed by Louis Leterrier is neither a remake of Ang Lee’s version of a few years ago nor the popular vintage television series. This time around, writer Zak Penn puts an updated spin on the material based on Marvel Comic characters, and while this offering is a bit disjointed and confusing, fans of the fantasy/super-hero genre will likely find the effort satisfactory.

The story follows scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), who is on the run from the government after Gamma-induced experimentations with his blood have gone wrong leaving him prone to morphing into a green hulk whenever his anger accelerates his heart rate.

Believing that Banner is essentially government property, General Ross (William Hurt) dispatches an aggressive Marine, Emil Blonksy (Tim Roth), to track down and later battle the normally mild-mannered fugitive.

Leaving his hideout in Brazil, Banner returns to the United States to retrieve the scientific data compiled during his case , which is being hidden safely by his girlfriend (coincidentally, the general’s daughter) Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). After briefly reuniting with Betty, the two proceed to contact Dr. Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), who promises the hope of a vaccine that may be able to control Banner’s issues with anger management however the outcome produces mixed results.

Norton brings his usual intensity and energy to this role. While not as compelling as Robert Downey Jr.’s interpretation of “Iron Man” (in a much more entertaining film), Norton’s casting and performance will likely be considered more than sufficient. Hurt, Tyler and Roth don’t fare as well, but their characters are drawn with a rather one-dimensional hand which forces them to deliver dialogue that seems desperately ridiculous at times.

Devoted fans of this genre will probably find enough about the “The Incredible Hulk” to appreciate but the “surprise” cameo at the end of the picture proves that the film itself is clearly just an elaborate set-up for “The Avengers,” an ultimate super-hero extravaganza scheduled for theaters in 2011.

(2 stars out of 4.)

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