If you don’t succeed at first, then try again. And it is with this philosophy in mind that Marvel decided to give their potentially lucrative Hulk comic book franchise another shot with this new epic.

The Incredible Hulk is based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. However it is not a sequel to the Hulk (2003), but rather it’s the same character as the first except of course the green colored monster in purple pants is now ‘Incredible’. After a slight flop with its earlier production, the makers hope to rake in more money by an bringing in an entirely brand-new cast and creative team.

The Incredible Hulk assumes that audiences already know the character. The plot is set in Brazil where scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) works as a manual labourer at a bottling plant, trying to find a cure and learn Portuguese in his spare time. Following an accident involving gamma rays, Banner becomes the raging super-powered, green-skinned monster The Hulk. The U.S. military in the guise of the corrupt General Ross (William Hurt) who also happens to be the father of Banner’s girlfriend, Betty is interested in getting their hands on the Hulk and using his blood to manufacture a new breed of super-powered soldiers. But Banner is a die hard fugitive who is not willing to give into the government's plans.

He soon finds himself in the America in a face off against the U.S. military in a thrilling show-off on a university campus. All these forces prevent Banner from being with the woman he has always loved Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). As the gigantic beast, he attempts to cure himself of the Hulk before he is captured by General Thaddeus and the power-hungry soldier Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). This time Roth’s character has however been injected by super-soldier juice and is well on his way to becoming The Abomination, an over-sized monster against which the Hulk faces off in a no-holds barred epic battle at the movie’s climax. This final battle in New York streets is replete with flying cars, lots of stuff exploding and fleeing bystanders

Epic or fantasy movies always enjoy the liberty of an elaborate and a massive sound effects with an equally wide scope for innovative sound design. The use of the surround sound is very effectively done. Keep a lookout for the battle scenes if you really want to hear the sound. The Incredible Hulk never runs out of steam and is filled with action right through.

If ‘The Incredible Hulk’ this is not your staple diet for a movie, tune into the enjoyable romantic – comedy starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz in ‘What happens in Vegas’ (Excel Home Entertainment).

Starring: Edward Norton, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler.

Director: Louis Leterrier

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira