SINGAPORE : After a five year break from Lee Ang’s disappointing psychoanalytical take, the Hulk has been rebooted and is back with a vengeance. That is if its bad publicity, even before it hits the cinemas, does not stop it first.

“The Incredible Hulk” is based on the beloved Marvel Comics character, the Hulk, and it follows the struggles of scientist, Bruce Banner, played by Edward Norton, as he desperately hunts for a cure after he is exposed to gamma radiation that poisons his cells and unleashes the unbridled force within him: The Hulk.

This, as a result, leaves Banner separated from the love of his life, Betty Ross, played by Liv Tyler, and also, to face the relentless pursuit of his arch-nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross, played by William Hurt. Banner soon has to make an agonising decision between returning to a quiet life of normalcy, as Bruce Banner, and finding the hero within and embrace the unpredictable creature that lies in him.

“The Incredible Hulk” makes for an extremely enjoyable watch that will have your heart pumping and eyes glued to the screen the entire time. It wastes little time in trying to explain to audiences the origins of the Hulk, but instead plunges right into the thick of the action and slowly unravels snippets of what has been happening through flashbacks as the movie goes on. However, if the film is your first encounter with the emerald green giant, you might find yourself feeling a bit lost as it assumes that most are familiar with the background of the Hulk.

Following the runaway success of “Iron Man,” it is evident that Marvel Studios is determined to prove that the Hulk can be just as successful, hence, buying back its rights from Universal Studios after its disappointing showing in 2003. In this new and improved version, “The Incredible Hulk” boasts better special effects and has chosen a more action-packed route, that will have you riveted and at the edge of your seats.

Comic book adaptations are never easy to create, especially since the films, most importantly have to live up to the expectations of comic book fans that look forward to having their childhood memories brought to life and to the big screen. In order to achieve this and win back more fans after the previous flop, the film closely follows the events that take place in the comic and television series.

However, all the action sequences may have inadvertently overshadowed the plot of the film. Instead of focusing on developing the characters in greater depth, more screen time is given to the Hulk to rip things apart and fight off his enemies.

But I sure am not complaining, as the climax of the film is reached when the Hulk faces off with his most worthy adversary yet, the Abomination, a somewhat improved replica of himself. It is a scene that has all the ingredients that action-junkies will definitely love.

The film also, thankfully, does away with the cheesy dialogue that is ever so typical of such super hero films. It did not have me cringing in my seat and sniggering under my breath as much. This could also be attributed to Liv Tyler’s character of Betty Ross who seems to be much more of a tough-cookie and is definitely one up on other damsels in distress. She probably does less screaming than the Hulk himself!

Look out also for Robert Downey Jr, who makes a cameo appearance in the film. Riding on the recent success of “Iron Man”, Downey appears as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, alluding to a possible cooperation, and sequel, between the two films and characters.

Hopefully, the bad press surrounding the film will not get in the way of it proving itself to the audiences. Edward Norton, who had a hand in re-writing the script, lends a great deal of credibility to the film. However, he has reportedly refused to be a part of any promotional events due to differences between him and Marvel Studios with regard to the direction that the film should take. This has cast some dark clouds over the film and leaves fans with doubts if the film is all that it should be.

Avid fans are praying that the sun will rise on the Hulk, and I am inclined to think that it will. After all, there is a reason why the Hulk, who first appeared some 45 years ago, still manages to endear himself and capture the imagination of its readers till this day, and is one of the most popular comic book superheroes of all time.

All in all, “The Incredible Hulk” is a movie not to be missed out on for old times’ sake. But, even if you didn’t grow up in the era where water-cooler conversations were debates about how the Hulk managed to find pants that fit, the movie is still one thrilling and exciting ride!