Hulk

Of all the comic books in all the parallel worlds, it’s not really surprising that the Hulk has transcended his comic-book origins to become a soulful fugitive in the 1970s’ TV show, and now a Freudian King Kong figure in an Ang Lee movie.

The concept is simple – David Banner (Eric Bana) is a genetic research scientist who finds himself on the wrong end of some gamma rays. Suddenly, he’s moodier than J-Lo with PMT. Indeed, he’s going completely over the edge and transforming into a big, green frenzied monster, while his heartbroken fiance Betty (Connelly) looks on, and her General daddy (played by the inimatable Sam Elliott) attempts to hunt the Hulk down.

Add in some “They fuck you up, your mum and dad” material in the shape of Bruce’s father – embittered Doctor David (Nolte in fine fettle)– and Ang Lee has weaved a much richer tapestry than anyone has the right to expect from a summer blockbuster. Part horror, part Greek mythology, part-tearjerker, Hulk is a rather lavish hybrid – and if you’ve seen the CGI monster in the trailers and thought that the monster’s a bit 1990s, fear not. Spectacularly imposing in size and scale, the green ball of primal rage is easily the most memorable creation of its kind in cinematic history, and there’s immense pleasure on offer as he trashes man, beast and plane with fly-swat ease throughout an inordinately enjoyable face-off finale. For now, Spiderman can fuck right off.