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Some summer blockbusters offer decent entertainment

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Again movies seem to pile up on me and the only way to keep up is to review several at once. Trying to stay within a basic genre, I will look at “The Incredible Hulk,” starring Edward Norton and Liv Tyler, which has been in theater a little while, “Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D” starring Brendon Fraser and finally, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” starring Ron Perlman. Listed here in order of my preference in terms of entertainment value, as far as summer blockbusters go, these are pretty decent offerings.

Since Eric Bana's “Hulk” back in 2003 left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, I balked a bit when a trailer for a new version aired, but I like Edward Norton so much that I decided to give it a chance. Norton does not disappoint and neither does the film in terms of action and top-notch special effects. Sure, it is dumb, sometimes to the point of utter absurdity, but it is appealing to the eye and action-packed.

Norton's Hulk is appropriately brooding and determined and Tyler is as beautiful as ever as Betty Ross, Bruce Banner's love interest. William Hurt plays an excellent villain. The story has Bruce Banner hiding in some remote place in Latin America, but when he returns home in search of a man who promises a cure to his “illness,” old enemies are close behind. In the meantime, Gen. Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Hurt) -Betty's father - brings in a soldier (Tim Roth) who is eager to bring down the Hulk. He is so eager, he is willing to undergo physical changes to do so. While Roth impresses with his acting, I can't help but think he is a bit small, physically, for the job - soon however, he is beefed up for a high-powered blazing battle with the Hulk.

In spite of some overall silliness, I am placing a C+ in my gradebook for the PG-13-rated “The Incredible Hulk.” I don't think it will disappoint fans of the series or those, like me who loathed the previous film version. The original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, shows up for a quick cameo, as does Robert Downy Jr. as “Ironman's” Tony Stark along with creator Stan Lee and that is always fun. Stark's entrance makes way for a sequel.

On to the PG-rated “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which has Professor Trevor Anderson (Fraser) and his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson), along with pretty guide Hannah (Anita Briem) discovering the wonders and frights in the center of our earth - in 3-D no less. I took my grandson, who is finally old enough to keep the necessary glasses in place for the whole movie (which was not the case in “Chicken Little”) and I truly enjoyed watching him reach out to the screen to touch electric birds or catch glistening water drops and I couldn't help but giggle when he ducked and covered at the site of toothy flying prehistoric fish and huge roaring dinosaurs.

Fraser plays his usual wacky self and his small supporting cast is acceptable, but it is the 3D images that really make this film worth a look. It has no great storyline, nor is it in any way scientifically accurate, but visually it is stunning. “Journey to the Center of the Earth” plays out more like an amusement park ride than a film, but that's OK - it is a fun ride and there is no standing in a super long, hot line to see it (except, that is, at the free screening). I am placing a C+ in my gradebook for this one too. We'll see Fraser again soon in another “Mummy” film and I expect the same Fraser and equally striking visuals there.

Finally, we come to the PG-13-rated “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” a film about those who secretly protect the earth from sinister and quite strange lifeforms trying to destroy mankind. The protectors include a group of non-human beings - a devil-like creature, a woman who can turn on flames, a specter of sorts and the red devil-like creature, Hellboy - as well as humans. Perlman reprises his role as Hellboy or “Red,” but now he has a love interest in the flaming hot Liz Sherman (Selma Blair). Director Guillermo del Toro (known best for his insanely graphic R-rated film “Pan's Labyrinth”) provides some amazing creatures and spectacular battle sequences. The overall story leaves much to be desired and the inclusion of not one but two love stories left me a bit disappointed - but the amazing visuals make up for every flaw.

“Hellboy II,” although not as keenly conceived as the other films, is so well executed in terms of visuals, it manages to truly entertain. I did find bits somewhat slow and, as I mentioned, I am not fond of love stories intertwined in this type of film, but the script offers characters - especially Hellboy himself - some witty lines. The romance also opens the door to the next installment, which promises twin little fiery Hellboy kiddies. I can only hope Del Toro will take the helm again. His amazing gift for incredible imagery fascinates. I am placing a B- in my gradebook.

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