The Incredible Hulk Returns

Although it's hidden behind a nondescript title, THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS actually turns out to be something of a gem of a superhero movie. It's a TV movie spin-off from the classic late '70s TV series which starred Bill Bixby as Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno as his hulked-out alter ego, and both actors return in a tale which pits the Hulk against that Norse god of legend, Thor.

Yes, it's Thor and Hulk, in the same movie, some twenty years before Marvel became popular again with the likes of THE AVENGERS flick. Obviously, THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS is an entirely different kettle of fish, packed full as it is of cheesy '80s-era special effects, camp costumes and even camper acting, but at the same time it's a lovable film with plenty to enjoy.

I don't know, I do appreciate these older comic book adaptations which play up the camp - they're somehow more endearing than the new, po-faced, wisecracking superhero flicks. THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS feels a little like the BATMAN TV show of the 1960s, with a couple of erstwhile heroes working their way through various criminal types as they battle to bring down some thieving foes. Bill Bixby's calm presence centres the whole thing, but Ferrigno is the scene-stealer as ever; as for Eric Kramer's Thor, well let's say his acting is an acquired taste. The familiar B-movie faces of Charles Napier and Tim Thomerson round out the cast of what is a surprisingly entertaining and action-packed superhero outing.

RELEASED TO TV IN 1988 and written & directed by Nicholas Corea, "The Incredible Hulk Returns" is the first of three movies in the wake of the TV series that ran from 1977-82.

PLOT: Bill Bixby stars as Dr. David Banner, who is working incognito at a research facility in Southern California and on the verge of curing his gamma radiation-induced curse. Meanwhile Banner reunites with younger colleague Don Blake (Steve Levitt), who has found a magical Norse hammer, which can summon Thor (Eric Allan Kramer), an ancient Viking warrior. When a vital piece of technology is nearly stolen and David's sweetheart is kidnapped (Lee Purcell), the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) and Thor must team-up to save the day. Jack Colvin returns as nosy reporter Jack McGee.

Despite the TV-budget limitations, this is a very entertaining Hulk movie, even better than the pilot movie from 1977. This is mostly due to the inclusion of Thor, who's pretty close to the Marvel Comics version (Stan Lee was a consultant), albeit with a brown costume rather than dark blue. This is because Thor here is (evidently) NOT the god of thunder from Asgard, but rather a mighty Viking from the distant past aided by the mystic hammer. His personality isn't like Thor in the comics (i.e. one-dimensionally noble and boring), but rather like Marvel's Hercules, where he's hearty, loves a good fight, women & brew. Kramer knocks the role out of the ballpark with his merry & mighty charisma.

The biker bar episode is a highlight with Peisha Arten standing out as one of the "Whoa, Mama" biker babes. The ending is kind of sad accompanied by Joseph Harnell's melancholic piano theme.

THE FILM RUNS 93 minutes and was shot in California (Malibu, North Hollywood and Los Angeles). ADDITIONAL DIRECTING: Bill Bixby. ADDITIONAL CAST: Charles Napier, Tim Thomerson and Jay Baker.

GRADE: B+

I first watched this movie when i was 6 years old. Im 15 now and i still enjoy it. I was always fascinated by the incredible hulk, and with Lou Ferrigno's wonderful performance, you'll never be able to leave your seats.

My favourite scene was David Banner seeing thor for the first time i thought that scene was brilliantly done. However, this film has its weaknesses. The main weakness was the scene where the hulk is trying to pull the helicopter down, i thought he could do that himself and not have thor to help him, despite that they still couldn't pull the helicopter down.

However this didn't really effect the entertainment too much. It is a great shame that the late Bill Bixby isn't with us.

The Hulk teams up with another comic book character named Thor.

As others have said, fans of the original weekly series - The Incredible Hulk - might struggle a bit with this film as it is clearly not staying in the same dramatic tone as the old show but I personally enjoyed it a lot.

Firstly, the Hulk himself now seems stronger and bigger than he did in the past and the character needs to look that way so...great stuff! Secondly, Bill Bixby (David Banner) really struck me as a great actor here, I am sure he was fine in the old show but I don't remember being so impressed with him like I was here.

And thirdly, Thor is just a really fun character to have around, in fact the makers of today's superhero movies could learn a thing or two from this under-rated TV movie.

In a nutshell: this is a nice light hearted blast!

For those who didn't exactly take the series seriously might have a heck of a time with this comeback movie for The Incredible Hulk. But for those who did take them seriously (those being me), I find this a rather silly entry.

The humane aspect is what fueled the series. Bill Bixby was an irresistible lead and his quest for a cure never failed to be interesting. In short it was the drama that made the show as appealing as it was. In The Incredible Hulk Returns we see him team up with Thundergod Thor as David's attempts to cure himself are once again thrashed. The Hulk and Thor battle criminals who are out to steal David's machine, the one he built which might have helped to cure him.

The film starts off well and then goes downward after Thor's introduction. He's made to be pretty silly but still he's engagingly played by Eric Kramer and somehow he's pretty likable. The action scenes are fine and the Hulk moments are solid. Lou Ferrigno looks incredible and everything concerning David Banner and the Hulk is good stuff. But the campy feel and humor is something the shows didn't go much for and undermine the whole proceedings, like it wasn't taken seriously enough. But maybe that's what they were aiming for.

Jack Colvin makes a welcome return as relentless reporter Jack McGee who once again misses out on the big story. As always Bixby is rock solid and the flick works in some places but misses in others.

It's still an above average entertainment for a fan of the series.