The Incredible Hulk
2-Disc Set
(The Incredible Hulk Returns/The Trial of the 
Incredible Hulk)
(1988/1989)
review by Head Cheeze

While I'm as excited as any fanboy out there to see what Ang Lee and over $100 million bucks can do for The Incredible Hulk, for me there's only one not-so-jolly green giant, and that's Lou Ferrigno. Way back when I was a wee lad I remember tuning in to the ol' NBC series during the height of super-hero themed prime-time programming (Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Dick Cavett...). While the majority of each episode focused on David "Bruce" Banner (Bixby) and his poignant struggle to rid himself of his alter ego while constantly on the run from the army and nosey reporter Jack McGee (Jack Colvin), viewers were treated to at least a couple of slo-motion rampages by the spottily painted Ferrigno as The Hulk. If you thought too much about it, or looked too hard to see where the make-up smeared under his armpits, then you were probably too old or jaded to enjoy it. Me, I loved every second of it.

So when Anchor Bay recently sent me their new 2-Disc set of two of the better Hulk telefilms, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, but so did a tinge of doubt. Would I still see the film through the giddy eyes of a child, or would my evil adult cynicism come to the fore and ruin the whole experience? There was only one way to find out, so I tossed disc one into my player and sat back. When I realized I was smiling from ear to ear the moment I saw Bixby, I knew I had nothing to worry about.

The Return of the Incredible Hulk is set two years after the series finale (in reality it had been six years since the show was cancelled), in which Banner seemingly gained control over his tempermental other-half. It's been a long while since The Hulk's made an appearance, and Banner's moved on, found a good woman, and has even landed a decent job in the scientific community. Of course, ol' Jack McGee is just waiting for something to set poor David off, and his patience pays off when an archaeologist digs up the tomb of a frozen warrior king named Thor (Eric Kramer). When Thor thaws out, he's not exactly thrilled by his new surroundings, and goes on a nordic rampage through the city. When his actions seemingly threaten Banner's gal, the long dormant Hulk comes out, and the mighty viking and the green goliath have an old fashioned super hero throwdown. Of course, comic book laws prevail, and it turns out that Thor isn't actually a threat at all, but rather a potent ally against a group of baddies bent on destroying a new device Banner's developed to help rid himself of the Hulk for good!

In Trial of the Incredible Hulk, Banner is framed for an assault, and put on trial where he is defended by a blind lawyer named Matt Murdock (Rex Smith). Banner has a rough go in the pokey and Hulk's his way out, leaving it up to Murdock to track him down in the guise of The Daredevil! Murdock is aware of The Hulk, and thinks that if he can work out a deal with the more rational Banner, the pair can work together to take down the evil Kingpin (John Rhys-Davies). While this is more of a Daredevil pilot-episode (for a series that was ultimately scrapped), the Hulk/DD team-up is great fun, and a comic book fans dream!

Both films are presented in their full frame aspect ratios and look dynamite, especially considering their age and television origins. The lovingly packaged two-disc set is presented in a slip case with a fold out shell and mini-comic book style production notes insert. I'm a sucker for the little things, and Anchor Bay really took great care in putting this set together. Each disc features it's own unique set of extras, including a WHOPPING 84 minute documentary about Lou Ferrigno that's really well done and features lots of great stuff from his early days as a body building champion, his time on the Hulk, and even some funny incite on his experiences in Italian cinema (as Hercules!). It's fascinating and inspirational stuff, and as a bonus feature positively owns! Also included in the set are two brand new interview segments with both Ferrigno and Marvel Comics mascot Stan "The Man" Lee! Factor in two poster and stills galleries, talent bios, and a DVD Rom screenplay, and you've got a fantastic set of two goofy yet super entertaining flicks that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I really had a lot of fun with this one, and any comics fan worth his salt simply has no excuse not to pick this puppy up!

Excelsior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!