The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

The Worst Film Ever

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

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.

THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS :After watching the Incredible Hulk reruns in the summer of 1987, I went through Hulk Withdrawal Syndrome since I didn't have a VCR back then. Then my wish came true in the spring of 1988 during my sophomore year in high school. The Incredible Hulk is my number one all time favorite series and I truly fell in love with the Incredible Hulk Returns the very moment it aired on that Sunday night on NBC. Of the three reunion films they made, I felt Returns is the closest to the series for the following reasons: 1: This movie started with the intro of the original series with the colored lettering added. And by the way, it was not Edward Platt who did the narrative in the intro, it was the late Ted Cassidy (Lurch from the Addams Family). 2: Nicholas Corea was one of the head honchos along with Bill Bixby and served a director of the movie.3: The famous slow motion from the series was used in this movie. 4: Jack Colvin returns as Jack McGee. This is the only reunion movie he was in. Why he was not in the others I will never know.These are the reasons this movie gets my vote for being closest to the series. However, what separates it from the series is the lack of continuity. Lou Ferrigno talks about this in his book, "My Incredible Life As the Hulk". The reunion movies were filmed by that cheesy cheap company, Roger Corman's New World Productions instead of Universal and Kenneth Johnson had no involvement in it. Otherwise, I'm sure the continuity goof would have been corrected. The biggest continuity goof for me was that Jack McGee was back to pursuing the Hulk (and not even running into him once), but he'd forgotten all about his "John Doe". Bill Bixby once again delivers nothing short of superb excellence in his performance as Dr. David Banner (or David Banyon to everyone around him). Lou Ferrigno was bigger and bulkier than ever as the Hulk and gave an outstanding performance. I enjoyed seeing Jack Colvin one more time as Jack McGee, but only wished he had been in there more. Lee Purcell has got to be one of the most beautiful women that ever appeared on the Hulk as Dr. Maggie Shaw. Her relationship with David and her residence at that beach house gave me flashbacks to the Married episode.Noteworthy villains were Tim Thomerson and veteran Hulk guest actor Charles Napier. Lance Rubin was the right man to succeed Joe Harnell in the musical score and gave it a more technological late 80's sound. What I didn't care for was the addition of Thor and Donald Blake. This movie did not need that. But for what it's worth, Eric Allen Kramer was fun and amusing as Thor, the Norse God and Steve Levitt's Don Blake was pretty much a geek. It was like the Geek and the Jock as best friends.I would definitely recommend this reunion movie to anybody who has never seen it. Even though it's a little more comic bookish in story than the old series, it's still worth watching. I give it two thumbs up.

It has been almost two years since the Hulk last made an appearance and Banner has successfully assumed a new identity and, with soft music and the love of a good woman, has managed to control his anger. Working on a device that he believes can cure him of his Hyde side, Banner thinks things are going well until a former student turns up with stories of a hammer, an ancient tomb and a man called Thor. Demonstrating what he means sees the war god Thor appear and Banner is soon pushed beyond his own limits and the Hulk returns. The ensuing battle damages the lab and produces some sensational headlines in the local papers – headlines that draw investigative reporter Jack McGee back into the picture. Meanwhile, behind the scenes a sinister plot is developing to kidnap Banner and steal the transponder device.The surprising thing about the negative reviews on this film are not that they are negative (surely this film deserves them) but that the writers seem so very surprised by the failings in it. Did they, I wonder, not expect that the acting would be average at best, the plotting corny, the effects very basic and the whole thing dated and silly. All these things are true but I had expected them and, although they are still annoying at least I was ready for them and tried to enjoy the film the best I could. Comic book fans may get a kick out of a story that sees the Hulk and Thor put together, but for many viewers it will just seem silly throughout. Annoyingly, it takes itself seriously too much of the time and this does make the whole thing seem sillier. At times it has humour (mainly from Thor) but this is nowhere near often enough to lift the film. The narrative is all about setting up a fight at the end (the usual warehouse stuff) and doesn't do anything within this of any interest.The lack of characters can be understood within a tvm but they are still a real loss. Banner is his usual haunted self (despite calling himself Bannion – what a great disguise) and all this means is he mopes around thinking calm thoughts. Bixby is part of the reason it all takes itself too seriously and his performance is too worthy and self-important for such a silly film. Ferrigno is pretty poor of course but this is to be understood and the cheesy Hulk moments are something that comes with the territory. Surprisingly Kramer dominates the film and I was glad every time he came back on the screen. This is not to say he is any good, but at least he is quite funny. Colvin shows his face a few times but adds nothing to anything; Purcell is the usual love interest role and brings nothing new and, to be honest, most of the support cast are clunky and unconvincing – a few well-known faces in there add interest but not a great deal else.Overall this is a silly film with no characters, overused slow-mo, poor effects and is pretty much basic in most regards. There is enough here to please fans and those with low expectations however please don't be surprised by how basic the whole thing is.

I am so glad they made 3 TV movies of the Hulk, it is great to see Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno reprise their roles from "The Incredible Hulk" TV series, and Jack Colvin reprise his role as investigative reporter Jack McGee in this TV movie.David Banner, using the alias David Banion, is working for an institute that is into research and he has helped develop a gamma radiation machine that will probably cure him. David Banner is living with his co-worker and lover, Dr. Margaret Shaw, played by Lee Purcell(Airplane II: The Sequel, Valley Girl, and The Unknown). Margeret does not know his secret. David Banner has not turned into the Hulk in 2 years and does not want to put Margaret in danger.David is working at the lab late at night and an old acquaintance of his, Donald Blake, played great by Steve Levitt (Private School, Hunk, and The Experts), who knows who David is. Donald tells his adventure exploring a cavern in the mountain, discovers a tomb of an ancient Viking warrior, named Thor, played superbly by Eric Kramer(True Romance, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, and American Wedding). Donald uses a hammer he discovers in the tomb, the hammer of Thor, it is a way to summon Thor. Donald demonstrates how it works, David and Thor meet, Thor makes David anger by pushing him, and turns into the Hulk, they have it out, but they stop fighting cause of the police showing up. Jack McGee is at the institution the next day asking questions, David sees McGee and hides cause Jack McGee things he is dead.I won't tell you the rest, but I will tell you there are forces out to steal the gamma machine, Jack LeBeau, played by a sci fi great Tim Thomerson(Trancers 1-6, Nemesis 1 and 3), and his goon, played by Charles Napier(Rambo: First Blood Part II ,Austin Powers:The Spy Who Shagged Me).This movie is awesome, I give it 10/10 and 2 thumbs up.