Incredible Hulk - The Incredible Hulk Returns/The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk [1978] [DVD]

2 Marvel-ous films, please read previous reviews for synopsis. The 1st film features Thor and is good fun from start to finish! The 2nd feature with Daredevil and Kingpin (John Rhys (Gimli) Davies) is a good story that is on a slightly more serious note... (plus features Stan Lee as a memeber of the court room jury.) Both films are good with good performances from all of the actors but is down to Bixby and Ferrigno that the films are true classics!

The original Incredible Hulk TV series ran from 1978-1982 (not including repeats) with a total of 79 episodes. In 1988 it was decided to revive the brand with the first of a series of TV films (only 3 were made across 3 consecutive years).

The first of the movies was "The Incredible Hulk Returns". This movie was to serve as the pilot for the TV series "Thor", but this was never produced.

For several years Dr David Bruce Banner (Bill Bixby) has kept himself out of sight working for a company on a Gamma Transponder which he believes can cure him of the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno). Of course things are never going to be that easy for Dr Banner, especially after he is interrupted by a former student, Donald Blake (Steve Levitt) and his "friend" Thor (Eric Allan Kramer). Also returning as the pain in the you-know-what journalist Jack McGee (Jack Colvin).

The majority of the film is spent establishing the relationship between Blake and Thor.

In 1989 came the second film - "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk". This was supposed to be the starter for a TV series on the DareDevil character - once again this did not come to fruition.

A woman, Ellie Mendez (Marta DuBois), is attacked on a subway train. David Banner tries to help her but comes off worse until he changes into the Hulk. Unfortunately, as thanks for his trouble, Banner is arrested after the woman identifies him as her attacker. His appointed lawyer Matt Murdock (Rex Smith - Streethawk) tries to help but has a secret of his own. Appearing as bad guy Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin) is John Rhys-Davis (Gimli - Lord of the Rings trilogy).

Once again the majority of the film is aimed at building the Matt Murdock character.

Of the two I prefer the latter film now that I have seen it in the full, uncut version. I say uncut because I have a copy on VHS (from about 10 years ago when ITV showed it on a Saturday afternoon) and it has a running time of 72 minutes - the actual running time 93 minutes, that's 21 minutes longer than the TV version.

These films were never meant to be anything but light, entertaining, fun, escapist, family films and this is what they achieve. They are great for those rainy afternoons when you want something to watch that requires no brain power what-so-ever.

these could be classed as just above tv films.What just let them down was the same introduction like in the series.if a little more effort was put into a new music score and intro they could have been classed as a more big screen type film.the 1st film brings you into contact with one of dr banners troublesome ex students who introduces the viewers to thor and again tight budgets and lets say thors character has a more human appeal to him which can be a little amusing.We learn that dr banner has controlled his raging hulk side with no appearance of the hulk in 2 yrs.even the reporter who was tracking the hulk down thought he was dead that was until thor angers dr banner resulting in the hulk trashing dr banners lab and research. ow........ the second film again does not go over the top with efects and we learn of the daredevil trying to colapse the kingpins empire. Again daredevil has a human touch to him and is nearly killed by kingpins men after finding out his weak spot and setting a trap for him......suddenly our big green friend appears. both films were made in the 70's so wont have the more recent storylines or over the top effect, explosions and stunts. these films may apeal to the older viewer.Extras include stan lee documentary who talks extensivly about the hulk which immediatly comes to mind.