It felt like catching up with an old, dear friend when The Incredible Hulk Returns first flickered onto our CRT screens in 1988. Six long years had passed since the melancholic "Lonely Man" theme played Dr. David Banner off into the sunset at the end of the beloved TV series. Seeing Bill Bixby back, carrying that familiar weariness and quiet desperation, was like a warm blanket on a rainy Sunday afternoon. This wasn't just another TV movie; it was a reunion, a chance to revisit a character who had captured our imaginations with his tragic plight and monstrous alter ego, portrayed with enduring physical presence by the one and only Lou Ferrigno.
A Familiar Quest, An Unexpected Guest
The premise picks up with Banner, now working under an alias at a cutting-edge research facility (naturally!), believing he's finally on the verge of a cure. He's built a Gamma Transponder, a piece of tech that hums with the promise of separating him from his green-skinned curse forever. Of course, this being Banner's life, things can't possibly go smoothly. Enter Donald Blake (Steve Levitt), a former student who carries a burden almost as strange as Banner's: an enchanted hammer that summons a boisterous, slightly bewildered Norse warrior – Thor! This wasn't the polished, cosmic Avenger we know today, mind you. Played with gusto by a pre-Robin Hood: Men in Tights Eric Allan Kramer, this Thor was more Viking biker than Asgardian prince, complete with leather gear and a somewhat perplexed grasp of Midgardian ways. It was… certainly a choice, but undeniably memorable.
Thunder Meets Fury (on a TV Budget)
Let's be honest, the main reason many of us eagerly tuned in, clutching our rented VHS copy perhaps, was the promise of seeing the Hulk throw down with the God of Thunder. The resulting clash is pure 80s television gold. You have Lou Ferrigno, green paint and all, roaring and flexing against Kramer's enthusiastic, hammer-swinging Thor. It's clunky, it’s charmingly low-fi by today’s standards, but back then? It felt epic! Seeing these two powerhouses collide, even with the visible limitations of TV effects, was a genuine thrill. You could almost feel the static crackle off the screen. Interestingly, this whole Thor subplot wasn't just a random whim. The Incredible Hulk Returns was conceived by writer/producer/co-director Nicholas Corea as a potential backdoor pilot, hoping to launch a solo Thor television series. While that series never materialized, it gave us this wonderfully oddball team-up, an early precursor to the interconnected superhero universes we see today.
Retro Fun Facts & Familiar Faces
Beyond the main event, the movie offers plenty of nostalgic touchstones. Seeing Bill Bixby not only star but also step behind the camera to direct segments of the film adds another layer of appreciation for his dedication to the character and the franchise. His nuanced portrayal of Banner remains the heart of the story, grounding the more fantastical elements. And who could forget Jack Colvin returning for one final appearance as persistent reporter Jack McGee? His presence provides a crucial link back to the original series, a final, almost poignant chase before his character arc concluded. While the central plot involving corporate espionage and stealing the Transponder feels very much like standard TV movie fare of the era, it serves its purpose in bringing our heroes (and villainous mercenaries) together. The budget, reportedly around $4 million (a decent sum for TV then, but pocket change for a superhero flick now – roughly $10.4 million today), clearly dictated the scale, yet they managed to deliver moments that stuck with us. Remember Thor catching that satellite dish? Pure, unadulterated 80s cheese, and glorious for it.
More Than Just a Nostalgia Trip?
Watching The Incredible Hulk Returns today is an exercise in managing expectations, viewed through a warm lens of nostalgia. The pacing can feel leisurely, the dialogue occasionally dips into melodrama, and the villainous plot is fairly predictable. Yet, its charm is undeniable. It captures a specific moment in superhero media history – post the earnestness of the 70s series, pre the grimdark or hyper-stylized takes that would follow. It’s sincere in its portrayal of Banner's struggle and surprisingly fun in its execution of the superhero crossover. Bixby sells Banner’s hope and inevitable disappointment perfectly, and Ferrigno remains the definitive live-action Hulk for a generation. Kramer's Thor, while deviating wildly from the comics, brings a unique, almost goofy energy that’s hard to dislike. It paved the way for two more TV movie sequels – Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), which brought Daredevil into the mix, and the somber Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990) – cementing its place as a significant chapter in the Hulk's screen history.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
The Incredible Hulk Returns isn't high art, nor is it a particularly sophisticated piece of superhero storytelling by modern benchmarks. However, it delivers exactly what it promised back in '88: the welcome return of beloved characters, a genuinely novel (for its time) superhero team-up, and a comforting dose of the classic Hulk formula. The performances of Bixby, Ferrigno, and even Kramer's bizarre Thor are earnest, the action has a certain practical charm, and the nostalgia factor is immense. It’s hampered by its TV movie budget and some dated elements, preventing a higher score, but its heart is in the right place.
It’s a perfect slice of late-80s comfort viewing – a reminder of a time when seeing two Marvel titans share the screen, even on television, felt like a truly incredible event. Pop it in, grab some microwave popcorn, and enjoy the wonderfully weird reunion.