The Incredible Hulk was one of my favorite television shows as a kid. Thanks to the Incredible Hulk – The Complete First Season DVD, I get to be a kid again and enjoy this great series with my kids.
To be fair and honest, the four disc DVD set (which collects the ten episodes from season one and two original feature length made for television films) does demonstrate that the series is dated by special effects, make-up and technology standards. However, the story plots still pack all the emotion that made the series great when it first smashed onto television in 1978.
For those who don’t know, The Incredible Hulk series was based on the Marvel comic book and follows the adventures of Dr. David Banner (the late Bill Bixby) - a brilliant scientist who is the victim of a lab experiment gone wrong that transforms him into the seven-foot-tall, muscular green-skinned Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) whenever he gets angry.
Throughout the series, Banner is a kind of “everyman” who travels the road in search of a cure to his problem while constantly coming across people who need his help (and often the Hulk’s help) in each episode.
Yes, the series is VERY formulaic with Banner just happening to have whatever skill is required to fit into the episode’s plot; the Hulk busting through some kind of wall; the Hulk making some kind of connection with who is being helped; and Banner taking to the road again at the end. While searching for his cure, Banner has to deal with a tabloid journalist out to discover the truth about the Hulk, and is haunted by the accidental death of a friend.
You won’t like me when I get angry
The series captured what makes the Incredible Hulk story (which is a mixture of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) really great. The show’s writers were able to capture a lot of emotion in the Hulk character – including a kind of sadness that seemed to accompany both Banner and the creature. The show’s moody piano score also served to help reflect the emotions of the series.
Even though it is dated by today’s standards, the series still manages to find a way to balance the psychological aspects of the characters with the need for big “Hulk Smash” action sequences – something that the big screen adaptation of the green guy greatly missed.
Disc One contains the two feature length television movies – “The Incredible Hulk: Pilot” and “The Incredible Hulk: Death In The Family.” The pilot sets up the basic premise for the series with Banner inadvertently exposing himself to gamma radiation; turning into the Hulk, trying to find a cure; and then hitting the road after faking his death.
Death in the Family finds Banner and the Hulk trying to help a ranch owner whose step-mom is trying to kill her. Along the way, we get to see a gentle side to Hulk as he helps the girl make it through a swamp to the ranger's station. We also get to see the Hulk fight a bear, chunk a snake, take down a helicopter with a tree stump, and play in quicksand.
Disc Two sees the series finding its formulaic groove. The disc starts off with “The Final Round” – where Banner takes a job at a boxing gym and helps out a local boxer (who just happens to be named Rocky) who dreams of being a champ. “Of Guilt, Models and Murder” finds Banner waking up next to a dead model and it looks like the Hulk might be the killer (Loni Anderson guest stars).
Hulk SMASH!
“The Beast Within” finds Banner taking a job at a zoo and meeting a female scientist that is working on genetic research that might just give him an insight into his own condition. “Terror in Time Square” finds Banner working at an arcade, but he soon discovers the owner is being blackmailed. He also uncovers a murder plot.
Disc Three kicks off with “747” where Banner is forced to land an airplane with a young boy after the crew is disabled. “The Hulk Breaks Las Vegas” sees Banner working in a casino while the Hulk gets a job as an Elvis impersonator - not really, but that would be great. Banner works at a casino and agrees to help a reporter who’s working on a gambling scandal story.
“Never Give a Trucker an Even Break” finds full-throttle action as Banner aids a female trucker against the hijackers that took her dad’s rig. “Life and Death” finds Banner befriending a pregnant woman and together they find a plot to steal infants for DNA experimentation.
Disc Four features two episodes and a bonus look at season two with the “Stop the Presses” episode. “Earthquakes Happen” sees Banner posing as a scientist at a nuclear research facility to gain access to gamma-ray equipment. “The Waterfront Story” sees Banner working at a Texas dock tavern and becoming immersed in the world of union politics.
Although the series is dated and formulaic, it maintains the charm and emotion that it had when it first premiered on television. If you enjoyed the show as a kid you will still love it as an adult. If you never watched it as a kid, it is still worth taking a look at today.
The series also taps into Hulk’s gentle but muddy side
Yes, there is a cheese factor with bad make up effects (the Hulk transformation will make you laugh), and some of the action sequences are a bit hokey (you will also laugh when the Hulk tosses a bear in “Death in the Family”). Still, I would recommend the series to anyone who is a fan of The Hulk story, or anyone wanting something that is simply fun for the whole family.
The Incredible Hulk – The Complete First Season is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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