From Amazon.com
Anchor Bay's
Incredible Hulk double-disc set offers
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988) and
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), the first two of three made-for-TV movies featuring the Marvel Comics monster hero that aired after the CBS series' demise in 1982. Both discs also include a considerable amount of supplemental material, including interviews with star Lou Ferrigno and comic book legend Stan Lee. Bill Bixby returns as tormented scientist David Banner (in addition to executive producing
Returns and directing
Trial), as does Ferrigno as his green-skinned alter ego. In both titles, they are paired with other Marvel creations; in
Returns, Banner is joined by the Mighty Thor to thwart industrial espionage, and in
Trial, he's defended by blind lawyer Matt Murdock (Rex Smith), a.k.a. Daredevil. Bixby's always-credible presence brings believability to the fanciful storylines, and both features have the right mix of drama and action that should satisfy fans of the series and its graphic origins alike.
--Paul Gaita
Additional Features
The Incredible Hulk Returns and
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk are presented in their original full-frame format, and feature colorful menus as well as multiple chapter selections.
Returns offers two interview segments: "Muscling in on Movies" is a 25-minute conversation with Ferrigno about his bodybuilding and acting careers, while "The Marvelous World of Stan Lee" is 16 minutes with the always-animated Hulk creator on his life and philosophy. A still gallery and detailed talent bios on Bixby and Ferrigno round out the disc.
Trial offers the gallery and bios as well as "Stand Tall," a solid 84-minute documentary from 1994 that profiles Ferrigno's quest for the Mr. Olympia Masters competition that should prove fascinating for bodybuilding and athletic enthusiasts. Viewers can also access
Trial's original script via DVD-ROM. A breezy and informative eight-page booklet on both features rounds out the set.
--Paul Gaita