Incredible Hulk Returns

"The Incredible Hulk Returns" was the 1988 television movie, which, despite its title, was also a test run for a television show about another Marvel superhero, the Mighty Thor. The two were clearly kindred spirits since you had "normal" Dr. Donald Blake (Steve Levitt) and the Norse god of thunder (Eric Allan Kramer), who is actually now downgraded to an ancient Viking warrior to avoid religious implications. Banner is now working at the Joshua Lambert Institute (under the name of Banyan) on the development of a gamma transponder, a device that will provide cheap, clean energy for the world (good) while getting rid of the Hulk forever (even better). "Banyan" is involved with Dr. Maggie Shaw (Lee Purcell), but cannot get series with her until he curbs his inner monster. Then his old colleague Blake shows up with his own inner creature (who is most decided NOT the noble Thor of the Stan Lee & Jack Kirby comic book). Blake shows Banner what happens with his magic hammer, which triggers the transformation of both into their alter egos and leads to a big fight. Then, just for fun, we throw in Maggie being kidnapped by Jack LeBeau (Tim Thomerson) who wants the gamma transponder as her ransom. You can figure out the rest from this point.

The good news here is that "The Incredible Hulk Returns" is not simply a rehash of the story. Banner has actually tried to rebuild his life while looking for his cure instead of continue to wander from town to town. This actually breathes some new life into the character. The bad news is that Thor is now suddenly a super-macho beer guzzler, and even despite the fact he has been downgraded from being the Norse god of thunder (he is a god, he just does not play one on TV), there are still lightning effects (pretty good ones too). The plot is pedestrian, which is par for comic book superheroes, but it does not just rehash the television series, which is a point to the good. The result is above average as long as you do not take the whole thing too seriously.