The Incredible Hulk: Original Television Premiere (1978)

NOT Superior to Recent Version

By Michael T  Nov 2, 2003

Pros: Sheer Nostalgia

Cons: Everything Else

If you prefer this rather than the recent interpretation in cinema courtesy of Ang Lee than perhaps you allow your taste to be the byproduct of the familiar regardless of what its quality is. After twenty five years the drama that both episodes on t...his volume strive for is too sentimental and veers close to satire without intention. For evidence of such detriments which ran rampant in this show witness the prelude to the pilot as the late Bill Bixby as David Banner recalls the memory of his first wife then awakes with perspiration before he pursues his quest to attain strength (which in turn transforms him to Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk). How this prevails and is therefore superior to the performance of Eric Bana as Bruce Banner will confound those whose taste for this character is in its original incarnation. However the fault of this show is not the less than faithful interpretation which would borrow only in small amounts from its inspiration on comic books. The fault instead is in delivery which does not age well and perpetuates the notion that television is nothing other than the bastard child of cinema. Even scenes which feature Ferrigno in green- as well as his temporary piece atop his head and tatters that decorate his frame- are by and large in slow motion which dull the effect of the Hulk in the midst of rampage. In short- nostalgia and nostalgia alone illustrate the preference many have of this show to the full length feature by Lee. Contrary to popular belief the title role of this character which would appear due to CGI in "The Hulk" did NOT at all hamper the movie of the same name. By contrast no amount of such effects (even if they were available from 1978 to 1982) could do that much to improve the television series with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno- unless perhaps Ang Lee was on board to assist them. Read more Less