One of my all time favorites.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

"The Incredible Hulk" has certainly proved that when it comes to television adaptations of "Marvel Comic" superheroes, the above show is in a league of its own. The emphasis was always on drama and on character and these are the shows greatest strengths. You couldn't ask for a better actor to be cast in the leading role of David Banner than Bill Bixby. He imbued the character with much depth and conviction. The way he projects a sense of maturity, of being a learned man, unassuming but constantly having to control the raging alter ego who lurks not far beneath the surface, superb. Lou Ferrigno fits the bill perfectly as the Hulk. In all honesty, he doesn't have to do much except roar, growl, flex his muscles and throw a few villains around. However, on occasion he does display some kind of depth. Jack Colvin makes for a good Jack McGee, whose character resulted from being included in the live action television show. He hadn't and hasn't been written in any "Incredible Hulk" comic books. The credit goes to writer and director Kenneth Johnson for bringing this feature length pilot episode to the small screen. He has stated quite clearly in interviews that whilst writing the script for the pilot and trying to have a regular series commissioned, he only took from the comic book, the characters of Bruce Banner and the Hulk. No references were going to be made to the military angle of the comic and no romantic angle with Betty Ross. The name David sounds better than Bruce. In addition, Kenneth Johnson made every effort in avoiding any chance of "The Incredible Hulk" being regarded as a campy show like the "Batman" series from the 1960s. I think he was absolutely spot on in doing this because at least his show wouldn't become ridiculed. I have seldom seen a pilot episode that is this well written, acted and directed. Fans of the Incredible Hulk character or of "Marvel Comics" in general, are in for a treat. Bill Bixby is a medical Doctor and research scientist David Banner, who is exploring how people can produce extraordinary feats of strength whilst under duress. We hear accounts from various people who recount their own experiences where they display such physical strength. Banner has a personal interest in this as he is still grieving over the sudden passing of his wife and he feels responsible for not being able to save her. Dissatisfied with the results of his findings, Banner stays til late at his place of work and subjects himself to an experiment. This experiment consists of Banner injecting himself with nearly 2,000,000 units of Gamma radiation. That night during a thunderstorm, he tries to change a flat tyre on the open road. Upon injuring himself, Banner screams and suddenly a startling metamorphosis occurs. Here marks the first appearance of the Incredible Hulk in a live action television show. This scene is a moment in American television history as a T.V icon was born. Usually with a "Hulk Out" moment, it took about 10 seconds to complete on screen. With this first transformation, it takes nearer 45 seconds and it is impeccably done. No computers in those days, what you saw was what you got. Initially, Lou Ferrigno looks quite menacing and frightening. He was looking quite ripped, as far as his physique was concerned. After the Hulk changes back to Banner, the latter attempts to ascertain what happened and how he can study his affliction. With the help of a trusted colleague and close friend Elaina Marks, Banner retreats to a private research facility. He finally discovers that it is anger, outrage or stress that triggers his own malady. Meanwhile, journalist Jack McGee is in hot pursuit of a big story after eyewitness accounts describe a big, green creature who is in the immediate vicinity. After the journalist has hidden himself away at the research facility and is then escorted off the premises, a huge explosion occurs and Banners colleague is trapped under some rubble. As the Hulk, Banner rescues her from the blaze but she dies in his arms. The final scene is a funeral. McGee escaped from the fire but Banner and his friend Elaina Marks are being buried after their deaths were recorded. Banner however, is alive and well. He knows that it is better for all concerned that he remain in hiding and his death faked, until he can somehow cure himself or find some way to control his raging alter ego. After the funeral service, there is a long pause and everyone has gone. Then out of nowhere, David Banner appears at the graveside to pay his respects to Elaina. The pilot episode is a powerful and gripping viewing experience. What helps this to work, is that there aren't any villains, the total number of cast members is small and the whole thing is fairly low key. All these things work wonders. We hear Bill Bixby say the now famous line: "Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry." It is a line that has been often repeated. "Universal" studios were somewhat surprised by the successful viewing figures for "The Incredible Hulk" television film. Before the studio agreed to commission a regular series, they needed a bit more assurance and more convincing that the series would work. Hence why a follow up television, called "The Return of the Incredible Hulk" was made. This is a thoughtful as well as thought- provoking pilot episode and it will never be equalled as far as adaptations of "Marvel Comic" superheroes are concerned.

Extended pilot episode for the popular television series of the 1970s, this two hour mini-movie explains the origins and creation of everyone's favourite jolly green giant. Although the story is good and the central casting spot on, this generally left me cold; invariably the special effects have dated and seen in today's light the transformations look pitiful (Fredric March did much better back in 1932 with his transformation into Mr Hyde). There is also an infantile element to the movie, with the Hulk portrayed as a childish brute. Lou Ferrigno looks the imposing part with his incredible physique, but his incessant grunting and ludicrous green wig reduce the visual power of his being and instead just make him look a little laughable.Bill Bixby is good as the tortured Doctor, haunted by his inability to save his wife from death when others have succeeded in similar circumstances; best of all is Susan Sullivan, who adds a level of credibility to her character which ups the film a notch. The origins of the Hulk are explained carefully with a scientific explanation which sounds good at least; Bixby's character is given a great set-up for his unauthorised experimentation on himself, a breath of fresh air when the reasons for such activities are usually left unsaid. The action sequences are short and tend to make too much use of silly slow motion which hampers any excitement the film tries to generate. Oddly affecting is the explosively-charged finale which adds a mature, tragic element previously missing. Overall I personally didn't enjoy this a whole lot, but comic fans may want to check it out as the first attempt.

I had watched countless episodes of The Incredible Hulk TV series but I had never seen the original pilot. Sure, I watched like everyone else - the powerful opening credits each week made from snippets of the pilot - but I had never actually laid eyes on that show until now.It did not disappoint me.Okay - it was TV fare with a 70s look and some less-than-spectacular special effects in the Hulk-outs but the story, the performances and the character development throughout - made up for those other shortcomings. Bixby too is an endearing actor who brings the audience in and makes them want to root for him. Sullivan plays his able scientist friend very well and has the added bonus of being extremely easy on the eye. Ferrigno as the hulk has limited range but in fairness to him - what can you really do when painted green and asked to hit nearby things as hard as you can whilst growling uncontrollably. Even De Niro might find that a stretch. Colvin as the investigative reporter reminded me of Willem Dafoe - but just not as good an actor.Nonetheless - the main man here is Bixby and he is a good leading man. He manages to portray himself with dignity, weaknesses, strengths and most of all humanity throughout the course of the movie. The film takes it time telling the story and manages to successfully deviate from the comic book origins making the premise more accessible and believable throughout. Quite a feat when you think of it. After all, there was an outcry when they changed the main character's name from Bruce to David. But it worked - so well in fact that I wondered why Ang Lee changed the name back when he made Hulk - so convinced was I that Bill Bixby will always be David Banner.An excellent pilot movie and a fitting start to a great series.8/10.

Dr. David Banner still having recurring dreams of his wife's death via car accident eleven months later is studying the reserve of strength that the average human could conceivably be capable of. Fed up with hearing that people in other similar crash could save their loved ones while he, himself, could not, he chooses to use gamma radiation on himself. However he gets a larger dose then he thought that he was going to get and thus the incredible Hulk was born. This pilot for the subsequent TV series captures the sad melancholy feel that the series later would later do so well. It's everything that Ang Lee film SHOULD have been and more.My Grade: A- DVD Extras: Intro by Lou Ferrigno; Commentary with Director/Writer Ken Johnson; a featurette on the Ang Lee travesty; a preview of the Hulk game (the crappy one, not the glorious "Ultimate Destruction"); An except from the Hulk novelization; Trailers for "Fast & the Furious: Tricked out Edition", "Hulk", the "Monk" pilot, & "Taken"