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The Incredible Hulk - Series 3 - Complete [1979]


RRP: £34.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The Incredible Hulk's third season (1979-1980) continued to cultivate the intriguing mix of melancholy drama and room-wrecking action that initially attracted its audience, while exploring new ways to tell the story of David Banner (Bill Bixby) and his quest to tame the monster (Lou Ferrigno) inside him. Most of the episodes follow the Fugitive-like framework of the previous seasons, with Banner becoming entangled in dramas both big and small on his lonely journey; over the course of the third season, he rescues a glam rock singer (Mackenzie Phillips) in the season opener "Metamorphosis", gets blackmailed by mobsters in "Nine Hours," and winds up on a chain gang in "The Slam" (actor Charles Napier, who provided the growls for the Hulk in later seasons, is among the episode's guest stars). But the creators also stepped away from the formula for several episodes, including "Proof Positive," which gives a back story to dogged reporter Jack McGee and a terrific showcase for actor Jack Colvin; "Homecoming" also fleshes out Banner's history by introducing his family in a Thanksgiving setting, which is naturally disrupted by the arrival of the Hulk.

The season is not without its false notes ("Behind the Wheel" has Banner turning into the Hulk while attempting to deliver a baby), but for the most part, it's one of the show's most solid seasons, anchored as always by Bixby's enormously empathetic performance. --Paul Gaita


Terrific Season - But where are the Special Features?
Review date: 2008-08-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

Season One has Kenneth Johnson's sublime pilot film and a string of well made episodes. Season Two develops the format fully, imbuing more depth to the stories and giving each main guest character a "hulk" of their own, be it an abusive alcoholic father or a terminal disease, to mirror Banner's plight. And reporter Jack McGee gets thrown right off the scent when he witnesses a facially bandaged, amnesiac "John Doe" change into the Hulk before his very eyes (Did "John" kill David Banner and Elaina Marks?).

But for me, it is the third season that delivers consistent high quality. Some have said it is lacklustre, but I think it is well made and exudes confidence. The three regulars, Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno and Jack Colvin are on top form. The guest characters are well rounded, and the situations Banner encounters are, for the most part, believable. Hats off to series originator Kenneth Johnson, producer Robert Steinhauer, writer/directors Nicholas Corea and Andrew Schneider, and writing partners Karen Harris and Jill Sherman.

There are more top quality episodes in this season than its predecessors. In "Homecoming", David chances meeting up with his sister and father to let them know he's still alive. In "The Snare", Banner is taken to a private island owned by a hunter - trouble is, he likes to hunt people, and when he sees David metamorphose into the Hulk, the game is raised. Jack McGee gets his own episode in "Proof Positive" (Bixby is only seen in flashback sequences, of which there are plenty) and the story explores what motivates the reporter. While, in "The Psychic", Banner is led to believe his alter-ego really has killed someone, and is so profoundly affected, he contemplates suicide ("The curse may not be the creature I turn into, but the man that I have become.").

Other recommended episodes are "Metamorphosis" - David helps a rock star find her true self; "Brain Child" - a teen genius on the run; "The Slam" - Banner gets banged up in a work camp where the system is corrupt; "Broken Image" - David is mistaken for a mafia boss who looks just like him (great duel role from Bixby in this); "Sideshow" - Banner works for a creepy circus; "Falling Angels" - girls in an orphanage are exploited for crime; and "Equinox" - David is subject to the whims of a temperamental rich girl, and hides in the shadows from McGee ("It's over, John. You might as well give up.").

Now, like me, you will have read on Kenneth Johnson's web site that the great man himself, along with Bob Steinhauer, Karen Harris and Jill Sherman, were interviewed for a special feature. Indeed, when purchasing this release, the special features are what I was most looking forward to watching. Well, I have news for you - THERE AREN'T ANY.

Universal Playback deemed it good to give us a Johnson commentary on Season One and an interview with Kenny on Season Two. However, for Season Three, they have reserved the extra features for Region 1 users only. That's nice of them - the cheapskates.

So, if you are able to watch Region 1, I recommend buying that version. But if you don't, the episodes themselves make this set worth owning.


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Reviews


stirring, very human drama with feeling.
Review date: 2008-06-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

season 3 of 'The incredibe hulk' has just about everything. Action, human drama, light moments, and sadness.

Bill Bixby, Lou ferrigno and Jack Colvin return for a third seaosn of this wonderful show.

Lets start off with the action.

season opener, 'metamorphosis', is the weaker of the season openers but is nervertheless, a wonderful episode. Mckenzie Philips gust stars as Lisa Swan who goes from sweet girl to crazed rock star to please the fans. can david help her understand herself and help her come to terms with the severe injury of a young girl at one of her concerts.

'Blind rage' and 'brain child' are wonderful too. Brain child stars Robin dearden as Joleen Collin's, a young girl whose intelligence led her to be abandoned at an institue by her frightened mother. Can David/ the hulk save the day?

human drama
'Homecoming' sees david return home to Denver collarado to the Banner farm to build bridges with his sister and father who he blamed for the death of his mother.

Sadness

'the Psychic'
David accidentaly bumps into a young woman triggering a vision of David as the Hulk. Can the pair both on the run help each other? There is one scene featuring amazing acting from Bixby (Banner) when david thinks the hulk is resposible for the death of a young boy the ensuing tears look so real a heartbreaking scene.

all in all, season 3 is a real treat.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Fred Ward
Robert Davi
Bill Bixby
Jack Colvin
Lou Ferrigno

Creators:
Bill Bixby (Primary Contributor)
Lou Ferrigno (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582551297
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-06-02
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 1049 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1979

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