Outline:
A Comparison of Two Thor Movies: Love and Thunder vs. The Incredible Hulk Returns
For many Marvel fans, Thor: Love and Thunder is seen as one of the weaker entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Despite having a compelling villain in Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher and an enjoyable cameo from the Guardians of the Galaxy, the film was criticized for its subpar visual effects and forced comedic moments. It was intended to be a grander and more successful follow-up to Thor: Ragnarok, but it fell short. Today, it’s often associated with a low point in the MCU’s history.
However, Love and Thunder is actually better than another forgotten Thor movie that deserves attention. The Incredible Hulk Returns, which premiered on NBC on May 22, 1988, was a hit at the time but has aged poorly. This film marked Thor’s live-action debut, with the character portrayed by Eric Allan Kramer, known for his role as Scott Miller on AMC’s Lodge 49. If you’re curious enough to watch it, be warned—regret might be your next emotion.
Banner’s Mission and the Clash with Thor
One of the most memorable scenes from the Avengers films involves Thor defeating the Hulk with Mjolnir. The Incredible Hulk Returns has a similar moment, though it’s not nearly as impactful. Before their fight, we are introduced to a “changed” Dr. David Banner, not Bruce Banner. Like many superheroes, he’s tired of saving the world. But what’s the issue with these guys? Can’t they see how much we need them?
Dr. David Banner is working at the Joshua-Lambert Research Institute, where he and a team of scientists are developing the Gamma Transponder, an energy source. However, he secretly wants to use it to cure his gamma alteration, hoping to live a normal life with a young widow he’s romantically involved with. His plan unravels when his former student, Donald Blake, approaches him, revealing that he found a hammer containing the soul of Thor during an expedition in Norway. Now, the iconic Marvel character won’t stop bothering him. Blake wants Banner’s help to make Thor go away. Before they can figure it out, Thor appears and forces Banner to turn into the Hulk. The two then fight, destroying the lab and ruining their progress with the Gamma Transponder. Eventually, Thor and Hulk become friends, but the movie is filled with cartoonish antics before the heroes reach an understanding.
Disregarding Asgardian Lore
The Incredible Hulk Returns has several major flaws, the most glaring being its poor characterization of Thor. The version of Thor we see here is nothing like the one in the MCU or the comics. In fact, the changes are quite off-putting. Thor is portrayed as a mindless brute, similar to the Hulk, rather than the charming alpha male we’ve come to expect in recent years.
Worse still, this version of Thor is neither Asgardian nor a god. He is a deceased Viking king who was denied entry to Valhalla for being arrogant. To gain access, he must perform heroic acts—a plot point that is highly unoriginal, borrowing heavily from the trials of Heracles in Greek mythology. Additionally, this Thor is weaker than the ones we know. He cannot fly or levitate, and his hammer isn’t restricted by the "worthiness enchantment" placed over it by Odin.
The film also leans into the cheesy ’80s camp, with over-the-top slapstick, kindergarten humor, exaggerated performances, and a lighter tone that undermines any emotional depth. It lacks the drama and psychological stakes that modern superhero films often have. If you were hoping for a strong villain like Gorr the God Butcher, you’ll be disappointed. Instead, Thor and Hulk face off against a regular gang.
Visuals and Production Quality
If you thought the visuals, costumes, and hairstyling were poor in Thor: Love and Thunder, wait until you see The Incredible Hulk Returns. Thor looks like he was pulled from the Asterix comics, and Hulk is nothing more than a man in green paint. That said, Lou Ferrigno, who played Hulk, trained hard to gain the muscle mass needed to credibly portray the character. According to the DVD commentary, he gained 45 pounds in three months. The film is clearly a product of its time, but after watching it, you’ll likely appreciate what Taika Waititi achieved in Thor 4 even more.