DVD reviews: ‘Incredible Hulk,’ ‘Casino Royale’

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 3:42 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 2008

“The Incredible Hulk”
The angry green guy returns in a new big-screen incarnation, with Edward Norton taking over as Bruce Banner, the scientist who turns into the Hulk when provoked after an experiment goes wrong. This installment has Banner on the run as he tries to find a cure for his condition, reunite with his girlfriend (Liv Tyler) and battle the Abomination, a fellow beast created by military honchos looking for cool new weapons. A three-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray set contain deleted scenes including an alternate opening, segments on transforming Norton into the Hulk and co-star Tim Roth into the Abomination, cast and crew commentary and a digital copy of the movie. The flick also comes in a single-disc DVD release with deleted scenes. Single-disc DVD, $29.98; three-disc DVD set, $34.98; two-disc Blu-ray set, $39.98. (Universal) Read the review.

“The Strangers”

Video   ‘The Strangers’ Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star as a couple who is targeted by a trio of masked killers. Buena Vista Pictures

Just what every couple needs: masked, armed, brutal marauders at their secluded vacation home. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star as the terrorized couple, who begin their evening in celebration at the wedding of friends but wind up facing savagery as intruders take over their home in the middle of the night. The DVD and Blu-ray releases come with both the R-rated theatrical version and an unrated cut that adds footage. Extras include deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes segment. DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.98. (Universal) Read the review.

“Casino Royale”
With Daniel Craig set to reprise his James Bond role in “Quantum of Solace,” his first 007 adventure arrives in a new DVD version and debuts on Blu-ray. The film takes Bond back to his early days as a raw operative for British intelligence, taking on a terrorism financier in a high-stakes poker tournament and meeting — then losing — the love of his life (Eva Green). The three-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray sets have segments on the stunt work, the legacy of Bond women and Craig’s preparations to take over a role previously handled by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and three other actors. DVD set, $28.96; Blu-ray set, $38.96. (Sony) Read the review.

Also out is a new DVD version of the 1967 spoof version of Bond creator Ian Fleming’s “Casino Royale,” featuring a horde of “James Bonds” including David Niven, Peter Sellers and Woody Allen. The disc includes commentary with a couple of Bond experts and a making-of featurette. DVD, $19.98. (MGM)

And some of the gadget-loving Bond’s past exploits also come to high-definition for the first time as six 007 titles debut on Blu-ray. Two three-disc sets pack three Bond films each, one with “Dr. No,” “Die Another Day” and “Live and Let Die,” the other with “For Your Eyes Only,” “From Russia With Love” and “Thunderball.” Each Blu-ray title also is available separately. Three-disc sets, $89.98 each; single titles, $34.98 each. (MGM)

“Missing”
Filmmaker Costa-Gavras’ 1982 drama starring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek debuts in a new DVD edition featuring a digital restoration and a nice range of extras. Based on the true story of Charles Horman, a journalist who vanished during the 1973 coup in Chile, the film stars Lemmon as Horman’s father on a trek to Latin America to unravel the dense mystery surrounding his son’s disappearance. Spacek co-stars as Horman’s wife. Among the extras are interviews with Costa-Gavras, Horman’s real-life wife and Thomas Hauser, whose book was the basis for the film. The two-disc set also has cast and crew interviews from the 1982 Cannes Film Festival and segments with Spacek and other co-stars from a 2002 event marking the film’s 20th anniversary. DVD set, $39.95. (Criterion)

TV on DVD:

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Complete Series” — Previously available by mail-order only, the full run of the 1960s spy series now comes to general retail stores. The show stars Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as operatives for the United Network Command for Law Enforcement, which battles legions of bad guys bent on taking over the world. The mammoth 41-disc set packs all 105 episodes from the show’s four seasons, plus interviews with the two stars and other collaborators and segments on the show’s gadgets, music, women and guest stars. DVD set, $199.92. (Warner Bros.)

“Knight Rider: The Complete Collection” — David Hasselhoff returns as the detective whose partner is a souped-up talking car. All 90 episodes from the 1980s action show’s four seasons are packed in a 24-disc set, which also includes the TV movie follow-up “Knight Rider 2000.” Among the extras are interviews with Hasselhoff and producer Glen Larson, who also provide commentary for the series pilot. DVD set, $119.98. (Universal)

“The Outer Limits: The Complete Original Series, Volumes 1-3” — The creepy 1960s anthology series returns to DVD in a seven-disc set packing all 49 episodes. The show blended science fiction, fantasy and horror to explore human nature, featuring weekly guest stars that included Robert Duvall, Cliff Robertson, Robert Culp, Martin Landau, Sally Kellerman, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. DVD set, $59.98. (MGM)

“Family Guy: Volume 6” — The animated hit centers on a messed-up family whose dog is brighter than the humans and whose infant child is plotting Armageddon. A three-disc set has 12 episodes from seasons five and six, along with a huge batch of deleted scenes and a making-of segment on the series’ 100th episode. DVD set, $39.98. (20th Century Fox)

“According to Jim: The Complete First Season” — Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith star in the sitcom that debuted in 2001 about a brash dad, his peppy wife and their three kids. The first 22 episodes come in a four-disc set, which includes commentary and cast featurettes. DVD set, $39.98. (Lionsgate)

“Dynasty: The Third Season, Volume Two” — John Forsythe, Joan Collins and Linda Evans are back in the 1980s prime-time soap about a rich family in a perpetual state of domestic and business conflict. The three-disc set has the last half of year three. DVD set, $35.98. (Paramount)

MORE FROM MOVIES

Movies Section Front

‘Avatar’ could get nine Oscar nominations Grio: 10 most important black films of decade ‘Nine’ women latest to bewitch and bewilder Brittany Murphy had movies in the works How Robert Downey Jr. got his groove back Sexy Dr. Watson? It’s elementary for Jude Law Downey brings action to ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Man wins ‘Christmas Story’ house sleepover Utah man who inspired ‘Rain Man’ dies ‘Avatar’ blasts off with $232 million worldwide Movies Section Front   Add Movies headlines to your news reader: