John Plocar I grew up watching the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno "The Incredible Hulk" television series as well as the made-for-TV movies, so in going back to watching this I am tempted to bring in a bit of nostalgia but I will do my best in suppressing that as much as possible to give a relatively objective review. However, I still found this to be entertaining. To this day I can appreciate the sense optimism in the writing and film making that came from the 1980s. Even though "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk" was 1989, I can still feel that optimism and go along with the fun that it brings; even with all its faults and missed opportunities I can still sit and enjoy it for what it is. A care free, fun comic book television film. Even with the fun I had, I do want to bring up the aspects I have against the movie first before ending on its strengths. For instance, a film called "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk"...there's no trial. Unless you count one dream sequence that runs a little too long, then that's it. This felt like a completely missed opportunity to put David Banner and the Hulk on trial. This could have been a very interesting commentary on the people who commit crimes that have been diagnosed with split or multiple personality disorders. I believe there could have been a lot of material to work off of in those regards and gave the audience something with much more depth to it in a time where comic book movies hadn't gone far down before. But to be fair, that's not necessarily what the original series was all about. It had heart of course, but it wasn't known for its social commentary. The show, as well as the TV movies are a campy good time; albeit with a grounded and internally tormented lead character. And another thing that I have a small gripe about is *SPOILER ALERT* how the villain, Wilson Fisk, gets away. He flies off in an aircraft that I would have seen the Fantastic Four riding around in, which is a little too silly for how relatively grounded the film was being prior. Yes, it did have plenty of its campy moments but it never felt like a cartoon...for the most part...until the end. Other than that this was still enjoyable for what it is. As long as you're not trying to take it too seriously then it shouldn't be hard to get into. Bill Bixby does yet another great job in the role of David Banner and shows that he did have some talent behind the camera as a director. It's always fun to see Lou Ferrigno pummeling some bad guys. Rex Smith as Matt Murdock/DareDevil is actually pretty fun and charismatic. And the Kingpin, played by John Rhys-Davies is obviously chewing some scenery. In terms of villains, he isn't a very well developed character but at that point the Kingpin was known best for just being a big bald guy that runs crime from atop his tower so the actor did what he could to at least make him a little fun to watch. So if this sounds like you could sit and have some mindless fun then here you go.

srepolt Since the release of Marvels new Netflix Daredevil series, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit this TV movie. I have always been a fan of The 1970's Incredible Hulk TV show. I thought Bill Bixby played the human side of the Hulk very well and quite honestly, I don't think any of the newer actors have come close to his portrayal. What makes the three TV Hulk movies interesting is that Bixby intended to finish the Hulk saga since the television series ended abruptly without giving the show or story a proper farewell. The first Incredible Hulk TV movie featured Thor and the story of Donald Blake while the second film featured Matt Murdock aka Daredevil. You can clearly tell that this film intended to be back door pilot for a future Daredevil TV series because the story mostly focuses on Matt Murdock and his war on crime against the Kingpin. This movie is by no means great but it does do something's right and for me it was fun seeing Bixby reprise the role of David Banner. As I understand, Frank Miller used the look of Daredevil in this film when he wrote his retailing of Daredevils origins in his Man Without Fear mini series. It appears that Marvel, Netflix and co were also heavily influenced by Daredevils look in this film when they were designing Daredevils urban ninja costume in the current Netflix series. If you are a fan of the 70's Hulk show you will definitely find some entertainment in this. If your curious about where Daredevils black ninja outfit came from then this movie is worth a watch. This movie is cheese but in a good 1980's way and if you love superheroes as much as I do, then give this a watch.

daltonml-1 After a terrific comeback in 1988's "Incredible Hulk Returns", which guest starred Thor, Dr. David Banner and The Hulk return again in 1989 for "Trial Of The Incredible Hulk", this time guest starring Daredevil.However, in this second TV Hulk reunion, Dr. Banner is accused of assaulting a woman on a subway, which was mainly the faults of these two punks who just escaped a jewel heist. Banner must stand trial for this crime, for which he didn't commit, and has Matt Murdock as his lawyer, played by Rex Smith. And Murdock, as all comic book fans should know, is secretly Daredevil.However, Banner tries so hard to convince Murdock he can't stand trial due to the fact he changes into something, while trying also to protect his secret of The Hulk while convincing Murdock.The "trial" turns out to be nothing more than just a dream of Dr. Banner's, where The Hulk shows up in this dream and crashes the courtroom. Shades Of "Dallas" and Pam Ewing! Look closely during this dream scene and you'll Stan Lee in the jury box.Smith's Daredevil is nothing what Ben Affleck would make look more realistic to the comic book in the 2003 "Daredevil" motion picture. Instead, we have this cheap black ninja-like costume that is so bad, you'd think this more of a karate movie than a "Hulk" reunion movie. And did we get an origin scene of Smith's Daredevil? Nope. Just a little explanation spoken by Matt Murdock, which goes to show him, actions are better than words.Jack McGee, (Jack Colvin) the nosy tabloid reporter from the classic 70's TV Hulk series, is nowhere in this movie, which could've made this more interesting to watch. His character was desperately missed and needed.The movie wasn't all bad, it just needed to be a bit more interesting.

Carycomic Seems like I critiqued this, already, but I can't remember where. Anyway, I'll try to keep it brief. Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, as Dr. Banner and the Hulk, respectively? Incredible, as always. John Rhys-Davies as the Kingpin? Makes his performance 100 percent convincing, as usual. Rex Smith as Daredevil? Compared to the current Ben Affleck version, he looks more like that other blind Marvel hero, the Shroud (sans cape and Darkforce taffy). But, the martial arts/gymnastics are stupendous! I'd say: three stars out of four. *All four naturally belong to Affleck's movie.*