The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk Review

MPAA Rating: NR
Released: 1989

Sometimes it just doesn't pay to perform good deeds, as The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk serves to prove. David Banner (aka the Incredible Hulk) attempts to stop a subway mugging, but rather than be applauded as a hero he is arrested for assault and sent to the slammer! That's just too much for one person to take, and it's inevitable that his anger will take control of him and cause the Hulk to come forth once again…

After the huge success and welcome reception for 1988's The Incredible Hulk Returns, it was almost inevitable that a sequel would be created. One year later, that is exactly what happened with the television release of The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk.

One day David Banner (Bill Bixby) interrupts an assault on a New York subway. There are just two problems:

Instead of being thanked for his intercession he is arrested by the police and charged with assault.
The two thugs he interrupted are cronies that work for The Kingpin (John Rhys-Davies), the ruthless head of an international crime syndicate.

Luckily for Banner, a blind attorney by the name of Matt Murdock (Rex Smith) comes along and insists on defending him from the criminal charges. Murdock has an ulterior motive for his help – he wishes to bring down the Kingpin's organization using the knowledge Banner gained during his previous run-in with the Kingpin's henchmen. Oh, and there's just one other small detail… Murdock is a lawyer by day and an agile crime fighter by night by the name of Daredevil.

Eventually the two come together, in large part due to the similar secrets, experiences and tribulations they share. United with a common purpose, the Daredevil and the Incredible Hulk set forth to take on the might of the Kingpin's organization.

Bill Bixby was more than just a gifted actor; he was also a director. The reason I point this out is he also directed this film with adept handling. If you watched the Hulk television series or either of the two previous Incredible Hulk movies, you'll know what to expect with this one also.

This movie is great fun and ample proof that solid acting and passion will always beat computer-generated creations. Just look at the 2003 version of the Hulk for evidence of this; the movie was a very flat and unimpressive effort due to its reliance on a computer-generated Hulk. I'll take genuine heart (which the duo of Bixby and Lou Ferrigno offered) over computer glitz any day of the week.

Although this was a fun film, it wasn't without flaws. I think John Rhys-Davies is a great actor and I generally his films, but he just wasn't perfect for the part of the Kingpin. He gave it a good attempt and didn't actually hurt the movie, but when I compare his version of the Kingpin to that of Michael Clarke Duncan's in 2003's The Daredevil I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. Duncan was just a closer reflection of the comic book character.

The Daredevil's costume wasn't true to the comics either, but while this was a little off-putting for me at first in the end I was satisfied with Rex Smith's performance. He played the role of Murdock/Daredevil well enough.

I enjoyed this made-for-television movie, but I don't feel it quite possessed the same level of charm as The Incredible Hulk Returns. For that reason I have to give the slight nod to the previous Hulk film, but that being said both are worthy of your time if you're a fan of comics or lighthearted action films.

Since The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk is bundled with The Incredible Hulk Returns as part of a two-DVD set, luckily you don't need to choose between them! You'll get both movies as well as a large assortment of interviews, documentaries and extras with the value-packed set.

Movie rating: 7 stars

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