Le procès de l'incroyable Hulk

RELEASED TO TV IN 1989 and directed by Bill Bixby, "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk" is the second of three movies in the wake of the TV series that ran from 1977-82.

PLOT AND MAIN CAST: Drifter David Banner (Bill Bixby) is held as a suspect in a crime connected to the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk (John Rhys-Davies), but is helped by blind lawyer, Matt Murdock (Rex Smith), who knows he's telling the truth and just so happens to be the masked crime-fighter Daredevil. Lou Ferrigno plays the jade giant while Nancy Everhard appears as Murdock's office associate. Marta DuBois plays the crime victim manipulated by the Kingpin.

This one isn't as good as the previous "The Incredible Hulk Returns" (1988) because it's hard to beat Eric Allan Kramer's charismatic performance as Thor. The way Daredevil is depicted in his first appearance on the screen is pretty faithful to the comics (a mix of Stan Lee's original version with Frank Miller's early 80's version), except that the creators inexplicably opted for an all-black costume rather than dark red. Perhaps it was cheaper to have a black costume or maybe they felt it would be more realistic. Either way, it was a mistake. Nevertheless, the costume's not bad and it sorta makes Daredevil look like a ninja.

Daredevil's origin is eventually divulged and it's pretty interesting. I always felt he was one of the more fascinating superheroes due to his blindness and heightened other senses. It would take fourteen more years before Daredevil would make his theatrical debut (2003) and 26 years before he'd get his own TV series (2015). Ferrigno is effective as usual as the green goliath. Unfortunately, the creators fumble the ball in the female department as the characters played by Dubois and Everhard are pretty unsubstantial.

THE FILM RUNS 93 minutes and was shot in the Vancouver, B.C., area. WRITER: Gerald Di Pego.

GRADE: B-/C+

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk was the second in a trilogy of made-for-television films continuing the agonizing journey of scientist David Banner and his quest to cure him of the inner monster called the Hulk. The Trial of the Incredible Hulk stands as the best of the bunch, and remains a fairly well-written and superbly acted telepic.

Banner is arrested and charged for a crime he doesn't commit while travelling through a city. His court-appointed attorney is the blind Matt Murdock, who strives to free Banner, who feels he must be locked up. Murdock is also fighting against the corruption of Wilson Fisk, the city's resident crime lord, in the guise of the oddly black-suited Daredevil. We find that like Banner, Murdock had an accident with radioactive materials, but while taking his sight, the atomic trauma left Matt with enhanced senses of smell, hearing, taste, touch, and radar-like sensory perception.

The late, great Bill Bixby is in top form as the strained David Banner, and his brutish counterpart, the Hulk, is again portrayed intensely by the legendary Lou Ferrigno. Rex Smith, veteran of a variety of television shows and soap operas, is excellent as Matt Murdock, and his athletic alter ego, Daredevil. Smith delivers most of the best lines in this film, and might have been a good lead in a spin-off Daredevil series. Character actor John Rhys-Davies is Wilson Fisk, the cool and calculated crime boss, known by the moniker, the Kingpin, in the comics.

The film's effects and action sequences are standard television fare -- done quickly and cheaply -- but still, it is a very promising and uplifting film, right down to its exciting climax and positive ending.

Recommended.

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.*

David Banner (Bill Bixby) has been drifting and avoiding confrontations after faking his own death. He fears his anger could turn him into The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) after the gamma radiation experiment. Blind lawyer Matt Murdock is secretly superhero Daredevil. His nemesis is wealthy criminal Wilson Fisk (John Rhys-Davies) who directs a diamond store heist from the comforts of his tower. In the subway, two of Fisk's men harass Ellie Mendez. Banner gets in the middle and turns into the Hulk. He ends up getting arrested after Mendez is threatened and she turns witness against Banner. Murdock takes on his case. Christa Klein is his assistant. Albert G. Tendelli is an incorruptible police captain.

I watched The Incredible Hulk sporadically when I was a child. The sad tone probably put me off. Watching this as an adult, I'm appreciating the characterization of Banner. The Hulk makes a few appearances including a dream sequence of the trial with a Stan Lee cameo. It's missing a final big Hulk battle with Fisk's organization. That could have been epic. This is sort of a backdoor pilot for a Daredevil series that never happened. The cast is good and there is some possibilities. Filming in Vancouver does hold it back. This is an interesting attempt at comic book adaptation back in the old days.

I've always been a fan of the Marvel characters but, by the time I was old enough to properly watch Bill Bixby's 'Incredible Hulk' series, it just seemed rather dated, especially since my head was filled with the special effects of the first two 'Superman' films. It also didn't help that the big, green hero terrified me as a child! That said, this film is enjoyable enough to catch the first live-action look at Daredevil (one of my personal favourites of the Marvel characters) and his interactions with David Banner.

The film sees David Banner, whose alter-ego is the Incredible Hulk, intervening in the mugging of a woman only to end up accused of assault when the victim mistakenly thinks he was the one who attacked her. When the case goes to trial, Banner finds himself represented by blind Matt Murdock, lawyer by day and crime-fighting Daredevil by night. Murdock hopes Banner can help him bring down a powerful crime bass and soon circumstances see the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil working towards the same goal.

Bill Bixby gives a decent performance as the down-trodden, world-weary David Banner, a man persecuted for his alter-ego yet still determined to do the right thing. Rex Smith also delivers in his role as Matt Murdock, giving those not familiar with the character a glimpse of what he could do, and John Rhys Davies excels as always as the Kingpin.

The main reason for watching 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk' is to see the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil's connect and rub shoulders with one another. Of course, this Matt Murdock not only has a less flashier suit but he's living in the lap of luxury in some mansion instead of struggling in a Hell's Kitchen apartment on his meagre wage but it's a rare chance to see two Marvel series' mingle and the film handles it well, showing the strengths and flaws of both characters and how both have their fights in life. This is a film for Marvel fans and those who would liked Ben Affleck's 'Daredevil' film and need something to tide them over until the possible sequel is released.