Review of The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) by Bradley N — 23 Dec 2015

The best of the three made-for-TV Incredible Hulk movies in my opinion, despite the major continuity flaw of Banner's incognito beard in the first half disappearing when he hulks out. Bill Bixby had shared some uncredited directing duties on the previous movie.

Now, one year later, he is given full directing credit and he starts by recording a new simplified voice-over for the opening credits. Banner, under yet another assumed identity, tries to remain anonymous and keep his head down in the big city, but is arrested after the Hulk stands up to two lascivious criminals on the subway and then changes back.

His assigned legal counsel is none other than Matt Murdock (Rex Smith), so we are treated to another superhero crossover with Daredevil. Daredevil wears a sleek black costume and demonstrates fairly impressive gymnastic and martial arts skills, so I don't mind that he steals the focus from Banner and the Hulk.

Criminal, cutting-edge tech genius Wilson Frisk AKA Kingpin (voiced with a purr by John Rhys-Davies) wants to take control of the whole city's criminal underworld and, of course, eliminate that pesky Daredevil.

Even with Frisk trying to cover up a jewelry heist and Murdock trying to protect two witnesses who saw a couple of the robbers there is still time for some creative Hulk transformations including the title one (can you spot Stan Lee's cameo?).

A true ally, a little detective work, a deadly trap, and a big final showdown all add up to an exciting time.