I was old enough to be a fan of the original television series of 'The Incredible Hulk', though it seems a distant memory. There is nothing specific I remember but the end credits with Banner walking away or hitching a lift coupled with the beautiful piano music. stick mostly in my mind.
This is the third and final TV movie following on from the TV series. First came 'The Incredible Hulk Returns' which although nostalgic at the story continuing, it was quite laughable with the appearance of Thor. Then came 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk', which I haven't seen for a long while. It featured Daredevil and from what I remember, it is that much cop either.
Now we come to this instalment, 'The Death of the Incredible Hulk'. This is a completely different kettle of fish. Gone are the usual opening titles and the first scenes see Bill Bixby's Dr David Banner (Bellamy) apparently a cleaner with a submissive perhaps with learning difficulties. It is uncomfortable viewing for the usual Hulk viewer as it is out of character. Watching the film soon shows you why he is acting like that.
The film itself is basically about the fight to make a perfect soldier, both to end all wars and to use within wars. This is probably classed as one of the last Cold war films. It is a simple good versus evil tale.
The tone is quite different from most Hulk work and Bixby, looking tired plays it to perfection. It is one of the few occasions where Banner reveals who he is to people. In fact, the scene where Banner see a video recording of The Hulk for the first time is moving. Hardly and dialogue, however the facial expression says it all. During the film Banner comes close to getting the cure he so desires.
The final scenes of the film are actually very moving. Especially for those who have followed the Hulk. (I have never seen the two new Hulk films, to me The Hulk is Bixby and Ferrigno and always will be). I had heard/read that The Hulk feel from a plane and died but what did happen came as a little surprise. As he clambered into a plane a gunshot goes off blowing it up. Now, we do see a conscious Hulk falling a very long way. Now I have read that he had survived a fall like this in the TV Series. However, you must question that perhaps being at ground zero so to speak of the explosion was enough to kill him. He was fully conscious though. It must be said the music used as he falls "And Something Ends' is truly beautiful and fits perfectly what is about to happen.
The stand out moments happen here. Firstly, during the music we see The Hulk talk! He mouthes the name 'Jasmine' who he had fallen in love with during the film. Sadly, we don't hear it as it is during the music. Then we see Banner say 'I am free'. Whether The Hulk within him died, then, he died as well or The Hulk died because Banner was dying is an interesting talking point. Either way, it was moving yet sad as Banner never got a chance to live without this demon.
One omission is that of Mr McGee. How poignant and touching would it have been to have him at The Hulk's death. Perhaps seeing for the first time what this creature had made Banner into and how it affected his life perhaps would have been a good resolution.
As a footnote, this wasn't meant to be the last film! The 4th in the series had two working titles: 'The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk' & 'The Rebirth of the Incredible Hulk'. The storyline would have seen The Hulk revived with Dr David Banner's mind. To me, I would have loved to have seen this. But due to Bixby's sad passing just three years later it never came to be. In hindsight, this ending now fits perfectly.
For those of you thinking of rewatching the TV series, make sure you make you way through the episodes and then end with this. A truly moving journey and highly recommended.
This is the third and final TV movie following on from the TV series. First came 'The Incredible Hulk Returns' which although nostalgic at the story continuing, it was quite laughable with the appearance of Thor. Then came 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk', which I haven't seen for a long while. It featured Daredevil and from what I remember, it is that much cop either.
Now we come to this instalment, 'The Death of the Incredible Hulk'. This is a completely different kettle of fish. Gone are the usual opening titles and the first scenes see Bill Bixby's Dr David Banner (Bellamy) apparently a cleaner with a submissive perhaps with learning difficulties. It is uncomfortable viewing for the usual Hulk viewer as it is out of character. Watching the film soon shows you why he is acting like that.
The film itself is basically about the fight to make a perfect soldier, both to end all wars and to use within wars. This is probably classed as one of the last Cold war films. It is a simple good versus evil tale.
The tone is quite different from most Hulk work and Bixby, looking tired plays it to perfection. It is one of the few occasions where Banner reveals who he is to people. In fact, the scene where Banner see a video recording of The Hulk for the first time is moving. Hardly and dialogue, however the facial expression says it all. During the film Banner comes close to getting the cure he so desires.
The final scenes of the film are actually very moving. Especially for those who have followed the Hulk. (I have never seen the two new Hulk films, to me The Hulk is Bixby and Ferrigno and always will be). I had heard/read that The Hulk feel from a plane and died but what did happen came as a little surprise. As he clambered into a plane a gunshot goes off blowing it up. Now, we do see a conscious Hulk falling a very long way. Now I have read that he had survived a fall like this in the TV Series. However, you must question that perhaps being at ground zero so to speak of the explosion was enough to kill him. He was fully conscious though. It must be said the music used as he falls "And Something Ends' is truly beautiful and fits perfectly what is about to happen.
The stand out moments happen here. Firstly, during the music we see The Hulk talk! He mouthes the name 'Jasmine' who he had fallen in love with during the film. Sadly, we don't hear it as it is during the music. Then we see Banner say 'I am free'. Whether The Hulk within him died, then, he died as well or The Hulk died because Banner was dying is an interesting talking point. Either way, it was moving yet sad as Banner never got a chance to live without this demon.
One omission is that of Mr McGee. How poignant and touching would it have been to have him at The Hulk's death. Perhaps seeing for the first time what this creature had made Banner into and how it affected his life perhaps would have been a good resolution.
As a footnote, this wasn't meant to be the last film! The 4th in the series had two working titles: 'The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk' & 'The Rebirth of the Incredible Hulk'. The storyline would have seen The Hulk revived with Dr David Banner's mind. To me, I would have loved to have seen this. But due to Bixby's sad passing just three years later it never came to be. In hindsight, this ending now fits perfectly.
For those of you thinking of rewatching the TV series, make sure you make you way through the episodes and then end with this. A truly moving journey and highly recommended.