Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

RELEASED TO TV IN 1990 and directed by Bill Bixby, "The Death of the Incredible Hulk" is the third of three movies in the wake of the TV series that ran from 1977-82.PLOT AND MAIN CAST: Masquerading as a mentally challenged custodian, David Banner (Bill Bixby) gains access to an Oregon research facility believing that the studies of one of the scientists there, Dr. Pratt (Philip Sterling), may hold the key to curing his gamma-induced curse. Unfortunately, a blackmailed Russian ex-spy named Jasmin (Elizabeth Gracen) inadvertently puts a wrench in Banner's plans. Lou Ferrigno plays the jade giant while Anna Katarina appears as Jasmin's sister. Barbara Tarbuck is on hand as Pratt's wife while Andreas Katsulas plays a Russian heavy.This wasn't supposed to be the last Hulk movie with Bixby and Ferrigno. There were plans for a follow-up called "The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk" (otherwise known as "The Rebirth of the Incredible Hulk"). Regrettably, these plans were scrapped supposedly due to Bixby's diminishing health and unfortunate death in 1993 from prostate cancer while others claim that it was due to the disappointing ratings for this movie.What I like about these Bixby/Ferrigno Hulk movies (and the series in general) is their serious, melancholic tone. You won't find any eye-rolling campiness, like in the 60's Batman series; the inclusion of Thor in "The Incredible Hulk Returns" (1988) is the closest it comes to that (which, by the way, is the most entertaining of the Bixby/Ferrigno Hulk movies). Of course these movies (and the series) are held back by their limited TV budget but, if you can handle that, they're worth checking out. I like the way Bixby shot for moving artistry with the final sequence in this movie and was partially successful.THE FILM RUNS 95 minutes and was shot in the Vancouver, B.C., area. WRITER: Gerald Di Pego.GRADE: B/B-

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.

With a title like "The Death Of The Incredible Hulk", you must believe that this is the end of David Banner's/Hulk's story, right? No secret that Bill Bixby died three years later from cancer, a tragic loss of a fine actor who left such an indelible impression on fans for his brilliant performances as Doctor David Banner, on the run for 12 years, but now has a real cure in his sights.Unfortunately, international spies want the cure as well, and David must defeat them in order to finally bring his long journey to an end.I don't want to reveal the ending, only that it did choke me up, since the last line spoken is so moving, and so well directed by Bill Bixby, that it pains me to pan the film overall, since the plot is uninspired and confused. Not to mention the absence of Jack Colvin as Mr. McGee was a real shame; fans deserved closure with this character, but didn't get it, nor was series creator Kenneth Johnson involved, and though this film is a big step-up from Thor & Daredevil misfires, there was still the undeniable soul of the series missing.But that end is powerful indeed...Goodbye David; not the way I wanted to see closure to your story, but it's the best we'll ever get. You are free dear friend...

When I saw the title of this movie, I thought that they would have found a way to rid David Banner of the Hulk once and for all, but I didn't figure on him dying himself at the end. That seriously sucked bricks. I just knew that he was going to rid himself of the Hulk and go off somewhere with that defected Russian spy and live happily ever after, as the old cliché' goes. What was really sad was that Bill Bixby himself died shortly after he made this movie. This movie signified the end of an era.I like the fact that they made this kind of like a spy thriller. It was probably the last of the Cold War movies. Some of the scenes in this film were worthy of a good James Bond thriller, only not so many gadgets. All in all, a good but sad farewell to Bill Bixby. 7 out of 10.