SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 35 Min.
NBC-TV televised the Incredible Hulk reunion trilogy’s final installment on February 18, 1990. For New World Television/New World International (Marvel Comics’ then-owner), Bill Bixby directed and executive-produced this film off Gerald DiPego’s script.
Notes: Due to Death’s subsequently disappointing ratings, a potential sequel exploring the character’s subsequent resurrection was scuttled. Hence, rumored possibilities of either She-Hulk (Brigitte Nielsen had even appeared in a glamorous photo shoot as the character) or possibly Iron Man guest-starring in future Marvel-friendly Hulk TV adventures never materialized. Still, Death has been released to DVD.
In Portland, Oregon, an undercover David Banner is now posing as David Bellamy, a mentally-impaired janitor working graveyard shifts. Utilizing his after-hours access to a research laboratory, Banner routinely corrects equations in Dr. Ronald Pratt’s (Philip Sterling) theoretical work analyzing radiation. Once Pratt confronts his secret intruder, Banner senses that his new friend has the necessary scientific resources to finally cure his affliction as the Hulk.
Yet, Eastern European espionage pilfering Pratt’s work sets up Banner and young spy/burglar, Jasmin (Elizabeth Gracen, pre-Highlander: The Series), for a fateful showdown with her ruthless employers.
Dr. David Banner / David Bellamy: Bill Bixby
The Hulk: Lou Ferrigno
Jasmin: Elizabeth Gracen
Dr. Ronald Pratt: Philip Sterling
Amy Pratt: Barbara Tarbuck
Bella: Anna Katarina (aka Anna Katerina)
Kasha: Andreas Katsulas
Zed: John Novak
Betty: Chilton Crane
Brenn: Dwight McFee
REVIEW:
Given the title, it’s no wonder that Bill Bixby & Lou Ferrigno’s last Hulk adventure is so melancholic. Ironically enough, the plot’s dire vibe draws closer in spirit to producer Kenneth Johnson’s TV series than the previous two reunion flicks. Instead of pushing flashy Marvel super-heroes for their own backdoor TV pilots, this finale reverts to the classic Bixby/Ferrigno formula and a decent supporting cast … yet, with middling results.
The inherent problem is that neither star/producer/director Bixby nor screenwriter Gerald DiPego can overcome a lackluster espionage angle that is near-unwatchable without Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk. Case in point: a lame effort at comic relief — revealing a comatose Pratt’s dubious old nickname – should be deemed the less said the better.
Further, it’s readily evident that Death was filmed on the cheap (in Vancouver, Canada) – i.e. as few as they are, Bixby’s patented Hulk-outs are now conveniently relegated off-screen. In one instance, a worked-up Bixby simply tilts over and, seconds later, comes back up as Ferrigno’s Hulk (whose spot-on performance is, at least, reliable as always). Death’s penny-pinching cheats viewers, as the two prior reunion films (one with Thor and one with Daredevil) tried harder pleasing its target audience, no matter how ultra-cheesy the special effects looked.
Ultimately, per Banner’s foreshadowed hint earlier in the script, Death’s poignant final moments briefly display Bixby’s best acting in the reunion trilogy. It’s just unfortunate that this film’s measly production values (and lack of fun in any nostalgic sense) would end Bixby & Ferrigno’s thirteen-year Hulk franchise with a disappointingly weak Death.
Perhaps fans ought to take some solace that the proposed fourth film – The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk was never produced. From the insipid premise DiPego has publicly discussed, one might have seen depicted a resurrected Hulk now possessing Banner’s intellect and/or Bixby’s powerless Banner being compelled to re-irradiate himself to save the day. Frankly, such desperate genre clichés makes Death’s definitive end (instead of its intended cop-out to justify Revenge) sound almost good by comparison.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
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