Movie Review
‘Hellboy II’ Is Fun for the Fans
Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 11, 2008
Back in 2004, when the first Hellboy came out, I really enjoyed it. Part of what appeals to me about Hellboy is that even though he’s a demon, he’s more like the rest of us than many other superheroes in other films.
This summer, in a the midst of superhero films that try to give us an average-guy hero, Hellboy II: The Golden Army gives us something different. He doesn’t brood like Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. He’s not as charming as Tony Stark in Iron Man. And he isn’t totally lame like Hancock in Hancock.
Hellboy has got to be one of the most interesting characters out there, even though he’s not even human. Ron Pearlman was the perfect choice from the beginning to play Big Red, and Guillermo Del Toro shows he was perfect to direct the series.
This new movie continues the story of Hellboy at the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. His relationship with the fiery Liz (Selma Blair) is on the rocks, and the fishy Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) continues to be his best friend. While on a secret mission, Hellboy blows their cover and lets the world know he’s real.
While Hellboy and the gang are struggling to deal with being celebrities, they find themselves fighting against Prince Nuada (Luke Gross), who wants to overthrow the humans and give the control of Earth to the fantasy creatures.
After making the original film in his distinct style and after winning awards for his film Pan’s Labyrinth, it’s clear that Del Toro has stepped up his game in the creature shop. Some might consider these new creatures overkill, but I found them fascinating. The different monsters that Hellboy faces are unique and visually stunning. Of course, it does appear to be Del Toro is making a director’s reel to prove he can direct The Hobbit.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army doesn’t break a whole lot of new ground, but that’s part of what I enjoyed about it. In many ways, it’s a superhero movie for the Universal Monsters crowd, which gives the film a nice home with the new studio.
The film should play well with the fans because the Hellboy flavor is retained in this movie. After all, he may not be Batman or Spider-Man, but Hellboy is unforgettable. I don’t expect a Hellboy revolution at the box office, but there should be enough love for the character and a great life on DVD.
THE UPSIDE: Lots of fun for the Hellboy crowd.
THE DOWSIDE: Probably won’t shatter any records, which always puts the series in jeopardy.
ON THE SIDE: Doug Jones, who usually just plays the body of a character, also gives a voice to Abe Sapien.
Read more articles by Kevin Carr
6 Comments
July 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hey Kev,
Just because a movie won’t shatter any records doesn’t mean the series/franchise is in jeopardy.
HELLBOY is not a mainstream comic like IRONMAN or BATMAN. The movie delivers what it should regardless of tickets sales, which I don’t pay attention to.
Not saying that your wrong for quoting that remark, but give this movie some props.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Oh, I loved the movie, but I’m just afraid that if it isn’t a huge hit that the studio will consider it a disappointment. I didn’t say it as a value judgement, but rather as what the studio would do (which is not always the right thing).
July 11th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Any word on why they decided to go with Jones instead of David Hyde Pierce again? I know Jones got shafted on his voicework for Fantastic Four 2, that have anything to do with it?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
David Hyde is overated. Jones was perfect as Abe. This Hellboy film kicked ass!!!!!!!!!! Wow what fricken great movie !!!!!!!
The scene where their both drinking tacates had the theater lol.
The direction was seemless and the creatures were breathtaking.
Hellboy is likeable because he’s the coolest demon around and fights for America.
While watching this today I kept thinking how cool it would be to see Hellboys and crew cross over into a JLA or Avengers fillm. Hellboy certainly is a bonifide Superhero!
Minor spoilers.
The films hints at a great story for Hellboy 3. The prophets tale that Hellboy will destroy the world and twins.
Sounds like we meet dad in the next film.
Wow what a great time !!!!!!
Thanks Ron and crew !!!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
this movie was so boring, i hope they stop at 2, a third just might be unbareable
July 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I thought this one was excellent! While I very much enjoyed part 1, this sequel blew it out of the water. A lot more fun, and evern more humorous (thanks mostly to the interaction between Hellboy and the character of Johann) than the first. You know you’re invested in the characters when you go to see a film hoping to be wowed by the action sequences, but when they show up, you want them over so you can get more character interaction (not that they’re bad, it’s just that the writing was so great). Can’t wait for the rumored return of Rasputin for the third film. It’s gonna be Hell waiting for Del Toro to finish The Hobbit films so he can get back to the B.R.P.D. world.
“I’m not a baby. I’m a tumor.” :D