Hellboy Movie Review:


Hellboy is a creature conjured up through supernatural means, which the Nazis attempt to conduce during WW2, through leylines in 'Bonny Scotland', no less. Apparently not adverse to dalliance in the occult, they plan to enlist the evil forces to do their bidding, but are scuppered when 'Professor Broom', an expert in all things other - worldly, and his honchos barge in. After a bloody battle, they eventually succeed in putting an end to the macabre magic show.

In the aftermath, a tiny (cute!) red critter with horns and a penchant for 'Baby Ruth' bars clambers out from the rubble. He's the fruit of their efforts, and is adopted by Broom and named Hellboy...In the present day Hellboy is utilised by a secret agency, and fights against other - worldly evil creatures that have made it across to 'our' world.

Hellboy is a rebellious little bleeder though, and frequently goes awol from his home to visit his lady love Liz Sherman, a telekinetic, which can make it quite difficult for the powers that be to keep him a secret.

Not being familiar with the comic book, it is impossible to say how true the movie is to the original story and characters, but it's likely that a high percentage of those who see this movie may not be au fait with it either. However based on Guillermo del Toro's previous work this is as wild, dark and bonkers as you'd expect.

Strong central characterisation, a spooky premise and some great gothic touches make this a unique experience, with the comic book genre being plundered at the minute, it is also a relief to see some wry humour shining through in places.

The script careers along at breakneck speed, entertaining, sometimes confounding, but ultimately delivering the goodies. HB has naturally been given all the best one - liners, laced with well timed sarcasm and bitter cynicism, he's a real anti - hero. Ron Perlman seems to revel in the role, you sense that this is someone truly hard - core, granite, not just being 'method' tough.

John Hurt (as Professor Bloom) is also convincing, as you'd expect, and has some very moving scenes further into the movie.

Agent John Myers (Rupert Evans) acts as a sort of assistant, minder and love rival for Hellboy, but is no match for him. It's not his fault that Perlman steals the show! He's the nice guy character, the eye candy. Based on this, an early Holywood role, he may have more to come, he's natural and the camera certainly likes him. Having previously worked on BBC's mediocre 'Rockface', (a show 'Wilbur' actor Jamie Sives also worked on) this is quite a leap, but he holds his own here.
Doug Jones (Frasier's Niles!) voices Hellboy's amphibious cohort Abe, and he fits perfectly, contrasting with gruff HB. Abe has a great knowledge and insight, and his voice has that haughty yet sensitive tone.

The love interest, and fellow member of Broom's Agency, Liz Sherman, (Selma Blair, she of 'snogging Buffy' fame) is an enigma.

As someone afflicted by an illness where pain causes her to burst into flame, taking everything/one around her out, she can hardly be upbeat, so spends much of her time sporting a world - weary face. Her love triangle with Hellboy and Agent Myers symbolises her longing to be 'normal' vs her isolation. Hellboy shows signs of this longing too, but if he could just be with Liz, you sense that's all he'd need. Awww...

It's also surprisingly bloody for a PG-13, but this is largely fantasy violence. There is a sense in places that perhaps the director was holding back on mega - gore status to secure a wider audience.
However, there are still shocks apenty, and the effects are extremely good, without being overblown pomp. The malevolence of the darker characters and their spontenaity will keep viewers on their toes, but don't expect to fully understand their world, this tale concentrates most attention on the protagonist. There are also a few too many product placements which distract from the plot, taking you out of the story and placing you in a retail environment.

Coming out of the theatre, squinting into the daylight, on the whole it really works. Sometimes confusing, but ultimately great entertainment.
This movie will be enjoyed most by 15 year - old punks, or the 15 year old punk in all of us.

6.5/10

Terresa Gaffney

Nowhere near the value of other recent comic book films like X2: X-Men United or Spider-Man, but Hellboy is more entertaining than last year’s Daredevil, LXG, and The Hulk.

Based on the Dark Horse Comic created by Mike Mignola in the 1990’s, writer/director Guillermo Del Toro maintains the spirit of the comic, but also adds his own flair and hiccups to the production.

The films opens in Germany during World War II, where the powerfully evil Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden) and the Nazis open a dimensional portal to other worlds, in efforts of bringing additional forces to help in their plans of world conquering. Stopped by U.S. forces, the portal is closed, but not before something slipped through. A member of the government’s Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense named Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm then discovers an aggressive demon child from the bowels of hell that does have horns, red skin, and a tail. The film then flashes forward to present day, where the Bureau has become a prominent top secret agency that defends the world against evil and monsters, among other things. Broom (John Hurt) is now the aging head of the Bureau, and Hellboy (Ron Perlman) is grown as his son and top agent. Unable to grow at the rate of human, Hellboy is a muscle bound demon that resents where he is from by grinding off his horns and maintaining his Catholic beliefs. Though he gets the job done, Hellboy is annihilative and charismatic, but he knows his job and has a good time doing it. Not the only so-called “freak” of the Bureau, Hellboy’s accomplice is a “mer-man” with telepathic abilities named Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), and his love interest is a troubled pyro-kinetically gifted woman named Liz Sherman (Selma Blair). Brought in as Hellboy’s new partner to perhaps tone down his antics is a young FBI agent named John Myers (Rupert Evans). Hellboy’s learns to like Myers, but becomes furious with him when he develops interest in Liz. However, the Bureau has other problems, when it is revealed that Rasputin has returned to earth to begin an apocalypse with his many indestructible monsters.

As cheesy and absurd a film as Hellboy is, it does capture the spirit of the comic book. Del Toro does take his liberties with the material, mostly with the additions of certain characters like Myers and the villain Rasputin. Myers seemed added just as the third piece of the love triangle with Liz and Hellboy. As usual, Del Toro massacres the film with loud special effects sequences that by the end of the film are complementary to just show expensive spectacles. The dialogue is also horrendous and supporting characters lack finesse or depth. What does work in this film is Hellboy himself. Del Toro focuses the film around the balance of Hellboy’s skills and personality. He is not indestructible, he has feelings and he is not a saint either. Hellboy is a complex hero that audiences can root for. Del Toro fought to get character actor Ron Perlman in the role, since the studios wanted a star like Vin Diesel. Perlman is a perfect choice, he captures the swagger, the deliver, the charm, the anger, and interpersonal cues that Mignola created with comic character. Perlman is also very amusing with the character, though the one-liners get old. The makeup on Perlman is also brilliant as a reflection of the comic book character.

As Hellboy’s love interest, Selma Blair just seems lost and out of touch as Liz. Her performance is just stale, even though she did not have much to work with. The great John Hurt steals every moment he has as the Bureau’s director Broom. As Myers, it seems that Rupert Evans was just thrown in as a subsidiary, and his acting is nowhere close in distance to Perlman or Hurt.

As a huge comic book fan, Del Toro visuals are a reminiscent homage to the drawings of the Hellboy comic and his characterization of the hero is right on par. This film is loud, poorly written, disruptive, and honestly stupid, but it works as a film of the comic book genre. Comic book fans should adore this one.

Grade: C+

Joseph Tucker

Faithfully based on Mike Mignola's Dark Horse Comics series, fans will be all fired up over director
Guillermo del Toro's "HELLBOY" and his 'homage' to weird-war comic books, the chest-burster scene in "Alien", a tentacled thing causing "Predator 2" havoc on a subway, a bug-eyed, deaths-head villain that wheezes like 'Darth Vader' and a 'Baby Ruth' munching, ugly little monster, that grows up into a
beer-swilling, ugly, big monster.

Ron Perlman is the 'Hot Stuff' actor here, a
domesticated 'good' demon, whose job is to knock the hell out of the 'evil' ones. Referred tthroughout the film as either 'HB' or 'Red', Perlman's performance, while relying on the 'Ben Grimm' school of droll one-liners, is also surprisingly human for an entity from the 'other side'. Whether HB is power-sanding down his twin 'horn' stubs, slicing and dicing infernal creatures with a Conan-like frenzy, or making out with his fire-brand of a lady, Perlman allows his character to remain strong and likeable throughout many surreal and violent action sequences.

Other entertaining performances include dependable John Hurt as HB's mentor 'father', Selma Blair as the waifish 'Liz' (who has the emotional capacity to take charge of almost any situation) and Doug Jones as the scaled-down CGI 'Abe Sapien', a chatty C3PO fish out of water.

If you have a burning desire to see the latest comic
book movie, then "HELLBOY" is for you ...

Michael Stevens

Comic writer and creator Mike Mignola has always had a flair for the dark, mysterious and heavily moody. His artistic style renders his creations and drawings often in heavy black backgrounds where only portions of their faces are seen. Mignola’s art style was always more about the words than the pictures when creating a comic. He drew on the strengths of the piece and one of those “heavy-on-the-inks” creations just landed in your multiplex.

“Hellboy” was conceived by the brain-trust of Mike Mignola and John Byrne who must have wanted to turn your typical hero adventurer on his ear. Their creation was bright red, had huge horns which he kept filed down and a giant-sized gun. In some ways their hero resembled something that would have sprung from the mind of comics-icon Jack Kirby but it was their unique vision that steered Hellboy more to the dramatic than the flamboyant. Their demon-hero became a cult favorite as his exploits with the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) garnered critical acclaim.

In the film adaptation, director Guillermo del Toro (Blade 2) begins his story as a sinister plot to destroy our planet is hatched in 1944 by the evil madman Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden) but is thwarted by Allied Forces led by a young Professor Broom (older version is played by John Hurt). After Rasputin is struck down, Broom rescues a little red creature who seems to have been a reluctant witness to the events. Broom goes on to raise the red runt as his son and his adopted name sticks, Hellboy.

In present day, Broom and Hellboy (Ron Perlman) are joined by fellow BRPD agents, Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), a telepathic Mer-Man and Liz Sherman, an unstable pyrokinetic to find the secrets to Rasputin’s master plan. The faithful to Rasputin have found a way to resurrect their leader and vow to bring forth Armageddon. As the battle is waged, Hellboy may have to finally confront his destiny and decide where his true loyalties lie if he can just stop fighting long enough.

“Hellboy” is one power-punched slugfest filled with dazzling effects and is probably one of the more fun comic based films to come through the woodwork. The key to this film’s success is a strong and very memorable performance from veteran actor Ron Perlman. The actor probably is best known for his other infamous beastly persona, Vincent in the 1980s television series, “Beauty and the Beast”. His Hellboy is rugged, sympathetic, brave and in some cases a little vulnerable. It is a great role and Perlman uses every aspect with such panache. He is utterly perfect.

“Hellboy” probably marks the best work from del Toro since his little seen but brilliant horror movie, “The Devil’s Backbone” which has developed a huge cult following on DVD. Del Toro crafted every aspect of this motion picture and you can see the hours he must have spent. It’s all up there on the screen. The film has so much passion that it is hard to ignore. You do have to admire a man who can cover his actors in a foot of latex and make the battles exciting without looking like a “Power Rangers” episode.

I have long admired del Toro ever since he made the underrated horror film, “Mimic” starring Mira Sorvino. I love monster movies and Mimic was hard to forget. “Hellboy” is definitely in that same vain. Then del Toro made “Blade 2” which left me a little off put on the whole Blade franchise but it was on that film that del Toro met his Hellboy, Ron Perlman.

I did have a few small problems with del Toro’s film. I felt that Jeffrey Tambor’s crooked leader character was never really dealt with as much as he probably could have been. The whole character seemed overly contrived and in portions I really wondered if he was necessary.

As one who didn’t really immerse himself in the Hellboy comic series there were some things I didn’t quite understand. Who is the real Grigori Rasputin? What are his motives to wanting to destroy the planet? Also why does there have to be a heavily tentacled demon coming to Earth every time we open a portal? I know I ask these questions when it is just supposed to be a fun-filled comic book movie but just curious.

I really liked this movie and I hope to see more of this monster-thumper in the future. I am going to be in “monster-hunter” heaven this year with similarly themed movies like “Van Helsing” and “Aliens vs. Predator” coming soon. For now let this “devil reign”.

(4 out of 5)

So Says the Soothsayer

Dean Kish

Rescued from the aftermath of a Nazi experiment during the Second World War, Hellboy (Perlman) is raised by Professor Trevor 'Broom' Bruttenholm (Hurt) in US, becoming a key Agent in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence. Sixty years later the threat is back as the same evil returns to reclaim the Earth for the forces of darkness. Now it is up to Hellboy and his fellow members of the BPRD, telepathic Mer-Man Abe Sapien (Hyde Pierce), the pyrokinetic Liz Sherman (Blair) and rookie FBI agent John Myers (Evans) to stop them before they start the apocalypse.

What comic book movies need are a director, cast and crew that are passionate about the character and the material. Hellboy gets just that.

Writer/director Guillermo del Toro and his team bring Mike Mignola’s cult comic to life and they do it with respect for the material and a real passion for the character. Fans will rejoice at seeing there beloved characters brought so vividly to life by some of the best makeup and visual effects to ever grace the genre. This is all backed up by a character driven plot that allows Hellboy virgins to discover the characters and backstory and hardened fans the chance to see their favourite heroes brought to life.

In a refreshing approach, the story is punctuated by action sequences. This makes a chance from the usual Hollywood stance that the plot should only be a small vehicle to takes you to the next big expensive action sequence. The story itself covers everything from reincarnation, destiny, unrequited love, duty and the power of evil, all packaged with some entertaining dialogue and the underlying message of fitting in. While it does seems to lose a little of its essence in the finale, making way for the big confrontation, the script is solid throughout and above all, very entertaining.

Bringing this entertaining script to life is an excellent ensemble cast. John Hurt brings some class to the proceedings as Professor Trevor 'Broom' Bruttenholm. He is the man behind the BPRD and surrogate father to Hellboy. This is the kind of character that Hurt excels in by breathing life into a role that is pivot to the story. Rupert Evans is good as rookie John Myers, the man been groomed by the elderly Professor as his replacement. For people discovering the characters, you are seeing the world of Hellboy through his innocent eyes and Evans’s performance reflects this perfectly. Salma Blair continues to add to her reputation as an actress to watch. As the troubled Liz Sherman the character is riddled with guilt as the demons from her past threaten to consume her. Blair portrays this angst superbly, as you really believe that she can’t control the power that the character possesses.

It is Ron Perlman who steals the show however. A character actor who you’ll recognise but never put a name to, Perlman gets the chance to shine as the anti-hero who just wants to be accepted into society. The role brings out the best in the actor as he delivers Hellboy’s trademark one-liners and putdowns with great comic timing. This is the character that Perlman will be known for but as Hellboy, he probably won’t mind at all.

No stranger to the genre, director Guillermo del Toro (Blade II) weaves a pattern of technical delights to create Hellboy’s universe. The makeup effects by Rick Baker and his team are some of his best work, even by his illustrious standards. The Abe Sapien and Kroenen makeups are astounding. The digital effects are also first rate, especially when Hellboy takes on the many monsters of the piece. But it the way that del Toro brings all of this together to produce a classic comic book movie that makes Hellboy such an enjoyable experience for fans and newcomers to the characters alike.

Hellboy is another fine example of how a comic book movie should be made. With great characters, a riveting, vibrant script and a director, cast and crew that are truly passionate about the concept, Hellboy is a franchise in the making. Expect to see more of Big Red.

Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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