Movie Review - “Hellboy II: The Golden Army
*** 1/2 STARS
I was not a huge fan of the first “Hellboy” film but over multiple DVD viewings it has grown on me. Guillermo Del Toro is one of my all time favorite directors so I jump at the chance to see anything he has done, the awesome trailer only heightened my excitement to see “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” this summer. Much like the mega blockbuster “Batman” this movie is pure entertainment and it blew me away with its inventiveness and adult tone.
Hellboy and his gang of secret BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) government agents are on a mission to save the earth from a centuries old war waged by mystical creatures from the underworld. Selma Blair as Liz Sherman, a pyrokinetic member of the BPRD (and Hellboy’s girlfriend) has great chemistry with Ron Perlman’s cranky Hellboy. The creative story and snappy dialogue help make this film more than a cartoonish comic book movie; this is a great adult fantasy film.
The amount of detail Del Toro put into creating a universe full of trolls, goblins, man eating tooth fairies, ogres and mystical creatures is mind blowing. Every inch of the screen is filled with eye popping colors and a glossy comic book sheen that is beautiful. The creature effects and make-up are astonishing and done meticulously well. The whole film has the same Del Toro magic feeling as his Oscar winning masterpiece “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
“Hellboy II” is a better film than “Indiana Jones 4″ and some of the other big budgeted Hollywood hits that have come out so far this summer because of its simplicity. The comical tone and captivating images create a completely enjoyable movie going experience. If Del Toro makes a third “Hellboy” film I will be there opening night with the giddy anticipation of a comic book geek.
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