Movie Review: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy and his team battle a mythical-world rebellion aimed at gaining control of Earth

GENRE: Fantasy thriller

RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2008

RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

VIOLENCE FACTOR: Despite the intense action, including extensive swordfighting in the battle sequences, there's no gore.

BAD WORDS: There are a few, but they're tossed off without emphasis.

Emerging in an eponymous comic book in 1993, Hellboy is a crimefighting, Satan-spawned demon with a large head, red horns, a giant rock for a hand, and an ever-chomped-on cigar. His backstory: He was originally summoned from Hell by the Nazis, rescued by U.S. soldiers during World War II, and raised by a kindly gentleman. In this sequel, he heads a team of good guys at the secret, Manhattan-based Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.

Mexican writer-director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) has created an abundantly detailed, and ceaselessly inventive fantasy chiller. In a muscle film that already has a plentiful share of strengths, including its plot, there's also a surprising strain of rich comedy. Here, an army of golden warrior robots from the fantasy realm invades Earth intent on vanquishing humanity. Should Hellboy join them or foil them?

Take a guess which he chooses.

And as if that's not enough of a problem for the devilish lad (Ron Perlman), he's got dilemmas to confront in his relationship with his girlfriend, a pyrokinetic team member (Selma Blair). Hellboy articulates this predicament to the strains of Barry Manilow in perhaps the film's goofiest and funniest scene. And as the tough but self-deprecating title character, Perlman is a career-best perfect fit in synch with his director.

Visionary del Toro crams in a bit too much of everything — as is his way — but he's a font of imaginative characters, creatures, and settings. It's his visual flair, Gothic style, storytelling instincts, and ready wit that makes this Hellboy installment such a treat.

Joining the crowded, disenfranchised, superhero-summer sweepstakes, Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a stimulating sequel that's more than just an equal.

GP Rating System:
Four Grands = Bravo, don't miss it
Three Grands = Pretty good, short list it
Two Grands = Just okay, don't dismiss it
One Grand = Yeah, we dissed it