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SUMMARY

Special Agent John Myers has just been assigned to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.  Led by the very strange Dr Broom, Agent Myers is about to enter a bizarre new world.  A world where a creature of evil is on the side of good, a man lives underwater, and a girl that can light his fire in more ways than one.

John has picked the wrong time to join.  Rasputin, the scourge of Russia has returned from the dead to destroy the world.  With his army of demonic creatures, Rasputin is one step away from plunging the world into total darkness.

Fortunately, we have our last line of defense, the demonic Hellboy...or do we?

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

I will be the first to admit, I don't know a lot about Hellboy.  Most of what I know, I learned from the promotional DVD from Best Buy.  Still, I do love a good comic, and a good comic adaptation movie even more. When you throw in anime and comic auteur Guillermo De Toro (Blade II) as director/writer, you can almost can guarantee success. Because of the director, the strength of the trailer, and being a huge fan of actor Ron Perlman (also of Blade II), I made sure I went the day it opened.

Now, If you believe all the advanced press, this is a pretty faithful adaptation.  You even have the creator (and co-executive producer) Mike Mignola fully supporting the movie.  That's great news for the fans, but what about the great unwashed?  How well does this film stack up to other comic book movies like "Blade 2" or "The Crow"?

Pretty damn good, if I do say so my self.

Like "X-Men" and "Spider Man", "Hellboy" is a study of human interaction disguised as an action movie.  It would have been easy to make it all "demons and guns" like "MIB II" or a "nudge, nudge, wink wink" comic type movie.  Instead Guillermo Del Toro gives us characters who actually interact with each other on a personal level, not just professional.  The people who work in the BPRD are more of a family than they would admit.  They bicker, they love, and they even get into disagreements, just like your family.  Course, when a 6 foot something hell beast gets pissed, you know something is going to cost a whole lot of money to get fixed.  

It's understandable that the characters form some interesting attachments.  When you are forced to live in a world of shadow, where the people they protect think they are evil, there are not a lot of people you can turn to.   That is where Del Toro shines, writing about the human condition.  He is also pretty good at the one liners!

Now, exploring the human condition does not equal character development.  If you were expecting the type of evolution that Peter Parker experienced in "Spider Man", you will be unhappy.  From start to finish, the characters are exactly the same people as they were when the movie started.  The only thing different is the nature of their relationships.

I for one applaud del Toro for doing this.  In real life, people don't have radical personality shifts like they do in "reel" life. Human beings keep the same personality, no matter what kind of "paranormal" events they may experience.  I also approve how del Toro ends the movie with out a definitive answer to the future of BPRD, or its members.

The action is awesome.  Once again, Guillermo del Toro has shown the world that he is the master of comic book action.  His fight sequences are beautiful, full of energy and excitement.  Like the anime inspired sequences in "Blade 2", you can almost see the speed lines as Hellboy runs after a monster.  

Like his action sequences, everything, from the design of the buildings, to the character themselves, are true cinematic experiences.  I totally dig the designs for the Nazi's, and the BPRD is one cool looking place.  There are also some great "comic book" frames, that would be right at home in a graphic novel.

With any film involving demons and ancient evils, you need some top of the line CG.  For the most part, Hellboy delivers.  The CG elements are blended in quite well with the "real" footage, and there are no sloppy transitions.   My only complaint is that the design of the monsters had too many tentacles.  Some of the demons looked like they were extras from "Men In Black".

Rick Baker and his Cinovation Studios once again show why they are one of, if not, the best make up house out there.  The prosthetics look so convincing, you forget they are nothing but latex and glue.

I can see why director Guillermo Del Toro and writer Mike Mignola wanted Ron Perlman.   He really makes the character his own.  His smart ass attitude is perfect for this ass kicking "red monkey boy". When it comes to Liz, his pyrokinetic friend, you get to see his sensitive side.  Channeling his character from "Beauty and the Beast", Ron Perlman changes from hard-assed behemoth, to a nice guy who would do anything for his lady fair.

Like with Ron Perlman, I enjoy any movie that has the legendary John Hurt.  I almost didn't recognize him as the very tired Dr. Broom.  Unlike his usually "energetic" roles, Hurt plays the doctor with a quiet dignity.  This is not a wild man, ready to save on the world.  This is a man who has seen death and destruction for far too long, and he is full of sadness.  He loves Hellboy, and would do anything for him, even hide the truth.  You can really see the father/son dynamic between Perlman and Hurt, making for some very touching moments.

The rest of the cast is decent, with Jeffrey Tambor at his arrogant best.  Newcomer Rupert Evans does well with the limited amount of character development, as does Biddy Hodsen as the bitchy she wolf Ilsa.  Karel Roder was sufficiently evil as Rasputin, playing him more as a man driven to succeed, not a raving egomaniac.

The only one who I wasn't impressed with was Selma Blair as the withdrawn, but fiery Liz.  I found her acting abilities a little on the dull side.  Yes, I know the character is supposed to be emotionally scarred, and afraid to open up, but honestly, I don't think she was acting.

I'll tell you, whoever the stuntman was for the evil Kroenen should be the one to play Snake Eyes in a live action "G.I. Joe".  With out saying a word, he slices and dices his way through the entire film.  He is a total bad ass, just like our favorite ninja.  Come to think of it, Karel Roder in his Rasputin outfit would make a good Dr. Mindbender.  If we can get del Toro to direct, then a live action "G.I. Joe" movie would kick some major Cobra butt!

Even to a non fan like me, there are tons of obvious references to the Hellboy comic, .  Thankfully, they are not designed to exclude the rest of the audience from enjoying the movie. You also have the very lovely Selma Blair looking nice in a couple of scenes.  No nudity, but with all the action, who needs it.  I wonder if Ilsa is named after "Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS".

"Hellboy" is a prime example of when a comic book adaptation is done right.  From it's cinematic presentation, to believable characters, this movie restores my faith in this new genre of film.  As many of us said after leaving the theater, "I can't wait for the sequel".

You can't ask for more than that.

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