Post by The Curmudgeon on Aug 24, 2008 19:42:35 GMT 2
Well, first of all, I didn't have high hopes for this one. I wasn't exactly blown away with the first Hellboy movie, and I would probably have just rented or bought this when it came out on DVD (part of The Mission, obviously), but Mrs C really wanted to see it, and hey - it's been getting good reviews from major magazines etc, and I thought it might be better than the original.
The truth? It's much worse. Its supposed to have more of a comedic feel than other comic book films, and that's fine - if the comedy stuff is funny. But its not. In fact, some of it comes across as more than a little forced and amateurish, and the opening scenes with Abe Sapian and, uh, the guy from Arrested Development looks like a scene stolen from Men in Black III.
The plot is absolute shit as well. Hellboy is discovered by the general public, and instead of inciting mass riots and religious panic (a creature from HELL actually exists?!) instead they yell drunken insults and throw beer cans at him. The Golden Army are the most pointless, worthless characters in recent memory - and the fucking film is named after them?! These indestructible, fearless killing machines that would spell the end of the world are in it for about five minutes, and Hellboy wipes out about 100 of them without breaking a sweat.
Some good points; Matt Goss is superb as the villain, and he's easily the best thing in it. And it all looks very, VERY nice. Abe Sapian is given more screen time, which is good, but his "romance" with the albino sister isn't as touching as they obviously think it is (but have him blink cutely some more, guys - that never gets old). Add in more romantic shit with Hellboy's unlikeable girlfriend and you've got a cast of good guys it's pretty much difficult to give a shit about. And that's not taking in the comedy new boss with the Mysterio helmet and hilarious German accent. Add in an insulting, obviously tacked on intro (William Hurt tells young Hellboy a bedtime story.. that just so happens to be the exact plot of the film. And Hellboy doesn't even notice this?)
In a timeframe when fun, exciting comic book movies like Iron Man and bold, brave and brilliant films like The Dark Knight are being released, Hellboy II looks decidedly average fare. Don't waste your time.
The truth? It's much worse. Its supposed to have more of a comedic feel than other comic book films, and that's fine - if the comedy stuff is funny. But its not. In fact, some of it comes across as more than a little forced and amateurish, and the opening scenes with Abe Sapian and, uh, the guy from Arrested Development looks like a scene stolen from Men in Black III.
The plot is absolute shit as well. Hellboy is discovered by the general public, and instead of inciting mass riots and religious panic (a creature from HELL actually exists?!) instead they yell drunken insults and throw beer cans at him. The Golden Army are the most pointless, worthless characters in recent memory - and the fucking film is named after them?! These indestructible, fearless killing machines that would spell the end of the world are in it for about five minutes, and Hellboy wipes out about 100 of them without breaking a sweat.
Some good points; Matt Goss is superb as the villain, and he's easily the best thing in it. And it all looks very, VERY nice. Abe Sapian is given more screen time, which is good, but his "romance" with the albino sister isn't as touching as they obviously think it is (but have him blink cutely some more, guys - that never gets old). Add in more romantic shit with Hellboy's unlikeable girlfriend and you've got a cast of good guys it's pretty much difficult to give a shit about. And that's not taking in the comedy new boss with the Mysterio helmet and hilarious German accent. Add in an insulting, obviously tacked on intro (William Hurt tells young Hellboy a bedtime story.. that just so happens to be the exact plot of the film. And Hellboy doesn't even notice this?)
In a timeframe when fun, exciting comic book movies like Iron Man and bold, brave and brilliant films like The Dark Knight are being released, Hellboy II looks decidedly average fare. Don't waste your time.
