Hellboy II Reactions

[rashad]

I saw it with my homegirl tonight. We definitely enjoyed it. The humor, action and effects were top notch. A huge leap over the original film, which I also enjoyed. The fights were amazingly choreographed. Luke Gross was badass. He plays a great villian once again. I can't remember a Summer where there's been so many great comic book films. Iron Man, HB2, TDK.

 

[bullets]

I just got back from a packed theatre . The audience was really into it and they laughed at the right moments [ the "im not a baby , im a tumor" and drunken duet especially].
I enjoyed it immensley because the visuals were fantastic . I love perlman as hellboy and would accept no substitutes. I thought that abe and liz were alot better utilized this time around . It was good to see more abe. the troll market scene was just awesome , the action was right there , and overall this was really entertaining . I'm not fretting about the ending with liz and i think it provides some closure. I do really hope for a third though .

 

[Dread]

The first HELLBOY opened in 2004 and had pretty much pitch-perfect casting; Ron Perlman as Hellboy, Selma Blair as Liz Sherman, Doug Jones as Abe Sapien (with David Hyde Pierce credited with the voice-over), and John Hurt as Prof. Broom. The movie was a loose translation of THE SEED OF DESTRUCTION, which had Hellboy's origin. It was different from the comic in a variety of ways, from character powers to relationships and storylines, but it was the first taste of Hellboy for many people. I imagine it got a few fans into comic shops. It was a modest success and spawned two animated DTV's and a video game, where Perlman, Blair, and Jones would reprise their roles. Which, frankly, adds to the awesomeness. Seriously, it always is a treat to see actors really enjoy the characters they play and take them to other mediums.

The animated DTV's were excellent and a bit more like the comic than the movie. While the first HELLBOY was good, it wasn't SO good that you go, "Gosh, how can they ever top this?"; closer to 2000's X-MEN than 2002's SPIDER-MAN.

While it was inevitable that HELLBOY would get a sequel, I was surprised it took 4 years. Most movie sequels try to arrive after 2-3 years, at least for the second. The trailers started getting a lot of attention, and Guillermo Del Toro getting critical props for "PAN'S LABYRINTH" (as well as the first movie having years to settle on TV & DVD) helped pave the road for HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY. But the $34,000 question is, is it good.

Hell yes, it's good. That it blows the first HELLBOY out of the water on virtually every level goes without saying. But, despite a summer full of action heroes, green monsters, Indy's non-retirement, and Will Smith, HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY provides the best comic book/superhero big screen entertainment since IRON MAN in May.

The movie starts with a recap of Hellboy's origin and a scene with him as a boy in the 50's, 11 years after being found by Broom & the army. Even back then, Hellboy was a TV junkie and acts as a normal brat would. Broom wants him to naturally brush his teeth and be a good lad, and entertains him with a story from an ancient book, detailing a war between humans and elves, a horrible golden army of merciless robots the elf king created, and of the pact he made with humans to ensure they never had to be used again. A control crown is split up and that is basically the plot.

Fast forward 53 years and the BPRD is how we left it in '04, only without Rupert Evan's John Myers character. I never really cared for Myers and saw him as the P.O.V. character for the debut film; now that we know the score, there isn't a lot of need for him. Besides, in the comics, some agents come and go. He's briefly mentioned and it is stated that Hellboy arranged to have him transferred. Hellboy is now officially dating Liz (a larger departure from the comics than Abe Sapien being a psychic), but the relationship is not always cozy. Perhaps as a way to appease soccer moms, Hellboy is rarely called that and is more often called "Red", as are his action figures. Jeffery Tambor's Agent Manning continues to try to convince Hellboy to be more mature and discreet, which usually falls on deaf horns.

They quickly investigate a murder at an auction triggered by the Elf Prince Nuada (Luke Gross), who never liked his father's truce and feels the humans should be conquered; he even slays his father to achieve this. His twin sister, Princess Nuala (Anna Walton), disapproves and actively seeks to foil her brother. They are both linked and literally suffer each other's injuries, and at that point I knew tragedy was afoot. I mean, I've seen FATAL FURY: THE MOTION PICTURE after all.

Hellboy & Co. eventually run into these two at the Troll Market, and Liz hides a rather large secret from Red, but not Ape, for some time. A romance between Abe and Nuala develops that is pretty sweet.

Naturally, of course, the Golden Army is defeated, the good guys win and the credits roll. But to be able to capture the beauty of the film in any typed review is impossible. What Mignola & Del Toro accomplish here reminded me of "Old George Lucas", in that they create an entire world full of awkward and wonderful creatures with computers, costumes, sets, and make-up. There is CGI but many of these creatures are "real" costumes and prosthetics. All of the main actors put in better performances this time around. Abe gets more to do, the concept of the "Seed of Destruction" being a poppa gets a lot going. Ron Perlman naturally oozes Hellboy in every scene. But best of all, the tone of the universe doesn't take itself too seriously at all, allowing for a lot of comedic moments and classic slapstick. From Red & Abe getting drunk and singing to a fight with a massive orc in the Troll Market, the movie is equal parts well-paced, well trained fight sequences with some smarter comedy than a lot of comedies.

Adding to that is Krauss, who is literally a ghost housed inside a bubble-topped suit, voiced by Seth McFarlane, from FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD. He basically does his "German talking fish" from FG for Krauss but it really works, and he nails the role. Considering his Fox animated comedies have made Seth virtually rich for life, it is great that he was able to take part in the role. Krauss is one of many characters in the film which is an instant classic to cinema, taken straight from the comics. He is a by-the-books stern headmaster, but soon appreciates his comrades and goes to bat for them.

In a reversal from the first time, this time it is Liz who saves Hellboy from death's door by literally bargaining with the Grim Reaper himself, who looks awe-inspiring.

The final battle between Hellboy & Co. and the Golden Army (as well as a duel with Prince Nuada) are simply stunning.

There aren't enough words in me to describe how great a ride this film was. I really hope it does well in the box office because this one is really a flick for the books. The ending implies a third film may be equally inevitable and I hope we see one before 2012. This is 3.5 stars out of 4, at the very least.

Sadly, with DARK KNIGHT opening next week, HB2 had better make a strong debut, because it is about to get buried. A fate that is truly undeserved. This blew INCREDIBLE HULK away too, and I enjoyed that. Just a great movie on every level, and a huge step forward from the first. Don't miss it!

 

[JP]

Great review.

 

[Gotham]

I liked Hellboy a little better. The sequel felt a little too comical at times, but it was still fantastic!

 

[Leenie]

I thought the movie was really fun and entertaining (in a great way, too). I wouldn't call it one of the best superhero movies ever, but for a Summer flick, it's definitely better than average.

There were two things that I didn't like in this movie:

1. I really disliked the opening sequence with the background story being told to young Hellboy. I thought it was poorly done. The CGI was bad and the actor who played young Hellboy got on my nerves.

2. I thought the story was a bit predictable.

Other than those two things, I really like this movie. The action was cool, and the comedy was genuinely funny. I think it's superior to the first one by far. To me, it felt like I was watching one of those 1980 fantasy movies, and I find those movies to be highly entertaining. I'll probably pick this movie up on DVD when it's released, because I think it's really re-watchable.

8/10

 

[Dread]

Great review.

Thanks.

I feel bad for HELLBOY 2 because DARK KNIGHT is SO going to bury this and hurt the long haul of the movie, so it will really depend on it's first week of release (where it will have to compete with HANCOCK - Week 2). Still, the last HELLBOY debuted at #1, so hopefully this one will, too.

DARK KNIGHT has all the buzz right now, but we all know it will be dour and dark, and while that is fine, HELLBOY 2 was a nice contrast to a lot of self-important hero movies. I mean, IRON MAN had lots of fun moments and audiences responded.

I hope we at least get a 3rd animated DTV after this.

This also is a rare time when a comic movie sequel went to another studio, which may explain the delay. Some people compare Mignola's HELLBOY success with Eastman & Laird's TMNT in the late 80's - early 90's in terms of going from indie to success in media, toys, and cartoons. While HELLBOY always had DARK HORSE support, and hasn't made nearly as many billions as Ninja Turtles have, HELLBOY could be seen as similar, and geared towards an older audience (the Ninja Turtles were originally geared to young children; HELLBOY at least seeks out teens and adults).

 

[JP]

Early estimates say Hellboy made 13 mil Friday. I think that's pretty good.

I'd be really upset if there wasn't HBIII

 

[Gotham]

Early estimates say Hellboy made 13 mil Friday. I think that's pretty good.

I believe I read their budget is somewhere around seventy million. In that range, at least.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

Not being a Hellboy comic fan, I judge the film on what was presented on screen and, sorry to say, what was presented wasn't very good at all.

It’s a visually bizarre movie that suffers from being in constant “cartoon mode” with absolutely no depth to either the story or the characters. Nothing on screen carried any weight and the crazed visuals just seem to run together. Everything from the first frame forward screamed “bad live action cartoon” and it was reinforced throughout the running time at every turn. It seems to me like director Guillermo Del Toro has fallen in love with his bizarre CGI creature creations and has decided to forget EVERYTHING else. This film felt like a mash of Pan’s Labyrinth and Blade 2’s extra footage with all the heart and story cut out. Unfortunately, I found myself glancing at the exit sign at my theatre more then once but I’m glad I resisted the urge to bolt. I did enjoy the final confrontation quite a bit but not enough to save this movie.

4/10

You are a very sad person.

 

[Hellmistress]

Not being a Hellboy comic fan, I judge the film on what was presented on screen and, sorry to say, what was presented wasn't very good at all.

It’s a visually bizarre movie that suffers from being in constant “cartoon mode” with absolutely no depth to either the story or the characters. Nothing on screen carried any weight and the crazed visuals just seem to run together. Everything from the first frame forward screamed “bad live action cartoon” and it was reinforced throughout the running time at every turn. It seems to me like director Guillermo Del Toro has fallen in love with his bizarre CGI creature creations and has decided to forget EVERYTHING else. This film felt like a mash of Pan’s Labyrinth and Blade 2’s extra footage with all the heart and story cut out. Unfortunately, I found myself glancing at the exit sign at my theatre more then once but I’m glad I resisted the urge to bolt. I did enjoy the final confrontation quite a bit but not enough to save this movie.

4/10

First of all, the creature creations were 95% prosthetic practical design, and they were truly astonishing - if the makeup & design team doesn't at least get an Oscar nomination out of this, I will lose what little faith I have left in the Academy (A lot of that went out of the window when PAN'S LABYRINTH didn't clinch the Best Foreign Film category).

Y'know, you say that the film had no heart to it. oddly enough, that was one of the major points in favour of the film for me - it has a HUGE heart and an endearing soul. And a humungous number of reviews say the same thing.

The story was simple and straighforward (I can forgive the odd plot hole, to be honest), coupled with a whole bunch of bloody gorgeous fight sequences and photography to die for. As far as I'm concerned, if I come out of the cinema with a smile on my face and my heart lifted, then the film has done its job, plus it has darker themes of the ending of days and the loss of creatures and beings this world will never see the like of again - all through the greed and destructive force of mankind.

Oh, and any film that has me singing 'Can't Smile Without You' out loud as I exit the theatre and no one thinks I'm deranged just has to be worth seeing again and again. I loved it.

HM

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

First of all, the creature creations were 95% prosthetic practical design, and they were truly astonishing - if the makeup & design team doesn't at least get an Oscar nomination out of this, I will lose what little faith I have left in the Academy (A lot of that went out of the window when PAN'S LABYRINTH didn't clinch the Best Foreign Film category).

Y'know, you say that the film had no heart to it. oddly enough, that was one of the major points in favour of the film for me - it has a HUGE heart and an endearing soul. And a humungous number of reviews say the same thing.

The story was simple and straighforward (I can forgive the odd plot hole, to be honest), coupled with a whole bunch of bloody gorgeous fight sequences and photography to die for. As far as I'm concerned, if I come out of the cinema with a smile on my face and my heart lifted, then the film has done its job, plus it has darker themes of the ending of days and the loss of creatures and beings this world will never see the like of again - all through the greed and destructive force of mankind.

Oh, and any film that has me singing 'Can't Smile Without You' out loud as I exit the theatre and no one thinks I'm deranged just has to be worth seeing again and again. I loved it.

HM

Really the plot hole is non existent, as Abe probably didn't know the effects of the crown fragment and Hellboy didn't know that Nuala had it with her.
Was I the only one who felt moved at the end of fight with the Elemental?

 

[DBZ2cool]

80 million budget. It will do around 30-32 million this weekend and end with 85-90 million since TDK will kill it next weekend.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

80 million budget. It will do around 30-32 million this weekend and end with 85-90 million since TDK will kill it next weekend.

So?

 

[ANTOINE X]

I believe I read their budget is somewhere around seventy million. In that range, at least.

Only 70 Millions for all those good fx?

 

[TheDarkKnight08]

Well, I write review for my myspace blog, and this is what I had to say for this one.

Review
Ok, I thought this was movie was gonna be good... and it ended up being great. I really did not expect it to be this good. Guillermo Del Toro has never dissapointed me, and this is no exception. Coming off hot from Pan's Labyrinth, he brought back to cinemas Hellboy, and, man, did he do it right. The movie is filled with more action and imagination than most movies out now. It improves on the first in almost every single way. The supporting characters feel more fleshed out, and I enjoyed the hell outta every scene. The whole thing is an incredible blend of humor, fantasy, and action. It also has some of the funnier scenes of the year, particulary Hellboy and Abe getting drunk, singing the song "Can't smile without you", I was laughing my ass off, but as soon as the funny went away for a while, the movie kicked my ass with awesome action and visually stunning set pieces. The movie is amazing. It'll do... til The Dark Knight.

Acting
9/10
Ron Perlman, again, is perfect as Hellboy. He really does capture the humor and struggle that Hellboy has to go through. He is one of the better cast superheroes, and I really wish to see more of him as Hellboy, and as an actor. He really held the movie up high with his performance. Doug Jones, who plays Abe, also did much better in his part. His role was much more expanded in this one, and it shows. He plays a more central character. His performance is really strong, even under all that make-up. Selma Blair, who plays Liz, also pulled off her part. Instead of playing annoying damsel in distress, she really kicks ass and is very beliveable. Now, the new addition to the cast, Johann Krauss, was kind of a dissappointment. His look wasn't as cool as the comic. (Compare: movie-http://www.x-realms.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/krasusssmall.jpg vs. comic- http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/j/johann.jpg), and the voice was kinda flimsy. Thankfully he has some of the better scenes. Luke Goss and Anna Walton, who play Nuada and Nuala, aren't bad, but are kinda corny in some places. Him more than her.

Entertainment
10/10
This part was a huge improvement from the first. The CGI totally improved, the wirework not even noticable. The action was bigger and louder, and totally trumps anything from the first. The best sequence was the final fight between Hellboy and Nuada. It was fast and furious, and really stood out in the movie. The humor was really spot on. It fit the movie perfectly, and didn't feel over the top or unnesscesary. Obviously, this was one of the more entertaining films of the year.

Directing
9/10
Guillermo Del Toro. 'Nuff said. His scope and imagination are amazing and well-suited for this franchise. The scenes were beautifully shot and directed. He really gets it, you know. Like Nolan and Batman, Del Toro really fits and knows Hellboy front and back. I love what he did with this movie. The scope was bigger and much more on track with Hellboy than the first one. Now, if there's one complaint, it's this: The movie didn't feel Hellboy. What I mean is that it feels more like a movie about the team than Hellboy. I mean, why don't you just call it BPRD instead of Hellboy? He also made Hellboy to be more of problem to the team. He shouldn't have done that. He made Hellboy come off as kind of a class clown. It was funny, but you'd think Hellboy would mature from the events of the first one. That's always been a problem with superhero sequels, and unfortunately, it was no different here. It was still Hellboy's movie, but I wanted to see a smarter Hellboy here. Small rant, but I had to get it off my back.

Soundtrack
8/10
Believe it or not, I thought the music would suck donkey balls. It didn't. Danny Elfman, who I was slowly losing respect for, really stepped it up here. With the exception of some scenes were the music was too cheery, it was very epic and fit the scenes. Some other non-score songs that were used were really cool, and one of them involved the scenes where Hellboy and Abe get drunk and start singing.

In a nutshell
9/10
With the exception of it being more of a BPRD movie than a Hellboy movie, this was one of the better movies of the year. Ron Perlman's performance, Del Toro's direction, the action. It was all awesome, and it's one the few sequels that trumps the original in almost every way. I loved it, and am really hoping Del Toro decides to make HB 3 before or after he starts his work on The Hobbit. This'll do till HB3 comes out... or The Dark Knight.

 

[ANTOINE X]

After seeing Hellboy2 I want Mcfarlane to take Del toro for his next Spawn Movie. That's gonna be the best Spawn movie ever!

 

[Malus]

DarkKnight08, you are right on the nose on every point.
What a FUN movie this was.
I'm looking forward to TDK next weekend but I seriously doubt I'll enjoy it more than this.
Of course even though both are genre films, we're talking apples and oranges here. I don't want to see TDK end with

Spoiler

a satisfyingly funny character moment and a surge into bold end credits with a soaring Barry Manilow chorus.

And of course it would be disastrous if it did.
But that moment (and the earlier scene that it echoes) was pretty much my favorite moment of this film, and it underscores the essential differences between this and more somber genre efforts.
For a movie with demonic and hellish elements throughout, HELLBOY II delights by skirting the fringes of "somber and dark" rather than plunging in.

 

[TheDarkKnight08]

DarkKnight08, you are right on the nose on every point.
What a FUN movie this was.
I'm looking forward to TDK next weekend but I seriously doubt I'll enjoy it more than this.
Of course even though both are genre films, we're talking apples and oranges here. I don't want to see TDK end with

Spoiler

a satisfyingly funny character moment and a surge into bold end credits with a soaring Barry Manilow chorus.

And of course it would be disastrous if it did.
But that moment (and the earlier scene that it echoes) was pretty much my favorite moment of this film, and it underscores the essential differences between this and more somber genre efforts.
For a movie with demonic and hellish elements throughout, HELLBOY II delights by skirting the fringes of "somber and dark" rather than plunging in.

Thanks. I'm a Batman guy all the way (with a few exceptions), but when ever a movie like this comes along, I love it. But what did you guys think about Hellboy himself in this movie? I thought his portrayl was kinda off from the comics. IMHO

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

You are a very sad person.

No he isn't. I agree with him, it took all of my power not walk out of the film.

For the record, my mom and sister, who really enjoyed the first one didn't like this either and I could be wrong because I didn't exactly poll people but most of the 20 people in the theater didn't seem to care about it either.

I personally don't care if I'm right or wrong because I don't get anything either way but I think that this thing is going to have terrible word of mouth and bad legs. And not because of Batman.

To add to my mini review and agree with a few posters, Danny Elfman's music wasn't nearly as good as Marco Beltrami's and I much perfer David Hyde Pierce's vocal performance.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

Thanks. I'm a Batman guy all the way (with a few exceptions), but when ever a movie like this comes along, I love it. But what did you guys think about Hellboy himself in this movie? I thought his portrayal was kinda off from the comics. IMHO

Sure, he's portrayed as happier and slightly snappier. But i can accept that as long as the final result is as enjoyable as this movie.
I didn't accept the changing in Costantine instead, because they were unnecessary and didn't result in a better movie.

 

[Theweepeople]

I'm going to see this is a few hours. I have a few more questions. Are there any after the credits scenes. Also, before the movie starts is there a logo that promotes Dark Horse comics in a similar way the DC and Marvel films start. I really like seeing the DC and Marvel logos at the beginning of those comic book movies.

 

[ANTOINE X]

No he isn't. I agree with him, it took all of my power not walk out of the film.

For the record, my mom and sister, who really enjoyed the first one didn't like this either and I could be wrong because I didn't exactly poll people but most of the 20 people in the theater didn't seem to care about it either.

I personally don't care if I'm right or wrong because I don't get anything either way but I think that this thing is going to have terrible word of mouth and bad legs. And not because of Batman.

To add to my mini review and agree with a few posters, Danny Elfman's music wasn't nearly as good as Marco Beltrami's and I much perfer David Hyde Pierce's vocal performance.

I respect your opinion but what's more can you expect from the movie? One thing I know is some of my friends find there was too much humor in it. But I liked it!

 

[Gotham]

I'm going to see this is a few hours. I have a few more questions. Are there any after the credits scenes. Also, before the movie starts is there a logo that promotes Dark Horse comics in a similar way the DC and Marvel films start. I really like seeing the DC and Marvel logos at the beginning of those comic book movies.

There is no after the credits scene.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

No he isn't. I agree with him, it took all of my power not walk out of the film.

For the record, my mom and sister, who really enjoyed the first one didn't like this either and I could be wrong because I didn't exactly poll people but most of the 20 people in the theater didn't seem to care about it either.

I personally don't care if I'm right or wrong because I don't get anything either way but I think that this thing is going to have terrible word of mouth and bad legs. And not because of Batman.

To add to my mini review and agree with a few posters, Danny Elfman's music wasn't nearly as good as Marco Beltrami's and I much perfer David Hyde Pierce's vocal performance.

I respect your opinion but what's more can you expect from the movie? One thing I know is some of my friends find there was too much humor in it. But I liked it!

I respect your opinion too and agree with some of your friends. And what I expected was a good movie, nothing earthshattering or anything but a good movie. I had Spider-Man 3 flashbacks with this film and thats just unacceptable too me.