Hellboy: Movie, DVD, Blu-ray disc Review
8/31/2007 Posted by Admin
Hell to the boy(Orignally published 2004)
Guillermo del Toro’s “Hellboy” is crammed with so much chaos and disorder, it stands as the most convoluted of the superhero lot.
It stars Ron Perlman as Hellboy, a giant red beast with blunted horns, a right arm the size of a semi, and a big, swinging tail meant to underscore Hellboy’s virility, which is substantial.
At 53, Perlman has the sort of wit, warmth and personality that can punch through the thickest layers of latex and makeup. Hollywood digs his butch swagger and he easily is the best reason to see the movie.
In its most streamlined form, the film begins in Scotland in 1944, where the Nazis have opened a portal into hell that promises to bring about the apocalypse. They do so with the help of Rasputin (Karel Roden)—yes, that Rasputin—who chants loads of electrified mumbo-jumbo before the entire operation is shut down with the help of British scientist, Dr. Broom (John Hurt).
It’s Broom who finds, protects and rears Hellboy, the satanic child who sprung from hell just before the portal was blown to bits. Now, in the present, Rasputin and his undead army are back seeking another end of the world. It’s up to Hellboy and Broom, along with Hellboy’s pyrotelkinetic love interest, Liz (Selma Blair), a mortal named John (Rupert Evans), and several others to end this madness before it fully unfolds.
Needless to say, complications ensue. So do the love triangles, particularly when it’s revealed that John also has eyes for Liz. The movie is at its best when it focuses on Hellboy’s romantic dilemma. Embarrassed by how he looks yet unfailingly in love with Liz, he feels conflicted about how to move forward, believing she couldn’t possibly love anyone who looks as grotesque as he does.
That plotline has been recycled to death in literature and the movies, nevermind the superhero genre. Still, in this otherwise overblown special effects extravaganza, it gives the film a pulse it otherwise would have lacked.
Guillermo del Toro’s “Hellboy” is crammed with so much chaos and disorder, it stands as the most convoluted of the superhero lot.
It stars Ron Perlman as Hellboy, a giant red beast with blunted horns, a right arm the size of a semi, and a big, swinging tail meant to underscore Hellboy’s virility, which is substantial.
At 53, Perlman has the sort of wit, warmth and personality that can punch through the thickest layers of latex and makeup. Hollywood digs his butch swagger and he easily is the best reason to see the movie.
In its most streamlined form, the film begins in Scotland in 1944, where the Nazis have opened a portal into hell that promises to bring about the apocalypse. They do so with the help of Rasputin (Karel Roden)—yes, that Rasputin—who chants loads of electrified mumbo-jumbo before the entire operation is shut down with the help of British scientist, Dr. Broom (John Hurt).
It’s Broom who finds, protects and rears Hellboy, the satanic child who sprung from hell just before the portal was blown to bits. Now, in the present, Rasputin and his undead army are back seeking another end of the world. It’s up to Hellboy and Broom, along with Hellboy’s pyrotelkinetic love interest, Liz (Selma Blair), a mortal named John (Rupert Evans), and several others to end this madness before it fully unfolds.
Needless to say, complications ensue. So do the love triangles, particularly when it’s revealed that John also has eyes for Liz. The movie is at its best when it focuses on Hellboy’s romantic dilemma. Embarrassed by how he looks yet unfailingly in love with Liz, he feels conflicted about how to move forward, believing she couldn’t possibly love anyone who looks as grotesque as he does.
That plotline has been recycled to death in literature and the movies, nevermind the superhero genre. Still, in this otherwise overblown special effects extravaganza, it gives the film a pulse it otherwise would have lacked.
Rated: PG-13. Grade: B
(Also available on DVD and Blu-ray disc)
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