Hellboy [2004] - DVD (Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Rupert Evans - Dir: Guillermo del Toro)

In the ongoing deluge of comic-book adaptations, Hellboy ranks well above average. Having turned down an offer to helm Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in favor of bringing Hellboy's origin story to the big screen, the gifted Mexican director Guillermo del Toro compensates for the excesses of Blade II with a moodily effective, consistently entertaining action-packed fantasy, beginning in 1944 when the mad monk Rasputin--in cahoots with occult-buff Hitler and his Nazi thugs--opens a transdimensional portal through which a baby demon emerges, capable of destroying the world with his powers. Instead, the aptly named Hellboy is raised by the benevolent Prof. Bloom, founder of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, whose allied forces enlist the adult Hellboy (Ron Perlman, perfectly cast) to battle evil at every turn. While nursing a melancholy love for the comely firestarter Liz (Selma Blair), Hellboy files his demonic horns ("to fit in," says Bloom) and wreaks havoc on the bad guys. The action is occasionally routine (the movie suffers when compared to the similar X-Men blockbusters), but del Toro and Perlman have honored Mike Mignola's original Dark Horse comics with a lavish and loyal interpretation, retaining the amusing and sympathetic quirks of character that made the comic-book Hellboy a pop-culture original. He's red as a lobster, puffs stogies like Groucho Marx, and fights the good fight with a kind but troubled heart. What's not to like? --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews of Hellboy [2004]

Tarot Scribe
Scotland
15th November 2008

Hellboy - a parent's pov
I am a fan of Del Toro's Spanish language films, but had not seen Hellboy, dismissing it as teen-horror-flick nonsense. I hold my hands up and admit it, I was wrong!

I LOVE this film - and so does my 8 year old son. In fact, I've watched it (as I type this) 12 times. And yes, I still love it.

From a parent's point of view, there are a couple of scenes that you need to keep an eye on - when the mask-wearing baddie is laid out on the slab and you get to see what he looks like (yeuk!).

I'd advise watching this seated alongside anyone small. Although there are demonic references, the demons themselves are not much to give your kid nightmares about. TBH If you've seen Indianna Jones and the Crystal Skull, there isn't much here that will upset your kids.

What I didn't expect to find in a film about a monster-killing demon (yes, Hellboy is the good guy!) was the humour. There are some unexpectedly funny moments in Hellboy. My main surprise was that Idid not expect this to be a tender love story: A father's love for his son; Hellboy's love for a girl. But don't worry - it's not done in a fluffy- bunny way (c'mon, it's Del Toro we're talking about here!)

It's a movie with a point. My son has learned that it's not what you're born that makes you who you are, but what you do with your life. And that's a sentiment that we could all do with learning.

Enjoy it!

Chris Wood
UK
4th November 2008

Very entertaining film
This has a lot of oddball parts to it, but overall it's very good fun and a good way of spending a quiet evening in. There's some great lines and a lot of very entertaining visuals, with some good action too. Great!

Stampy
England
6th September 2008

Warm but not scorching
Ron Perlman (Beauty and the Beast) stars as Hellboy, a creature who arrives in earth after an experiment during the war went wrong, and now in modern day works for the government as a protector of the good from the bad.

Based on Mike Mignola's comic books, this charming and action packed fantasy adventure delivers on a wonderful entertaining basis, though with a few flaws.

With an entertaining and magical opening, Hellboy will invite you into a fantastical world filled with dark magic and extraordinary creatures. The war settings and the business surrounding the opening are highly intriguing and will grab your attention straightaway, and when the child of Hellboy arrives you will be hooked as time moves forward with a montage of the creature growing up under the government's influence.

The plot revolves around Hellboy, and his relationship with society and evil, and somewhat ironic that a guy from hell is good, which gives the ideology of the film a sweet edge. There isn't much reference to heaven and hell as one or opposites, which would have created more depth and a greater understanding of Hellboy's home and instead, focuses upon the good nature of the hellish man, and it's interesting to see him portrayed as a man, with human emotions and beliefs rather than an animal, which is the view of the society in the plot, which creates emotional tension and entertainment, and a sort of controversy for current society.

Filled with action packed sequences, Hellboy dives into a horror and fantasy genre with its use of different creatures and appearances, giving the film a unique and approachable appeal, which is largely helped by Del Toro's stunning and gripping direction.

The Hellboy himself is interesting. Though funny, every phrase he utters feels like he knows he is a superhero, thinks himself cool, and adds way too much sophistication and daftness to his character. These phrases add up to unnecessary egotistical central protagonist, who despite being funny, can be very annoying and clichéd.

The plot is consistent, delivering action and suspense on a consistent basis with a different approach to the superhero genre. The ending however feels put of place with a dramatic climax which had no proper build up. Nevertheless and entertaining surprising action film

7.5/10

Bob Pobble
Herefordshire, England
31st August 2008

Del Toro does it again
I love this film... It's funny, but not in the wrong places. You know what i mean - when someone cracks a pitiful joke in the middle of a sad scene. Perlman does a good job of the tough guy, but the emotions really show through too. Even the music is excellent! I can't wait to see Hellboy 2.

Beaker
Hull, England
18th August 2008

An ok film ... nothing less, nothing more.
Ron Perlman is a perfect choice for the role of Hellboy and hes wonderful playing the part. The production of the film is good, the acting is decent, the story is fast paced and i enjoyed the film. However, it is missing something I cant put my finger on. Overall it's an above-average movie, worth a watch but nothing special. I have never read the comic so I came into this film with an open-mind and I found it to be a decent escapism-type film. With the sequel just around the corner I have just watched it again but that is only the second time I have watched this film. Comic-to-film adaptations are always a mixed bag, but this is one I didnt mind watching .... not as good as Batman Begins or 300, but certainly better than the dreadful Superman Returns or the lame Fantastic 4 film.