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Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Movie Review
By admin | July 11, 2008
I became a huge fan of Guillermo del Toro right after I saw what he did with Blade II. He totally made that film his and attention to detail with all of the creatures and baddies in that film were amazing. I went back and watched his previous films The Devils Backbone, Cronos and even Mimic all showed that insane eye that he has for the fantastical. Since then he has kept up that mentality and made Hellboy one of my favorite “super hero” movies. So naturally when the sequel was announced I was eagerly anticipating what he would do with the characters that he had already introduced.
The second time around Hellboy and his gang of rag tag BPRD agents including Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman and newcomer Johann must save the world once again. Prince Nuada is a creature of the forest and since he has been held back to the forests for centuries because of a truce between the mystical beings and humans he feels betrayed. Once a proud warrior and now he is forced to stay within the forests hidden from the humans as they destroy his land slowly. Using the help of a giant creature he breaks the code and goes to the surface to reclaim his land and to start a war by combining three pieces of the golden crown to awaken the indestructable army to take back what he believes is rightfully his. But Hellboy and pals have different plans.
The opening scene of the film takes place in 1955 when the Professor is still young and Hellboy is but a young kid. This is probably the only scene in the whole film that I felt was a little over the top and kind of cheesy. But it was important to the story that it happened. It helped introduce the golden army and the legend surrounding the Golden Army. I think the child actor in the role had a difficult time with all of the prosthetics and maybe that was why the whole thing just didn’t work for me. He didn’t feel like the character I knew. But that some problem aside everything from there on out went WAY uphill.
This movie has so many set pieces that are just amazing that there is no way I can talk about all of them. The most impressive however is the Troll Market which is basically like the Black Market only its for the mystical creatures. I think if George Lucas saw this scene he would smack his FX team in the head for not being smart enough to make the updated Cantina scene look this fantastic. We see all kinds of amazing new character designs and creatures that will just blow your mind. I should also point out a very funny scene that happens in this piece between Hellboy and a goblin involving a baby. You really have to see it to truly enjoy it. The eye candy is plentiful.
Usually when you hear a critic say this movie is for everyone its kind of their way of getting people out to see it because it is in their opinon just to good to miss even if half the population wouldn’t like it. But honestly this movie does have something for everyone.. except maybe little kids on second. They might get a little scared at some of the more elaborate monster designs. But the film has so many layers that it makes for the perfect movie to bring you girlfriend/wife too or ladies you can definitely drag your man into this one.
The reason it is so well rounded is that del Toro manages to sucessfully balance a couple love stories with some insane battle sequences. Such is the talent of this man. He is one of the best at directing action sequences but knows just how to pull at your heart strings and on the opposite end of the spectrum make you laugh til it hurts. He also weaves the story in a way that it all rolls along within the context of the movie. Del Toro addresses both puppy love and love that really knows no bounds in this film. Surprising from a super hero movie which is what makes Hellboy such an interesting character.
Oddly enough he also has several different messages that he weaves into the story as well. If you look close enough in a single line he can address a whole issue which is being dealt with today. Everything from gay marriage and taking better care of the Earth are addressed. None of it however is heavy handed or in your face. Especially the point of gay marriage which if you zone out for a second you might miss. It takes a master craftsman to be able to do all that he does and not have a mess on your hands.
Now this brings me to the subject that I feel I must bring up. Sequel? I sure hope so! This movie brings up so many questions and has so many loose ends that are no tied together that it would be shame not to see a part III. What struck is the way the movie ends is such a set up for another movie yet del Toro has gone on record saying he wasn’t sure about doing another film. I have my fingers crossed that this movie makes bank at the box office so we can see that part III and after you see this movie, you will too. So strap those shoes on and drive to your local theater and check this one out. Even if you are not a fan of Hellboy.. the visuals alone are worth the price of admission.
Topics: Film Reviews |
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Hellboy is dependably fun; for sure that director has an amazing imagination, reminded me a lot of his work in Pan’s Labyrinth