July 15, 2008 -- Most sequels are inferior to the original. I'd say this one is about equal to the original, thanks to a good script, a great director, a talented cast of actors and some very good costume, makeup and visual effects people. The story isn't quite as tight as the original and the villains aren't nearly as menacing, but the main characters are stronger and better rounded than before.

Ron Pearlman stars as Hellboy, reprising his role from the first film. Pearlman is a fine actor who has found a niche for himself in the fantasy and sci-fi genre. He's a natural leading man, but his facial features lend themselves to more off-beat characters, such as his memorable roles in “Alien Resurrection” and “The Name of the Rose.” His role in Hellboy is remiscent of his role as Vincent in the 1987-90 TV series “Beauty and the Beast.” This latest Hellboy movie gives Pearlman more screen time, including a memorable drinking bout with Abe Sapien (played by Doug Jones, who also plays the Silver Surfer) another fish out of water hero who is in love with Princess Nuala (played by Anna Walton of “Vampire Diary”). The two comiserate with each other about the miseries of being in love in difficult relationships. The love relationship between Hellboy and Liz Sherman (played by Selma Blair) has advanced to the marital bickering stage. Hellboy and the flamable Liz are the literal heart of this movie.

Joining these three superheroes is a new character, Johann Kraus (voiced by Seth Macfarlane), a kind of ectoplasmic mystic in a kind of diving suit. He is able to use his ectoplasm to take over other people's bodies and even briefly reanimate the dead. He is put in charge of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense's top secret squad to restore order after Hellboy goes public. Hellboy, it seems, wants some recognition for what he and his fellow superheroes have done for mankind. Instead, what he finds is rejection and suspicion because of his appearance and because he is different. There could be a political subtext in this film from the writer-director, Guillermo del Toro, who happens to be Mexican. Hellboy's rejection by society could be compared to rejection of Hispanics by a segment of American society. This is highlighted in a scene in which Hellboy rescues a human infant menaced by a kind of giant attack vegetable. After the heroic rescue, he is scorned by the very mother of the child he saved.

There are all kinds of strange magical creatures in this film. Many appear in scenes of a “troll market” under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, others appear in the underground kingdom of the original “Sons of the Earth” (like Elves, maybe?). Among these elf-like creatures are Princess Nuala, Prince Nuada (Luke Goss of “Blade II”) and King Balor (Roy Dotrice of the “Beauty and the Beast” TV series). King Balor and Princess Nuala want to keep the peace, but Nuada wants war with the humans, who long ago broke their truce with mythical creatures. Princess Nuala flees to the protection of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, but even those superheroes cannot long protect her from her fierce brother. At stake is control of the golden army, which could destroy mankind.

The film's many magical creatures are rendered in a very imaginative way. From the deadly tooth fairys to a giant rock being, there is a staggering variety of magical creatures on display in the film. The makeup and CGI artists who worked on this film created a dazzling array of creatures, a visual cornicopia. The golden army, an army of ancient robots, is similarly intricate and ornate in design. The makeup for the aquatic Abe Sapien is visually interesting, while supple enough for Doug Jones to do some real acting in the film. In the first film, Abe Sapien had a much smaller role. Hellboy's makeup gives Pearlman similar acting flexibility. The film's main villain, Prince Nuada, is a fairly rounded character for a villain. The link between him and his twin sister Nuala, gives the two characters added complexity. This film combines arresting visuals, rounded characters and plenty of action. It rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2008 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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