A Fan's Dream Come True

Rating: 10/10 (5 April 2004)

Let me preface this with the fact that I have been a fan of Hellboy for *years*, my boyfriend lent me his collection and we've been reading it together ever since.
That said... The movie was awesome! What a treat and a breath of fresh air. Ron Perlman was the perfect choice as he had Hellboy's attitude down to a T, and had the craggy looks and sonorous voice to match. No one else could have done a better job and I'm glad that Del Toro held out for him to make the movie. Just remember Ben Affleck (whom I do like as an actor) and the travesty of Dare Devil.
The movie had the dark, woodcut appeal of Mike M.'s (the author/artist of the books) style and that was so important to fans. Mike's drawings have an austere and simple Lovecraft beauty and they brought that across on the screen so well.
The acting was superb, especially Abe Sapien. He almost stole the show for me. The work they did to bring such a difficult special effects character to life was clearly evident. Abe's innocent and childlike beauty of nature was right there, along with an amazing makeup job. I can't wait to see the extras when the DVD comes out, for both he and Hellboy were works of art in their costume and makeup.
The story was true Hellboy with all the major characters right there, larger than life. You got a feel for Hellboy and his friends, what it must be like to be the clean up crew, often used, but rarely appreciated. Liz, the pyro's character, was well done. Her horror in herself and her abilities made her very real. She doesn't revel in her abilities like an X-Men character would. Hellboy does, but only because it's the only thing he *can* revel in, being 'closeted away' as they all are. The part with the talking cadaver was VINTAGE Hellboy, right from the comic books and I laughed my butt off when we got to that part in the movie.
I highly recommend this movie. Some may not 'get it', those who aren't fans of the work, but I think that there are many who will enjoy this extremely well adapted comic book to movie piece.
And as I said to my boyfriend... "Oh come on! She has to give in and love him... he's fire proof!"