Big Ron loses his head and sheds the red

Rating: 7/10 (12 April 2010)

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro's third English language feature is an enjoyable comic book superhero romp starring the peerless Ron Perlman (as Hellboy himself). Big Red Ron wisecracks and chews cigars as he battles beautifully-realised CG hell-hounds in just the sort of impressive baroque sets we have come to expect from him; it seems del Toro can't get enough of letting the red stuff run through sewers and caverns - the danker the better.
While the script is occasionally aimless, it's also very witty. Perlman plays Hellboy like an indignant teenager, full of tantrums and sarcastic retorts. He's ably supported by John Hurt, Rupert Evans, and Jeffrey Tambor, all hamming it up deliciously; Selma Blair seems somewhat vacant by comparison. The plot is ludicrous of course, but never boring. Del Toro is as bold as ever - not only in the casting of a decidedly non-stellar cult hero in the title role, but also in his wanton references to real historic villains to bolster the menace of his many menaces. But it is generally breezy stuff: silly, too violent for younger children, and yet sweet-natured and - Superman Returns and Spiderman 3 take note - FUN.