Best "monster" movie in years!

Rating: 9/10 (21 April 2004)

This scruffy little flick is one of the best "monster" movies I've seen in a long time. The production values and effects are true to the original graphic novel, the score is terrific, the villains suitably villanous, but the real achievement here is Ron Perlman once again nailing his signature "monster with a soul" character. Perlman inhabits Hellboy's struggle to fit in; to be near Liz, the woman he loves and fears; his devotion to his "father", Dr. Bruttenholm; and finally his choice to reject evil, although evil created him. In the hands of a lesser actor this would have turned into a cartoon, but Perlman gives real depth to Hellboy, and makes the movie with his performance. This cries out for a sequel - and I'll be first in line to see it if there is one.