From a time when DVD ruled the world!

Rating: 10/10 (14 April 2019)

Hellboy (2004) Original DVD Release
If only digging out an old standard DVD was as nostalgic and as warming as putting on an old vinyl record.
There's something special about an LP. The sound is distinctive and charismatic unlike the digital cleanliness of a Compact disc.
So what about Hellboy on original region 2 DVD release?
Having heard the news that Hellboy has gotten a reboot and not to too many positive reviews I decided to save my hard earned cash and skip a visit to my local multiplex.
Instead I dug out my dusty old copy of Guillermo del Toro's 2004 adaptation of the comic book hero.
Starring Ron Pearlman in the lead role as a demon raised from infancy by humans to help fight the supernatural.
Del Toro's film like those LP's is full of charisma and warmth.
It's a splendid comic book adaptation brimming with fantastic performances, stellar special effects and a script packed with charm and wit.
Ron Pearlman is fantastic as Hellboy, he brings both a heartfelt performance of a person who can't fit in with the world he so gallantly protects. At the same time he brings cocksure humour. Almost Dirty Harry like in his persona.
John Hurt is as magnificent as ever as is Doug Jones as aquatic creature Abe Sapien.
Selma Blair provides a believable relationship with Hellboy and the audience will root for their romance due to the chemistry between the two actors.
This is movie making done right. All elements coming together to deliver a quality final product.
Special effects particularly practical are exemplary.
Creature design and puppetry are very believable.
The corpse Hellboy carries around in the graveyard being an hilarious example.
All in all for a film made fifteen years ago the new Hellboy (2019) looks to be lacking in comparison.
The SFX in the trailers looked rather shoddy but I'm yet to see the actual movie so I'll reserve judgment.
I have never taken the chance to upgrade Hellboy (2004) to Blu-ray and to be honest until the news of the reboot I'd completely forgotten how excellent this movie is!
If ever a film deserved the 4K treatment then this is it.
High Dynamic Range would do this film justice and allow Del Toro's style of film making to burst from the screen.
He is a director known for using a bold colour palette.
Hellboy is no exception.
Wanting to experience this movie the best that standard 576p could offer I adjusted my TV to fake HDR and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Colours popped in most scenes. Inside Bruttenholm's study was a real stand out. Amber glow and the cool blue hues of Abe Sapiens tank were quite impressive.
Ok I was never going to replicate true HDR
but my point is that Del Toro's film was a splendid transfer even on this basic format. The modern technology of a 4K
television can help do wonders for this old DVD.
The graveyard scene in the snow demonstrated excellent contrast and vibrancy. This even by today's UHD standards is a good looking movie.
Please please please release a 4K transfer!
But in comparison to vinyl that I made earlier this old DVD copy has its own charm.
The now slightly dated effects are helped by the softer resolution.
In some scenes the CGI, particularly Hellboy's stone hand looked a little suspect. 4K would only accentuate the flaws.
I think it is HDR where this film will benefit the most. We need a redder Hellboy!
All the wonderful colours and tones that Del Toro paints across the screen would be given added vigour.
What about sound quality I here you ask?
Hellboy (2004) has an impressive sound mix.
I fondly remember purchasing this DVD and being bowled over by the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix.
This was one of my demo discs that I would use to tweak my old system.
Now a standard Home Cinema sound format the 5.1 mix still has punch.
The chapter in the library where Hellboy tries to take out the monster he likes to call Stinky.
This was a scene I would use to tinker with my Subwoofer.
Even now there's a delicious thud to the bass and this mix bravely tries to stand up against more impressive formats such as Atmos and the likes.
There's an impressive sound stage and a good use of sound placement.
Those rear speakers have plenty to do. Upmixing the 5.1 mix to DTS Neural X gave good atmospherics but there was never any real placement up top.
Yet again a 4K Blu-ray would no doubt come with an Atmos track and we'd hear this movie like never before.
So in reflection Hellboy (2004) is a magnificent film and one of the best standard DVD transfers of its time.
Bring out that 4K HDR BLU-RAY! Pretty please!