Holy Hell, Hellboy is a Masterpiece!

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2007)

It's a well known fact that comic book movies have become gigantic business in Hollywood right now. Big budgets, incredible CGI and star power rules in today's culture, and sometimes it can be for better or for worse. In the case of a certain 2004 film called Hellboy, directed by the visionary Guillermo del Toro and based on the cult-hit comic book created by Mike Mignola, It uses a combination of both minor stars and small-scale actors looking for a break to great effect. And I really, really hope that this movie shoots Ron Perlman into the big leagues.
For those who don't know the film as far as plot goes, the movie tells the story of a red-skinned demon with a tail, sawed-off horns, and a super powerful stone right hand named Hellboy...and he works as the Worlds Greatest Paranormal Investigator for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. He has brought to this world by the evil monk Rasputin (working for Nazis) and his sidekicks, the beautiful bitch Illsa and the zombie cyborg Kroenen. He was originally meant to be the one who would create the Apocalypse, but he denied his destiny and became a force for good. I will say nothing more about plot, so you can see the movie with relatively fresh eyes. I'm so clever.
I am a fan of Mignola's Hellboy character, and i just watched this an hour ago. del Toro has completely done what i have dreamed of: a kick-arse version of the comic that retains all of my favorite aspects, and adds a few more! Kudos, my good Mexican friend,, and look forward to seeing you for the sequel! Ron Perlman...hmm, what to say about the one man who is only rivaled by Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis being cast for their characters in Lord of the Rings in terms of the BEST CASE OF PERFECT CASTING!!! Ron totally embodies Hellboy, the way he speaks his one-liners, turns his head, and just about everything else completely blew me away. He was born to play the Red Guy, and he is gonna shine once again next year in 'The Golden Army.' Abe Sapien is played by both Doug Jones (body) and David Hyde Pierce (voice) and both are completely right choices. I will never forget Pierce's intelligent, gentle, and mesmerizing voice which gives a true 3-D personality to the fish-man. I wanna work with this guy someday.
There are many other things i wish to say, but i have to finish here soon. I'll say them quickly: a super-kick-ass cool villain in Kroenen, Karl Rodan being stellar as Rasputin, Selma Blair bringing pathos and humanity to Liz Sherman (a girl who controls fire) and John Hurt as the great Prof. Trevor Bruttenholm (pronounced Broom) In the end Hellboy is a truly great film. I must go now, but i totally recommend it! 9/10!!!!