Spectacular Visual Effect, Absurdly Simple-Minded and Cliched Plot, But What'd You Expect From A Violent, Adult, Live-Action Cartoon

Rating: 7/10 (28 March 2020)

I couldn't take my eyes off of "Hellboy" throughout the entire movie. The visual effects are just so striking. The plot is another throwaway good-vs-evil thing with one cast of misfits saving the world (or, in this case, "The Universe") from another. I think it's also trying to be say something about fate vs. free will or something along those lines, but anything it has to say in this regard wouldn't even rate a "C" in a freshman college writing or philosophy class. At core, it's story-telling as it's been done since the beginning of time-- good guys fighting bad guys. Why do bad guys exist? What's the nature of good? What's the nature of evil? So on and so forth. None of this matters for this film.It's pure popcorn entertainment with unusual, flawless, and spectacular special effects. "Hellboy" is intended to fully arouse your limbic system, while your pre-frontal cortex slumbers. Don't watch it if this isn't your kind of thing, because it's no more than exactly what it promises to be. As long as you know go in with the proper expectations (simply watch the trailer), you shouldn't be disappointed.