A fun ride

Rating: 6/10 (6 September 2004)

Within minutes anyone who appreciates a good story will no doubt feel shortchanged and possibly may even be rolling around the cinema aisles in fits of laughter.
If you can get over the fact that Nazis opened a porthole to another dimension and attempted to unleash demons on Allied troops to win the Second World War with the aid of a resurrected Grigori Rasputin, you may enjoy this action adventure.
Admittedly the action sequences and effects are great and Ron Perlman is superb as the wisecracking superhero, Hellboy. John Hurt too is fittingly OTT as Hellboy's mentor.
There is also an amusing romantic subplot which will keep you entertained although it's hardly Casablanca. An action movie sharp in dialogue but decidedly blunt in story is nevertheless an enjoyable ride, just so long as you don't expect too much.