Fun, original and glossy - but flawed

Rating: 6/10 (12 April 2004)

Hellboy has an absolutely brilliant premise and the opening sequence pays dividends towards it. This part of the film - the set-up - is most definitely its strongest aspect. Its very dark and brooding, and the direction I wish the film had taken more strongly.
We are, after all, talking about a demon in a human world.
Ron "Naughty Nick Nolte" Perlman manages to play the role of the lead character with enough self-mockery and charisma to not appear like a big red gimp, but the script does not allow the character to be truely Demonic unless you count appearance; he's like atrouble teenager, not pure evil being told what to do. If a sequel is made it would be great to see original confusions and struggles with the character (not just grafting adolescence onto the body of a red bull can).
Sorry - the make up is brilliant!
The best charcter is the Nazi assassin - he should most deffo been left to live for the sequel.
Lovely action scenes and some cracking SFX; its got so much more to give though and could be as rewarding as 'The Crow', if it tried just a bit harder to not shovell more and more popcorn fodder at us.
5-6 out of 10. Great for a lads night with a few beers.