The benefit of NOT cutting a film to shreds

Rating: 9/10 (23 August 2008)

Ron Perlman is back and looking a little thinner as Hellboy this time around. His relationship with Selma Blair is progressed in this film and, unlike the first, hasn't been cut to shreds by a moronic film studio, leaving Guillermo Del Toro to do what he does best, creating brilliantly visual and exciting films. It's amazing what he packs in to just under two hours because afterwards I felt like I'd been shown a whole world beneath the surface of our own. The theme, one of man's betrayal on all the ancient forces, both good and evil is well told. Luke Goss, who never seems to be in any film with his own face these days, plays the evil prince brilliantly, making him both understandable and unbelievably driven at the same time, since he sees mankind as a plague on the surface of the world. The complex story telling and multiple story threads would overload most directors, but Del Toro weaves them together with great skill giving the film enormous polish. I can almost guarantee a follow up movie from this one so hopefully Hellboy 3 is not too long coming. For fans of the director this is a must and for those who like their fantasy or action films with depth and polish this is first rate. If you want a popcorn movie you can switch off to, then I would steer well clear