Movie Review: Hellboy 2

For those wondering if my preview of Hellboy 2 was any good, here is my review of the movie. But I must note that the film I saw was not the film you will see. Because I’ve been so crazy with several work projects, a potential interview with an elected politician, ad offers, and a new house I had to rely on a website that provides films for free. The trade-off is these bootleg films often lack the visual quality of seeing eye dogs, soundtracks queued up to characters either seen or forthcoming in the film by 5 minutes and other maladies.

Even so one thing was absolutely clear. Guillermo Del Toro has a very fertile imagination that would give most people nightmares. I on the other hand thought it was beautiful.

The visuals are the real appeal to this film. Unlike the very CGI “monsters from beyond” found in the first film, all the creatures are far more realistic in this film – if such a term can be used. The version I saw really did not do justice to the elemental in the film, nor most of the creatures. The rendering of the Golden Army was particularly bad, which is a shame since they still looked pretty good.

If you are looking for an improved plot in this 2nd film you will both be amused and disappointed. There are fewer plot holes or gaps in logic than the first film, but the constant foreshadowing (of a third film) detracts a lot. Plus there are a few moments when you just have to say “Why do that?” or “The solution is really simple here”.

Of course there is another love story in the film that is more a waste of time than anything else. It eats up time and slows the pace, but it also does give an interesting excuse for an American Idol-esque duet (not meant in a good way which is why it was funny).

There is more of a reality base in this film though. Hellboy has relationship problems, problems with authority, and moral crossroads. He is both very humane and very 16 throughout the film. Which at times works and is silly at others.

I can’t really comment on the sound either as portions were problematic in the version I saw. The acting was fine though. No Oscars out of this film but every character gets a moment to shine, more or less.

And it should be noted that this film is more about the other characters Hellboy calls his family than him really. Still seeing the world and the ‘other world’ through their eyes was refreshing since they all stem from Del Toro’s eyes.

The film in a nutshell is good. Not great, not fantastic. I felt it was better than the first, which is all you can really ask of a sequel. And, had I the time, spending the money to see this in a theater beats the experience of watching it on a flat screen any day.

So the film was basically what I was hoping for in the previews. So far this summer Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy 2, and WANTED have been worth the journey. I only hope that The Dark Knight will exceed my thoughts about the Joker (hype about Heath Ledger getting an Oscar aside) rather than turn into the abysmal failure that War, Inc. and Speed Racer were. But I’m not holding my breath on it.

Even more 2008 summer film previews

I’ve been writing about the summer movies of 2008 for some time now. I’ve covered everything from The Andromeda Strain remake on A&E, to Iron Man, to The Incredible Hulk. I’ve given previews of movies I’m looking forward to like Hancock and Wanted and movies that I think are, or will be, dreadful like Batman: The Dark Knight, What happens in Vegas, and Speed Racer. But there are a few films that I have failed to mention. So here I go.

Get Smart is a remake of a television show that first ran in the 1960’s. Don Adams, a former Marine, took a more comedic and slapstick approach to the suave spy theme in this show and made it work well. It’s a funny show that is known for its wacky and partially functional secret weapons as the leads instantly recognizable voice (used for equal success in the children’s cartoon Inspector Gadget).

This movie looks to have none of these sparks. Yes it is more flashy, with explosions and special effects that the original television program could only dream of. But the focus on all the glitz will detract from the actual comedy that is the Clouseau-esque lead. Lots of popular stars, big budget, and not a single reason not to wait for this to hit cable. Yet another movie version of a great television show that reveals Hollywood has no idea what makes a show work, or that they ever watched the program in the first place.



The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. And you thought all the mummies were done. This is the 3rd film of the series and lives in the same continuity. Our favorite mummy fighting dad, Brendan Frasier is back again alongside his son (now grown up) and his nar-do-well Brother-in-law.

Put the blame of the latest threat on the son this time as he releases Jet Li from his slumbers. The CGI looks to be good, and the clips give good reason to believe the unique blend of humor and action that made the first 2 films work well are still in place. If it’s half as good as previous movies in the series then this is worth going to the theatre.



Hellboy 2 has gotten a boost in the form of the director of Pan’s Labyrinth, Guillermo Del Toro. And its obvious that he had a major influence on the movie. The characters are right out of his mind to the screen. Which may help give more credibility to the story. The first film lacked believability, even for the subject it was dealing with. This one looks far more committed to the otherworldly essence that is the base of the story. Now if they can plug up the plot holes that plagued the first film it could be quite good. Either way it should be a better experience than Batman or Get Smart. If you have the extra cash it could be worth the money.



War, Inc. has several good things working for it. John Cusack is sort of reprising his role as an assassin that he played in Grosse Point Blank, along with his sister as his secretary. The film is absurd, dealing with a war that is farmed out to a corporation. That absurdity works with the way the film seems to be portrayed. And for the far-left there is a healthy dose of anti-war meaning that Hollywood seems to want to flood the theaters with.

At least this film seems to present that concept with a laugh instead of the usual sledgehammer seen in prior big budget flops (that deserved to never be seen).



Meet Dave, Space Chimps, Step Brothers, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, and Mamma Mia all seem like great films for the discount DVD bin. If I were to be paid to see them I’d still just stick with an edited trailer instead.

Could I be wrong? Sure, and the Dukes of Hazzard was a film worthy of an Oscar. Honestly I’m sure some would like any of the films I don’t, just as some people think huffing paint is worth the holes in the brain it causes.

The only really big question in the near future is Batman. From what I’ve seen the Joker is horrible, and if he is the film fails. Not to worry though, there will be another Batman, likely a Hellboy 3, and several other superhero and videogame movies to come. They might even make a movie about Good Times or All in the Family. But that will be another post.