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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2008 - 3:19:05 PM |
4 out of 5 stars
It’s been a long wait for fans of Guillermo del Toro’s original Hellboy – four years, to be precise, since the first film was released. But the wait was worth it, as the sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, not only retains all of the qualities that made the first film so good, but improves on them.
Hellboy II returns us to all of our old favorite characters: Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a demon who was summoned by Rasputin and the Nazis during World War II; Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), an amphibious psychic; and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a pyrokinetic who’s involved in a tempestuous relationship with Hellboy. They’re all part of the government-funded Bereau for Paranormal Research and Development, which must spring into action when it’s discovered that an ancient truce has been broken.
Prince Nuada (Luke Goss), an elven prince, is disgusted with the peace agreement that had been brokered between his world and the human world, and plans to collect the three pieces of a crown that would let him gain control over an unstoppable golden clockwork army numbering “70 times 70,” which handily trounced the humans in the original war. Obviously, that’d mean doom for our world; and so Hellboy & Co. head out for a fight.
Or a lot of fights, as it turns out, since del Toro gives us battles against everything from rampaging trolls to giant plant creatures called Elementals. Such battles are liberally sprinkled throughout the film, but del Toro is wise enough not to let them overwhelm the proceedings. Romance, drama, comedy, fantasy – there’s a little bit of each genre all mixed into Hellboy II. One accusation that can never be made about this film is that it’s dull.
Such genre-mixing shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who watched or enjoyed the original Hellboy, as it, too, was a superb blend of deadly serious drama and sly, snarky comedy. But Hellboy II easily surpasses it in both departments, and in many others as well. The stakes are higher, the story is more engaging, the creatures – always a hallmark of del Toro films – are more fantastic than ever. The same dry, sardonic wit is still present, but is coupled with several moments that caused howls of laughter from the audience (not least of all a drunken serenade of Barry Manilow’s “Can’t Smile Without You” – yes, it’s as good as the hype has made it).
One of the best developments, though, concerns Abe Sapien. A fan-favorite character from the first film, he gets a significantly beefed-up role here, and a romance with an elven princess (Anna Walton) as well. And the icing on the cake? Doug Jones finally gets to speak. One of the best actors you’ve never seen – as he usually appears under layers of heavy makeup and prosthetics – Jones had his voice replaced by an uncredited David Hyde Pierce for the original film. It’s nice to see him finally reclaim credit for the characters he brings so memorably to life.
In all respects, Hellboy II is an improvement on the original, and it sets up more than a few intriguing points for a third film. But del Toro’s signed on for The Hobbit as his next project, and it might be another long wait for the last link in the trilogy.
But hey – if it’s this good, I think we can all bear the waiting.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army runs 110 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language. Viewed at Commonwealth 20.
ereel@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421
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