Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Mini-review

Director Guillermo del Toro is a genius. He has such an incredible imagination. He carries a little notebook around with him everywhere, in which he makes notes and draws color sketches for the movies he's working on. The first Hellboy was very different from other super hero movies, but then in Pan's Labyrinth we saw the full extent of his creativity, and those who've seen his Oscar winning film will see echoes of Pan's Labyrinth in Hellboy II. They've let del Toro loose and let him go wild. It's a visual feast! The Troll Market scene can't help but remind you of the Star Wars cantina scene as it's chock full of fantastical monsters the like of which you've never seen. Hellboy remarks that no one looks at him there, as he fits right in. My favorite line from the scene is from what looks like a baby held by another monster. The baby pipes up, "I'm not a baby. I'm a tumor!"

The villain in Hellboy II is based on Celtic mythology, and the ancient elf kings. For once, there is some real sympathy for a super hero villain. He doesn't just want to take over the world -- Prince Nuada is angry that the ancient truce has been broken, and the humans have destroyed the magical creatures' forest homes. I never understood why the elvin royalty would choose to live in a subway basement rather than Ireland (or the endless forests of Alaska for that matter), but that's just quibbling. The story holds together (no lame Wanted Looms of Fate, here.)

I loved this movie! It was a little scarier than I was expecting as based on my memories of the first Hellboy, we brought our seven year old. Big mistake. One of the first monster scenes has tooth fairies. Not nice tooth fairies, but little bug-like flying fairies that like to EAT teeth and bones, and we watch them devour a few humans. We had to cover Ben's eyes for that part. The angel of death with eyes on his wings rivals any creepy monster in Pan's Labyrinth, too.

Ron Perlman is so perfect as the cigar chomping Hellboy. Thank you again, Guillermo del Toro, for reviving his career and bringing him back for the first Hellboy. I was so pleased that there was a childhood scene for Hellboy II, so that we get to see the wonderful John Hurt again as his adoptive father. There's some real emotion in this film, too, and of course the set up for the next film with Hellboy's relationship with fiery Liz (Selma Blair). I give this film an enthusiastic three and a half stars. See it on the big screen if you can. It's just awesome, and had me bouncing up and down in my seat over the fact that even as I type, Guillermo del Toro is probably scribbling away in his Hobbit notebook!!