Hellboy



Director - Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Doomsday)
Starring - David Harbour (Stranger Things, Suicide Squad), Ian McShane (John Wick, Deadwood), Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Resident Evil)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Tagline - "Demon. Hero. Hellboy"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     People are often too critical of a film before seeing it.  I know its stupid reading a review and the critic says people are too critical but it's true.  People never give movies a chance.  People, especially genre fans, will shit all over a movie before seeing it just because of who is directing it or who was cast in it.  I'm a huge fan of the first two Hellboy films.  They are perfect dark fantasy action flicks with one of the richest and compelling stories I've ever seen.  The comics are amazing but these films are damn near perfect.  When Del Toro announced he was not helming the third film I was a little worried and when Ron Perlman was not cast as Hellboy I still had my doubts but I didn't bash the film.  I was still excited for a new Hellboy film.  I wanted to check it out when it was in theaters but work got the better of me so when a physical release was announced I reached out and was lucky enough to get one.  I'm glad I requested it because I truly enjoyed this film. 

     The film follows paranormal investigator Hellboy (Harbour) who works for his father with BRPD to stop supernatural forces from killing the innocent.  Hellboy's fate is tied to an evil queen known as the Blood Queen who was dismembered and spread across all Europe by King Arthur but now she is awakened and Hellboy is tossed in a battle to protect his own kind or the humans that raised him as one of their own.

     I heard some not so great things about this Hellboy release.  A lot of my horror minded friends ripped this one to shreds but that didn't stop me from wanting to see it.  I love the world that author Mikle Mignola had created so I couldn't wait to dive into it.  I can see why so many were turned off by the film but I honestly loved it.  It was a ton of fun.  The acting in this one is inconsistent.  Some of the cast is fantastic in their roles while others were a little underwhelming.  Ian McShane was fantastic as Professor Broom.  He doesn't match the Broom in the comics but that doesn't stop him from delivering a stellar performance.  With that being said, I wasn't feeling David Harbour as Hellboy.  He just seems to be stuck in his Hopper character but painted red.  Hellboy in the comics was a hard ass and rough around the edges.  This Hellboy just seems confused by everything and the scenes that require him to be tough is almost laughable by his portrayal.  He clumsily fights and his reactions are just so forced.  He was the weakest of the film.  The story for this one is a little goofy but it is still a fun watch.  The King Arthur angle is different and fun but it does make the movie feel a little goofy.  I like the legend of King Arthur but in a Hellboy film it does feel cheap especially with where they take it.  Aside from that I really enjoyed it.  The mythology around the creatures in the film and the pacing is great.  I would love to see more of this adaptation of Hellboy with more aspects of hell in it.  Finally, the film has plenty of practical effects and just as much CGI.  The practical effects we get are top fucking notch but the CGI is horrible.  It stands out like a sore thumb and makes a great scene feel cheap and rushed.  With all that being said, this film is fucking brutal.  We get so many bloody kills that I was not expecting.  The body count in this one is extremely high which adds another aspect of fun to the film.  Overall, Hellboy is far from perfect but still an entertaining ride.  This is a popcorn flick that I will be revisiting extremely fun.