Andy’s Rating: Really Liked It (10/13)
I went and saw Hellboy a few weeks ago, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I don’t want to give away any major plot points, so I’ll keep my review somewhat short. Surprisingly, the character of Hellboy serves as the emotional center of the film, not just the action hero. Despite his appearance, he is just a working-class superhero, and therein lies much of the appeal of the movie. He doesn’t have the heroic, larger-than-life qualities of a Superman or a Batman; he’s just trying to get through the day…it’s just that his day usually involves dispatching assorted Lovecraftian baddies. In that respect, you feel a little more empathy towards him. There is a little Hellboy in all of us.
But what make the movie really enjoyable are the over-the-top action sequences. The characters and villains are drawn with large, almost archetypical brush strokes. The design of Hellboy typifies this, with his bright coloration, his prominent facial features (granted, most of which are shared by the actor, Ron Perlman), and of course, the comically oversized Right Hand of Doom. And without getting into too much detail, the other heroes, villians, and assorted beasties are similarly exaggerated and unearthly. Consequently, the action sequences are a grand spectacle. For this reason alone, the movie is worth seeing. But beyond that, the movie is a great superhero romp, it has a little bit of everything, and it is just plain fun. I highly recommend it.
