Cinema review
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, John Hurt
Release date 22 August 2008 (UK)

An ancient and largely forgotten truce between mankind and elves is at risk of being shattered when a disenfranchised exile prince (Goss) attempts to raise an indestructible, arcane clockwork army. In response to this threat the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence sends in their finest – namely, Hellboy (Perlman)…

Hellboy II is yet another comic book movie that is jostling for attention among this summer’s blockbusters. By that score it fulfils certain criteria ably: interesting set pieces, gorgeous character design, satisfying confrontations and solid special effects make this film worth the price of admission.

What will divide audiences is the uneven tone of the film that veers from gritty comic book darkness to odd rom-com type shenanigans. In an effort to portray Hellboy and his colleagues at the B.P.R.D as more than just two-dimensional superheroes, the film stumbles into rather uninteresting personal dramas. Another weak link is Danny Elfman’s score, which is largely unremarkable and at times seriously clichéd, with its choirs whining away at moments of high emotion.

Hellboy II is at its best when the B.P.R.D are doing what they do best: investigating the weird and wonderful (del Toro provides both in abundance) and kicking ass. The market scene is a particularly wonderful example of the director’s vibrant and teeming imagination.

Ron Perlman was quite simply born to play Hellboy, and he steals every scene he is in. Luke Goss trained for seven months with spears and swords in preparation, and he’s suitably impressive as Prince Nuada, although the script and his rather sparse performance conspire to make him a slightly uncharismatic villain. Den Patrick

VERDICT: 8/10
Hellboy II is a worthy follow up to its predecessor, though it tries a little too hard to be funny at times.