Hellboy II: The Golden Army Review

Posted by on July 12th, 2008   Filed under: Action, Books/Comics, Fantasy, Featured, Movie Review

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro
Written by: Guillermo Del Toro and Mike Mignola
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, Seth MacFarlane (voice)

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Amidst a stacked summer line-up that boasts six comic book and/or superhero movies to choose from, Hellboy II: The Golden Army sets itself apart from the competition by being so much more than just another action movie starring a guy in tights. We already knew that Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics were filled with dark humour and a bit of the occult, but this time around Guillermo Del Toro’s influence is so strong that it takes things to a whole other level. If Pan’s Labyrinth was the movie that finally earned Del Toro respect as a visionary and a genius, then Hellboy II is the movie that sets his genius loose on a blockbuster budget. The result is a film that is simply overflowing with imagination and stunning visuals.

Although at times it feels like Del Toro is throwing everything in his arsenal at us including the kitchen sink, it works in the world of Hellboy where pretty much anything goes. I do wonder if some fans of the Hellboy comics might feel like Mignola’s original vision is being crowded out a bit here, but on the other hand, how can you possibly deny the limitless creativity that has seeped into every inch of this film?

One of the things I liked about the original Hellboy was its sense of humour, and the sequel once again finds a great balance between comedy and drama. Our hero is a gruff and macho fellow who is seemingly unimpressed by the fantastical baddies and supernatural elements that he comes into contact with on a daily basis (he also manages to be the hard drinking hero that Iron Man should have been). The movie milks a lot of hilarity out of his spats with FBI director Tom Manning (Jeffrey Tambor), his girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), the scientific Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), and a brand new character named Johann Krauss (voiced by Family Guy‘s Seth MacFarlane). Krauss is a strange German guy who exists only in ectoplasmic form, outfitted with some sort of steampunk-style containment suit. Interesting to note that Doug Jones does a great job playing Abe on screen and also providing his voice this time around, since David Hyde Pierce did not return for part 2.

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Although the story is almost irrelevant, I’ll give you the basics. There is an ancient truce between humans and mythical creatures that is about to be broken by Prince Nuada (Luke Goss). He needs to collect three pieces of a crown to take command of The Golden Army, a group of giant clockwork soldiers that he plans to unleash on humanity. However, his sister Princess Nuala wishes to uphold the truce and has the last piece of the crown in her possession, so when she crosses path with The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy and Co. step up to try and protect her (along with the rest of the world).

Hellboy II fuses a number of different styles together, and with a lesser director it might feel like a patchwork job, but Del Toro pulls it all together into something unique. Whether it’s the wacky sci-fi fun of Men in Black, the epic fantasy elements of the Lord of the Rings, or the martial arts choreography of movies like Hero, Del Toro moves between them all with ease. There are some great action scenes here, and I was continually impressed with how fast and fluid they were able to make Hellboy look despite his size. Prince Nuada was a cool villain, if maybe a little shallow, but his graceful fighting style was an ideal contrast for Hellboy’s brute force.

More than anything, however, this movie provides eye candy beyond anything I’ve seen in a long time. Every 10 seconds there is something new to behold, and even the most jaded and cynical moviegoer will find the sense of spectacle and wonderment that we all love to get from a trip to the theatre. There is a deft mix of practical and CG effects, and the scenes that take place in Troll Alley resembled a collision between the Star Wars and Harry Potter universes, amplified 100 times. Some might complain that there are actually too many strange creatures and art design details to keep track of, but most of it is simply window dressing. That doesn’t mean you won’t have a great time soaking it all in. Admittedly, the story does kind of take a back seat to all the effects and set pieces, but the movie doesn’t derail or become boring at any point.

I realize the summer is still barely past the halfway point, but I can safely say this is my favourite of all the blockbusters thus far, hands down. (Yes, I know The Dark Knight is right around the corner.) I had high hopes for this movie, and it still did not disappoint. In fact, I can even see myself plunking down money to see it a couple more times. After watching Hellboy II, however, I think there’s one very important thing we can all agree on: Del Toro’s take on The Hobbit is going to be absolutely mind blowing. — Sean

SCORE: 4 stars



Recommended If You Like: Men in Black, The Lord of the Rings, Hero, Pan's Labyrinth



  • “Although at times it feels like Del Toro is throwing everything in his arsenal at us including the kitchen sink”

    Just by watching the trailer or commercial you can tell its way overblown to a b point where it becomes laughable.

  • Goon

    the bad reviews I’ve seen for Hellboy have thrown up their hands in exasparation of having too much to look at, that its overly self-indulgent.

    It’s not Pans Labyrinth that has me prepared for something like that so much as the spirit within the first hellboy film. Its relaxed, its not concerned about being tight. It takes its time to enjoy the characters and have fun, perhaps at the expense of a star rating but it sets it apart from other comic book films, easily. I’m hoping for that sense, just with these better looking monsters. I have to admit that this is a film I’m walking in really wanting to like, the same way people were predisposed to liking Transformers. I’m not sure if I were to review it anyone could really trust what I have to say about it.

  • Mike

    This film was absolutely stunning. I completely agree with this review. I also think in all ways it blew the first Hellboy out of the water.

  • scoville

    “Its relaxed, its not concerned about being tight. It takes its time to enjoy the characters and have fun, perhaps at the expense of a star rating but it sets it apart from other comic book films, easily.” – Goon

    Sorry to say it, but the first half of The Golden Army isn’t like this. The pacing gets much better in the second half, but the beginning really was too cluttered.

  • The talented fantasy filmmaker and heir to the Lord of the Rings throne gets the tone right throughout Hellboy 2, and the hip retro charm alone is enough to merit recommendation.
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  • Swarez

    Wow that’s great Cyber.

  • Goon

    I really liked the first part, including the puppet backstory and the elf kingdom fight, but will agree that its a little later before it really takes off… and once its off, i’m smiling the rest of the way through. overall i thought it blew the first one out of the water, and made much better use of its secondary characters.

  • 1138

    Just saw Hellboy 2 an I must say I loved it! Thought it was so fun and enjoyable and Del Toro really out did himself!!!

    Missed Hyde Pierce just a moment but quickly got over it. Abe was great as were all the characters.

    It was a fun summer flick with great wit, charm, FX, action and laughs!

    For me ranks right up there with Iron Man this summer!!!

    This was so much better than that piece of trash “Wanted”!!!

  • Primal

    I really enjoyed this movie too guys. Much of the humour worked for me. Although, I was the only one who loled when the baby said he was a tumor. I didn’t think I would see a movie with better visuals than Speed Racer this year, but Hellboy 2 takes first place.

    It’s hard to say which piece of visual was my favorite, but Johann Krauss’ containment suit really stood out for me. I’d give the same rating as you Sean. I think I’ll go see this movie again.

  • Ryan M.

    Good but I only give it three stars. I did greatly enjoy how much screen time Abe Sapien got. I also loved the reliance on practical effects.

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  • I saw this today, and whenever there’s not cool action (which was all cool and I liked) or cool characters (which were all cool and I liked, especially the elemental, that’s the sort of video game shit you want to see done photorealistically and I’m glad somebody does it this good), it was boring. How can anybody care about these characters, their relationship issues, or take them seriously when they talk about love? Get that shit out of there, and give me more wuxia-action vs. nature monsters, vs. living rocks vs. eye-wing-man etc. etc. That’s where it lives and breathes.

    Johan Krauss was great comedy.

    One thing that grudges me though, is that the film seems to so blatantly cater to the man-children. Basically, (and please don’t take offense), this film is made for Goon to like it. Even Abe Sapien who is meant to be sympathetic, is a big poser when it comes to liking classical music – the no.1 enemy of the man-children. People who like classical music “have no soul” because they “aren’t silly”. In the mind of the man-child, all of them will eventually come back to Barry Manilow when down in the dumps – kind of like the “there are no atheists in foxholes”-way of thinking. That stuff annoys me and seems like speculation. But then I remember that this film is made by the man who eats 2 deserts before having his starter – it is made by the ultimate man-child so you really shouldn’t expect anything else.

    Here’s hoping that Will Ferrell will don the Hellboy suit next time. With Del Toro designing the action.

  • I don’t really understand your point. The movie sucks because Abe Sapien doesn’t like obscure enough classical music for you?

  • The movie doesn’t suck. I don’t think it’s a lesser movie because Del Toro makes his worldview known through it, it’s just not one that I share.

    It seems weird that Del Toro would take Abe Sapien and make him a poser like he did, but it makes sense when you understand where he is coming from. He is a romantic teenager. A happy-go-lucky manchild. His view of people who listen to classical music is that when push comes to shove, they will discard it and go for the easy-listening tame music for comfort – a view you would expect from somebody who has 2 desserts before a starter. I don’t share his view, but I respect him for putting it out there.

  • I think Henrik was beat up by a manchild in high school.

    Funny that he connects with Reed Farrington so closely…the biggest manchild I know.

  • Gargoyle girl

    people take movies too seriously. Have some fun with it, laugh a little, use your imagination, get the stick outta your butt! I loved all of hellboy except for the scene when hellboy was a kid and the romantic parts. seriously, i was watching a movie last night and it was so sad im suprised i wasnt dehydrated from crying so much. how pitiful mall cop and twilight were made me want to kill myself even more than that sad move about some guy whos mother drove him to jumping off a bridge. I also loved the details in hellboy. I could watch the movie 50 times and still find something new in it.compared to other movies nowadays, hellboy was a godsend!