Movie Monday - Hellboy

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Writer: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Karel Roden, Jeffrey Tambor, Rupert Evans

Release: 2004

In the closing days of WWII, the Allied forces discover a mystic ritual to open a portal to another dimension being performed by Axis magicians. While they were able to stop the ritual, something was able to slip through. A small being, like a child, but red and horned – a hell-boy. Sixty years later, Hellboy is a major part of the BPRD (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) under the direction of his adopted father. Hidden from the world, Hellboy and other members of the BPRD are the first line of defense against the supernatural threats that dangerous underworld forces send to wreak havoc on humanity. However, there is a new danger that has arisen – one that dates back to the reason Hellboy came to Earth in the first place. Hellboy must confront his destiny and choose a path – but will that path be of protection or destruction?

THE SQUEE

• Del Toro has done a fantastic job of adapting the Mike Mignola comic for the big screen. Some of the most iconic elements are present, coupled with a heavy dose of action and splashes of humour. While the film is closer to a standard action film than the gothic style of the comics, it still has the appropriate Hellboy feel of bizarre science mixed with dark magics. The overall tone of the film matches the comics very well, that blend of pulp and wit that make them a joy to read.
• Ron Perlman is amazing. Simply amazing. Even under layers of make up and prosthetics, Perlman is able to give Hellboy incredible amounts of pathos. He captures the character superbly, showing Hellboy's strong belief in humanity and laconic attitude towards the creatures he faces. Perlman was hand chosen for the role by del Toro – in fact, del Toro showed Perlman the comic and said he wanted Perlman for the role before there even was a film.
• The overall design of the film, of the characters and monsters, perfectly fits the Hellboy style. It's not a direct transfer, like Watchmen, but one that captures the right feel of Hellboy. There are fan favourite parts in there, of course, but the film is just as much its own entity as the comics are.

THE SUCK

• If anything, Hellboy is too cool. He saves kittens! It's an amazing scene, but film!Hellboy isn't the world-weary warrior of the comics – he's an action hero up against insurmountable odds which he nevertheless surmounts. The end product is more Indiana Jones meets Van Helsing, rather than the Lovecraftian style Mignola made for the comics. A lot of times, I'm on board with that – despite my love of the comics, there is an air of the inevitable downfall of humankind to all of them. However, there isn't really any doubt to the film, there's no tension as to the eventual victory of Good. One of the best parts of the comics is that ambiguity about whether Hellboy is the eventual saviour or destroyer of mankind, but the film (beyond one brief temptation scene) never really has any doubts that he's the hero.

VERDICT
See this film. Read the books. See other films by this director, because he's OUTSTANDING.

Hellboy vol. 1: Seed of Destruction – 9781593070946 - $32.99 – 128 pages