Hellboy II

Hellboy II has made a vast improvement since the first movie. I did like the first film but I wasn’t impressed by the story line or character development. The second Hellboy has so much more of del Toro’s influence. The surreal environments and unique new characters really bumps up what is to be expected in a comic to film adaptation. I personally find the creatures and elves to be a breath of fresh air into the Hellboy story. No more redundantly overused nazi antagonist or summoning some Cthulu like creature to destroy the world. The elf antagonist is a character with depth and brings a sense of conflict to the viewer. He is a character that can be sympathized for, not his actions but his feelings towards humanity’s never ending hunger. There is also the connection with Abe and the elf princess that adds further conflict.

Hellboy II is in my opinion an opportunity for del Toro’s work to be seen at a larger level. Sure it is definitely no Pan’s Labyrinth, but that does not stop it from being a good film and very well artistically executed.

Overall, I would have to say that Hellboy II would have to be one of the year’s best films alongside The Dark Knight.

~ by kkinnamon on December 2, 2008.