In the early 2000s, when the ban on superheroes was lifted and comic book adaptations to the big screen were no longer frowned upon, Guillermo del Toro, a director who was just starting to make a name for himself, had the luck to adapt Hellboy for the first time to the big screen. Mike Mignola’s comic book came to life with great box office success, and four years later its highly successful sequel arrived: Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.
Now, HBO Max (Max in the United States) has just added this great movie to its catalog, as a reaffirmation that, 16 years later, Hellboy 2 is still a wonderful movie that is worth watching over and over again. At the very least, much better than the forgettable Hellboy of 2019. But what makes this film special?
Hellboy is on fire
First of all, the plot of Hellboy II grabs you from beginning to end. The story follows the benevolent demon, Hellboy, as he fights against an elf prince determined to awaken an army of invincible mechanical creatures. Action is guaranteed, as well as hilarious comedy touches and supernatural elements that keep the viewer hooked to the screen.
In addition, the characters are magnificently developed. Hellboy, brilliantly portrayed by Ron Perlman, is a charismatic and complex protagonist who struggles with his demonic identity and his desire to belong to the human world. But the supporting characters, like Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien, also have depth and contribute significantly to the story.
But the most outstanding, of course, is the artistic direction of Guillermo del Toro. It is simply amazing. Each scene is meticulously designed, from the stunning fantasy settings to the shots he chooses to tell the story. In addition, the combination of practical and digital visual effects creates a visually stunning world. A movie you must immerse yourself in at some point.
