Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]

Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]
by Guillermo del Toro

Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]

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DVD details

Actor: Doug Jones, James Dodd, John Alexander, Ron Perlman, Selma Blair
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Brand: Universal
Writer: Guillermo del Toro
Producer: Chris Symes
Producer: Joe Roth
Producer: John Swallow
Producer: Lawrence Gordon
Producer: Lloyd Levin
Writer: Mike Mignola
Audio: English (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language); French (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-11-11
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios

DVD Reviews of Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]

DVD Review: Entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars

Entertaining sueprhero flick that closely follows the footsteps of it's excellent predecessor. Good fighting sequences that are reminiscent of Chinese films like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers'. The monsters continue to look great and be inventive. And Hellboy is just a fun character to watch at work - his asides remind me of Bruce Willis in the first 'Die Hard' movie.

DVD Review: Astoundling Imaginative, But the Rest....
Summary: 3 Stars

This is a movie unfortunately half done or half baked, whatever you want to call it. But, there were a number of serious mistakes made with the movie. First off, I'm almost entirely sure it came out at the same time as The Dark Knight. This alone probably destroyed most of its box office numbers. It will take you on a ride, but it may not be one you like.

Spoilers!!!!!!!!!!

Story
Hellboy II: The Golden Army takes the graphic novel by Dark Horse comics to a whole new level. The story essentially is: at the beginning of time, there were constant wars between the Elves and the Humans. So goblins or something built this Golden Army which was indestructible and only the reigning King of The Elves could command them. So Prince Nuada is looking for this crown so that he can wage war on the humans. This is where things start going downhill. Nothing is ever really explained about Nuada's beef with the humans. The main plot starts getting thinner as the movie goes on. It stays that way for just about the whole rest of the movie.

There are a couple of subplots that take place which never materialize. Liz finds out early in the movie that she's pregnant. Then she doesn't tell Hellboy until the almost the very end of the movie. And Abe falls in love with the Elf princess. However, there is only one conversation between Abe and Nuala. My other issue is I never understood what Hellboy's superhero powers were. I know he has a huge hand which is incredibly strong. Maybe I just need to watch the first movie again.

Acting
This aspect was just barely above par, but what can these actors do with the dialogue they're given? Here's an example: "You're the best man I've ever met." And "Now, stay down!" Who wrote this stuff? I mean I realize it's supposed to be a graphic novel, but you're trying to entertain people that might be older than 13. There is nothing impressive about the acting and it really takes away from the rest of the movie. Even Hellboy's catch lines are contrived and weak. The only person who is able to infue his character with life was Doug Jones who plays Abe Sapien.

Fighting
This is a large aspect of ANY comic book adaptation to a movie. And again Hellboy II falls well short of expectations. I count three actual full length fights - Hellboy fights Wink, Hellboy fights the Forest God and Hellboy fights the Golden Army / Prince Nuada. There is a small clash between Hellboy and Nuada near the beginning, but it was mainly inconsequential. Even in the fights, nothing impressive happened. Hellboy punched people, jumped over things and shot his enormous six-shooter. Then during the fight with Prince Nuada, he all of a sudden gains incredible spear fighting abilities and amazing speed. I thought he was supposed to be slower and more powerful. Oh well.

Visuals
Hellboy II would be truly be barely an average movie if not for the imagination of Guillermo Del Toro. The CG is among the best I've ever seen, especially the part with the forest God. There is this giant tree-like creature in one scene and as he attaches himself to building, ferns and grass instantly sprouts up. Around every turn lies a different monster and abnormal or insane creature rendered by the makers of the movie. It's really impossible to explain the depth and realism of the special effects in this movie without you seeing them yourself. The makeup is astoundingly realistic and never once did I question the reality of the characters. It really takes you in to the movie.

Conclusion
I, myself didn't see this at the theatres and honestly I'm glad I didn't. It was another Hollywood movie that clearly had a vision and was lost in the embarrassingly almost retarded (literally, not offensively) dialogue, sub-par acting and an ok plot. Unfortunately, because the visuals were the only redeeming quality I would consider this a rent only movie unless you really love the Hellboy comics. Hopefully if there is a Hellboy III, some of these things will be addressed.

DVD Review: Better than the first movie, but still not great
Summary: 3 Stars

I thought the first movie introduced some great characters, but I didn't care much for the story, which I barely remember now. The sequel has more impressive visuals and action (particularly in the battle with the forest god), but again the story is pretty blah. This is yet another movie that involves a legend, a magical object, and a magical army. Once you learn that the villain and his twin sister are "linked," it's not hard to predict how the film is going to end.

Bottom line: An enjoyable comic book flick, but it still feels like the Hellboy universe hasn't met its full potential. This ill-tempered, wise-cracking, cat-loving, cigar-smoking, demonic crime fighter deserves better.

Richard Yee, author of Deliveries: A Collection

DVD Review: Not a fan of Hellboy.
Summary: 2 Stars

I have seen both movies, and I just can't seem to warm up to any of the characters in either one. They are either annoying or all out jerks, and the girl is really waffly. I was very impressed with the special effects, however, especially the winged harpy. But the story didn't grab my attention at all and special effects are not enough to carry a movie.

DVD Review: Liked it alot...but it's missing something.
Summary: 4 Stars

this is your typical fantasy type movie. i liked it cause who doesn't love hellboy..but it was short. much like the first one you miss the creature battles and expect to see a bit more of their world. you gotta love his humor which is not nearly played up enough. he was so cute as a kid. you want to see more of him growing up! *SPOILER* since he learns liz is preggy, i'd love to see his babies in another one! that would be awesome. definitely worth at least one watch to form your own opinion. but i swear if things don't work out with my hubby, Hellboy can sure call me!

Description of Hellboy II: The Golden Army [Blu-ray]

Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 11/11/2008 Run time: 120 minutes Rating: Pg13

The feverish Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a very busy sequel that might have looked unhinged in the hands of a less visionary director than Guillermo del Toro. Ron Perlman returns as Hellboy, aka "Red," the Dark Horse Comics demon-hero with roots in the mythical world but personal ties in the human realm. Still working, as he was in Hellboy, for a secret department of the federal government that deals (as in "Men In Black") with forces of the fantastic, Red and his colleagues take on a royal elf (Luke Goss) determined to smash a longtime truce between mankind and the forces of magic. Meanwhile, Red's relationship with girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), who can burst into flames at will, is going through a rocky stage observed by Red's fishy friend Abe (Doug Jones), himself struck by love in this film. Del Toro brilliantly integrates the ordinary and extraordinary, diving into an extended scene set in a troll market barely hidden behind the fa?ade of typical city streets. He also unleashes a forest monster that devastates an urban neighborhood, but then--interestingly--brings a luminous beauty to the same area as the creature (an "elemental") succumbs to a terrible death. Del Toro's art direction proves masterful, too, in a climactic battle set in a clockworks-like stronghold tucked away in rugged Irish landscape. But it's really the juxtaposition of visual marvels with not-so-unusual relationship issues that gives Hellboy II a certain jaunty appeal hard to find in other superhero movies. --Tom Keogh

Stills from Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Click for larger image)

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