Hellacious Boy

Sequel time, this one for Hellboy. Normally, this wouldn't be a great idea, but with Guillermo Del Toro at the helm, it's a great thing. I saw Pan's Labyrinth recently so had a lot more understanding of the visual imagination GDT brings to the screen, and this is a visual feast of strange creature ideas (which we only get teasing hints of in the trailers). Lots of gorgeous moments with creature effects, and the movie has a lot of these moments.

Which does mean the plot isn't really much, just an excuse to get to the next big fight scene. What character plot there is is pretty basic, but brings up intriguing possibilities for future movies. (Does make me want to check out the comics.)

Good to see Ron Perlman back, he plays the main role so well, as well as Selma Blair and technically Doug Jones (not that we get to see him sans make-up, and indeed he plays more than one role). Also we get Jeremy Irons, in the form of Seth MacFarlane, doing an extremely accurate rendition (certainly I thought it was Jeremy Irons until I saw the cast credits). But the main stars are the make-up and effects crew for bringing GDT's surreal ideas to life.

Definitely a film to see, even if you don't care about Hellboy himself, as it is a sight for the eyes that needs to be enjoyed on the big screen.

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