Monday, May 10, 2010
Hellboy
Hellboy isn't your average hero. Hell. He isn't even your average superhero. Brought forth by the Nazis during a sacred ritual towards the end of World War II. Our hero was summoned by accident when the evil monk of Russian history/folklore, Grigori Rasputin was meddling with forces that lead to his undoing. With the twisted and evil monster trapped for another sixty years when things don't go as planned (US soldiers heroically intervened). Hellboy is raised by Prof. Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm, an expert in the occult. Our demonic hero is initiated in to the Bureau of paranormal research were he joins the amphibious, kind hearted, and clever fellow "Freak", Abe Sapien. When Rasputin returns once again with the aid of his minions the maniacal, undead assassin Kroenen and the monk's faithful lover Ilsa. Hellboy must unwillingly pair up with John Myers, an idealistic, naive new agent of the Bureau. Not only that but the big hunk of an evil basher becomes entangled in a love triangle with the pyro-telekinetic love of his life Liz and his new comrade. Fighting evil couldn't prove more difficult or out there.
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Not your typical hero movie, but a great one nonetheless. It has humor, a little romance, suspense and action. The Doc, Hellboy, Abe and Liz have this dysfunctional family going on. Even though Hellboy was intended to be an evil individual, he was raised in a loving environment and is a good guy. He respects, maybe even likes, Agent Clay. Its just a fun movie to me. This huge red thing, with sanded down horns, full of sarcasm and pining away for Liz, while doing his part to save the world and being a rebellious guy at the same time. I love the scene where he's bearing his soul to the little boy on the rooftop, too funny. Some sad stuff in it too, but thats what lends Hellboy some humanity, in spite of his origins.
ReplyDeleteHellboy is not your typical pretty boy superhero, he belongs in the same category as The Hulk instead of Superman, but he serves as an example of not judging a book by it's cover. He is a wisecracking superhero who was born (created?) to destroy the earth. But because he was raised by Prof. Broom he spends his time saving the earth and pining for Liz. (My favorite line in the movie might just be "Red, white, guys are all the same") Of course he does complain about it which is part of his charm.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is alot of fun and keeps a pretty good pace. I like the cartoony elements that director Del Toro put in, such as HB and the kid on the rooftop peeking over the edge after HB hit Meyers with a rock and HB trying to outrun the destruction of the rock bridge.
Like Sunflower Runner mentioned, there is some sad stuff in it which adds to the hero's journey that HB is on. I like how by the end of the movie the relationship between HB and Manny had started to change. They still don't like each other but they finally start to respect what the other brings to the table.
Two thumbs up!
First off let me say that yes, I like this movie. That said, I don't remember it being so long - or maybe I am looking back fondly at a movie that wasn't so good after all.
ReplyDeleteI still like it, just not as much as I thought I did. The bits of comedy and exploring the human condition (even tho our hero isnt human) is what gives this movie its charm. Hellboys affection for Liz, and the jealousy that follows is pretty funny/cute to watch. Cute...did I just use cute in a sentence? Ugh...
Anyway, good movie though not at good as I remembered, and certainly felt longer than I remembered.
One thumb up, but doesnt make it on my list.