Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Full Version)

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Empire Admin -> Hellboy II: The Golden Army (5/8/2008 11:23:19 PM)

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brucechimp -> not as good as the first film (5/8/2008 11:23:19 PM)

I saw Hellboy 2: The Golden Army tonight. It was ok. I wanted badly to love it, but I merely liked it. Decent, yet strangely lacking.

I admit I am a HUGE fan of the comics (including BPRD etc). It's the only comic I still read on a regular basis and I love it to pieces. So with that in mind there's no way I can be truly objective about it. It was a decent film but wasn't nearly as good as the first movie. The first one had the right mix of being faithful to the comic, offset against the right amount of exposition for the novice (hello Agent Myers). Golden Army was pure Del Toro. I was surprised at how much Mignola still seemed to be involved in this one considering how little it resembled anything to do with the comic.

Another thing I really loved about the first Hellboy was the soundtrack/main theme, which seems to have been jettisoned this time around.

Not to be all doom & gloom about it - it was absolutely worth going to see. Some of it was really good. Other stuff less so.

Basically it was like getting a vegetarian meal when you asked for the vegan option - it's mostly ok, some if it is pretty good, but ultimately it's not really what I wanted.



Spider -> RE: not as good as the first film (6/8/2008 12:26:30 AM)

I've never seen the first Hellboy and never read the comics, so I came into Hellboy II completely fresh, although to be fair I was pre-disposed to like it being a huge fan of Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. I have to say though, as an introduction to the whole world and characters as well as an exciting film I found this a real success. The sheer imagination at work here is stunning and some of the creations here are beautiful (one tracking shot of the Golden Army is simply sublime), and whilst I can see that it might be argued that sometimes the ambition gets in the way of the plot, I never found this too much of a problem. The film is flawed, the plot is pretty insubstantial and the film managed to feel both rushed and dragging at various points, but it is always pulled through by the likeable characters and great action sequences.

A final word, leaving the cinema to I Can't Smile Without You was one of the most bizarrely uplifting endings to a film I've ever experienced!



Acho -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 1:03:45 AM)

I really quite liked Hellboy II. Having only seen the first one once, ages ago, and never having read any of the comics, I'm not particularly invested in the whole Hellboy world. That said, there was plenty to entertain, amuse and engage in this sequel.

With the team of Hellboy, Liz and Abe having been established in the first film, here we can witness the development of Red and Liz's relationship, the struggle they face with the double-edge sword of public attention and the addition of new characters to the BPRD (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development). We are introduced to Johann Kraus, ectoplasm in a suit, with a German accent - yes, he is as amusing as that sounds.

The humour throughout the film is one of the most noticeable aspects. There are wry smiles, chuckles and belly laughs to be had. The look and film of the film is incredible to, with Doug Jones (Abe, Angel of Death, Chamberlain) and Brian Steele (Wink, Cathedral Head, many others) doing great work. The strong use of physical effects is to the benefit of the film, as they add a texture that CGI can often struggle to achieve. The special effects and creature work is stunning, with the troll market scene in particular offering so many visual delights that at least one more viewing would be required to take it all in (the tumour baby is a particular delight!). Is it to Del Toro's credit that the film manages to look original, yet have a familiar, signature feel to it.

On a personal note, the quick glimpse of a map of Ireland produced a funny reaction in the audience I was in: one part "oh my god we're in the film, deadly!!", one part "please lord let no one attempt the accent!". [:D]

Hellboy II may not bowl you over completely, but it is recommended viewing. The laughs, the astonishing creatures and big Red himself bring you along for the ride.




Hemlock -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 8:29:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Acho

On a personal note, the quick glimpse of a map of Ireland produced a funny reaction in the audience I was in: one part "oh my god we're in the film, deadly!!", one part "please lord let no one attempt the accent!". [:D]



Acho I heard similar comments in the Odeon in Belfast. [:D]
I liked the tooth fairy twist.
shr2 of excellent escapism.



skeletonjack -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 9:54:37 AM)

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, having felt the first movie was just "ok". This, for the whole, was pure escapist fantasy, with great creatures and brimming with invention. This for me has been the biggest surprise of the summer (Dark Knight wasn't a surprise as we just KNEW that would be awesome). Roll on The Hobbit....... 4 Stars



adambatman82 -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 2:06:07 PM)

i too saw this last night at one of the previews. im a big fan of del toro's work, but have to admit that in the past, especially with his american work, the plot hasnt really worked for me. hellboy 2 carried no such problems tho, it was amazing escapism entertainment, resurrecting memories of ghostbusters of all things. johann kraus was an amazing addition, with possibly the most amusing accent since dr strangelove! and the musical number half way thru made me smile a ridiculous amount, as well to the musical cue at the end! i hope we do see a third part eventually, especially after our glimpse at hellboy's destiny.



Larry of Arabia -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 2:33:03 PM)

Saw this at the preview last night as well, thought it wa really good. I don't think I've been able to be so absorbed with a film this year (undesireables ruined my first TDK viewing), the creativity that was on show was amazing. There was a good mix of action and humour - the troll market with the tumour baby, the Scottish troll lady, Hellboy posing for snapshots all got good laughs, and the drunken duet by Hellboy and Abe on the Barry Manilow number got everyone in stitches. Perlman did an exceptional job as Hellboy, although I did miss David Hyde Pierce's dulcet tones as Abe Sapien as Doug Jones took over for this film. A special mention to Seth McFarlane as Johann Krauss as well, he had some really funny lines and was a nice addition to the team. Del Toro's use of prosthetics really did make the difference, some of the characters were just exceptional (Mr. Wink and the tumour baby's host in particular, I thought), but that's not to say the CG characters were lacking. The forest god was really impressive, more so that the trailers would have you think. In all, a really good film, glad I took the opportunity to see it so early.



simonmckergan1 -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 3:22:48 PM)

Well I thought this was great and I didn't expect it to be so darn funny.  Stand out  scene (minor spolier)..............involves Hellboy vs locker doors!  Loved the Northern Irish element too, which raised a lot of laughs in the cinema in Belfast last night.  I'd give this 8.5 out of 10 (Excellent).  A big improvement over the first film too.



Scabby -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 4:08:18 PM)

Quick comment: I saw it today as well and thought it was okay. I really enjoyed all the creature effects as they really made it feel real but overall, unlike above, I found I couldn't connect with the characters and Hellboy and Liz had no chemistry. I mean watch through the film they don't kiss once. Overall its decent enough, good action, funny in places but overall a bit empty.



darth silas -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 4:19:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Scabby

Quick comment: I saw it today as well and thought it was okay. I really enjoyed all the creature effects as they really made it feel real but overall, unlike above, I found I couldn't connect with the characters and Hellboy and Liz had no chemistry. I mean watch through the film they don't kiss once. Overall its decent enough, good action, funny in places but overall a bit empty.

Sounds like its the same as the first one so.Ok,but nothing special. 



Acho -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 4:44:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Scabby
Hellboy and Liz had no chemistry. I mean watch through the film they don't kiss once.

I noticed that too actually. I didn't think it contributed to a lack of chemistry though, there is a definite tenderness to their interations. Rather I felt it a tacit admission of the physical difficulties their relationship encounters! [:D]



andy399 -> Hellboy 2. Film of the year. (6/8/2008 9:11:22 PM)

hThis film manages to beat it's brilliant predecessor, and matches Pan's labrinth in terms of quality. A must see for all movie goers, and is top contender for film of the year so far, along with The Dark Knight and La Antena



demoncleaner -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 9:13:20 PM)

I caught a screening of this last night and I'm in agreement with most of the posters above.  It should be a very, very pleasing package.  Great characters, lavish sets, strong set-pieces and a script that develops nicely on the "human” touches.  Why is it a tad dull then?

I think where it falls down is in the plot, which is simplistic to a fault.  This is forgivable and expertly camouflaged in the first two thirds with punctuating moments of action but the mask falls away in the final act which is more begrudging rendezvous than break-neck end of chase.   There are some great cast additions along the way, Luke Goss is excellent as Prince Nuada and on the good guy side of the fence there's Johan Krauss who Seth McFarlane has a ball voicing.  He tests the teutonic accent and clipped stereotype to destruction but with a movie as wilfully full-on as Hellboy this is more than apt.       Nuada is also a problem.  But not in a bad way.  Perversely, I found him too likeable, too dignified, too…princely and a lot of the tension is taken out of it when you don't have a real hate figure that the first film had at least on 3 fronts.

The best thing about this movie is Del Toro who directs with unreserved flair.  No matter what you think of Hellboy II, I think everyone will come away from this at the very least with an incontinent anticipation for The Hobbit.

3.5/5



KnightofZyryab -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (6/8/2008 10:41:44 PM)

I saw the advance screen yesterday like evveryone else and it is a definite improvement over Hellboy, if not a little underwhelming. Still, it's worth seeing singly for Del Toro's imagination and gothic vision, the monster designs are twisted and beautiful, and some of the black humour couldn't be attributed to anyone else - namely the tumour correcting Hellboy that it isn't a baby at all. Perlman is great, and so is voice maestro Seth Macfarlane as Johann Krauss, a brilliant addition to the Hellboy universe. All in all an entertaining and at times endearing film most commendable for the visualisation of Guillermo del Toro.



mackey -> RE: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (7/8/2008 5:46:15 PM)

I would agree with everyone's comments about feeling somewhat underwhelmed.  It was funny, had excellent effects, created a very detailed fantasy world but it just failed to really grab me.  I would have to say that, like the first Hellboy film, I thought this was just 'ok'.



VincentHanna -> Fantastically enjoyable. (12/8/2008 9:01:38 PM)

So glad I saw this on the recent previews.
A marked improvement over the first film.
Still a little disjointed in places but a lot funnier than I expected and the creatures actually border on beautiful.



Pinkvelvet -> RE: Fantastically enjoyable. (17/8/2008 8:01:58 PM)

I was disappointed after watching this, I had been expecting, I don't know just more.  Hellboy was the surprise hit of the year whenit came out, I was decidedly unimpressed and only saw it becuase my son wanted to see it, and ended up coming out of there loving it and very impressed.   The film does have some great moments, the drunken duet really stands out, but I didn't feel it compared to the first one.

Well worth seeing, and bring on The Hobbit but I wish it had fulfilled what I was expecting.



Tank Boy -> RE: Fantastically enjoyable. (17/8/2008 8:59:08 PM)

The Sunday Times Cosmo Landesman, who slated The Dark Knight, gave it 4/5, as did The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw:

The Sunday Times review.

The Guardian review.



sunnygirly2k4 -> Visually beautiful but I found it disappointing with it's soap-opera relationships and doesn't deliver it's potential. (18/8/2008 4:11:05 AM)

I saw a preview screening for this at Vue and it's not as funny as it thinks it's is, with a lot of one-liners not eliciting laughs from my audience nor getting a real emotional connection when main characters' lives were in danger, it just felt like it could've been so much more. The climax too felt generic and resolved too conveniently and predictably and as aforementioned, the full power of the Golden Army felt on our world would've been cool to see, and it ended like a soap in my opinion. Although it probably has more action than the first, I don't think it's a better sequel. Visuals in my view, don't make a film a masterpiece if it doesn't have enough inventiveness or even takes the time to delve deeper into a characters' conscience and morals. Shame really.



Mooncalf -> Fantastically Enjoyable? Hell Yeah! (18/8/2008 6:11:18 AM)

(Apologies in advance if this ends up double posted, I seem to be having problems getting it to post. Anyway...)
Saw an advanced screening and loved it - this is the kind of film that made me fall in love with films as a kid. The world created here recalls Clash of the Titans or Jason and the Argonauts (films that as I kid I always speculated, if you could leave the narrative of the film and explore around, what other wonders you would find) it is a tip of the iceberg place that screams of a deeper hidden world expanding further and wider than the cameras frame.
Reading a few of the comments here I see it didn't resonate so much for some people, and one reason might be that there isn't really much of a human hook in this movie - agent Myers from film one is gone and other human characters are quickly sidelined - this is about another world's inhabitants and sensibilities, not ours. However, as I've always found our world and our species pretty overrated, I loved that about it. For pure wonderment and fuel for the imagination it is incredible, but not everybody will find it a sympathetic film - it is pretty damning of human nature.
Although on a different level, I enjoyed it as much as Dark Knight - and my girlfriend enjoyed it a lot more; she grinned through most of it and declared that it was just what a film should be like at the end.
And just for the record, with a bit of time, distance, perspective and ability to compare to the other big movies of the Summer 'Crystal Skull' still sucks beyond belief - and no I will not let it go :) 



steveg66 -> (18/8/2008 9:35:50 AM)

Fantastic review. Hope it does enough business for a sequel that will fulfill and answer the questions raised in this one.



steveg66 -> (18/8/2008 9:35:53 AM)

Fantastic review. Hope it does enough business for a sequel that will fulfill and answer the questions raised in this one.



UTB -> RE: (18/8/2008 10:52:40 AM)

Excellent film, as good as the first (which I think was unfairly only given three stars). Very funny in places, but definitely not lighter in terms of fantasy or violence.

The only weak link is Selma Blair, who struggles a bit.

I can't wait for a third.



odddaze -> (18/8/2008 12:00:22 PM)

Better than the first film, I think I'd put this on par with Iron Man



lewismetcalfe -> Didn't work for me (18/8/2008 3:55:46 PM)

I saw HBII at a special preview in Manchester. Having already read the review in Empire I was quite excited and felt I was in for a treat. I wasn't. It was a total let down, which shouldn't have surprised me considering the first was nothing to cream oneself about. The humor is incredibly mild and the dialogue felt like it was written by a Beano writer with the brief to write for an audience 3 years older than what they're used to. The sets and general art direction were nice, but that counts for plop when the narrative is weaker than a soggy bourbon. My advice, don't bother! Or do bother but take a laser pen with you to flash in Hellboy's big face, it may generate some extra pleasure.



The Lensman -> (18/8/2008 4:57:00 PM)

i was expecting more of an ending - more epic.... and certainly compared to the first movie, i was expecting bigger.... but that didnt come about - dont get me wrong, i thought it was a good film, but as a whole it isnt better or worse than the first.



The Lensman -> (18/8/2008 5:17:52 PM)

i was expecting more of an ending - more epic.... and certainly compared to the first movie, i was expecting bigger.... but that didnt come about - dont get me wrong, i thought it was a good film, but as a whole it isnt better or worse than the first.



leroythemasochist -> good stuff (18/8/2008 9:04:02 PM)

loved the first one, looks good to me



Kittys_Gremlin -> (19/8/2008 9:58:53 AM)

Despite the amazing visuals & a wonderful bad guy, the film was a little bit too mashed together. The storyline wasn't fantastic & the script was poor. I'd love to see a Directors cut where hopefully some of the brilliant creatures get more screen time & development but until then I can't see it topping the first one, never mind Del Toro's other work!



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