Take a good look at this “Hellboy” sequel
Move over, Hancock. You too, Incredible Hulk. There’s a new superhero in town.
Hellboy is back in “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” a thoroughly entertaining mix of high fantasy and humor that blows the competition out of the water.
There’s so much crammed into this heavenly sequel that it’d be a shame to give it all away. So here’s my brief, hopefully spoiler-free take on “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”
THE BIG GUYS: Just like the first “Hellboy” movie, this sequel bears the hallmarks of director Guillermo Del Toro’s fanboy fervor and “Hellboy” comix creator Mike Mignola’s fertile imagination. It’s not “Lawrence of Arabia,” but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
THE CAST: Could there be a better Hellboy? Ron Perlman again dons several square feet of latex to play Hellboy, the hard-hitting, cigar-chomping demon who loves kittens and light beer. Perlman captures Big Red’s working man vibe perfectly. He’s an average Joe, a blue-collar hero who just happens to sport a tail and sanded-down horns.
Meanwhile, Doug Jones –who did double duty as the Faun and the Pale Man in “Pan’s Labyrinth” — is priceless as Hellboy’s amphibious pal, Abraham Sapien.
THE CREATURES: Del Toro’s love of monsters apparently knows no bounds. There are golden-haired elves and brutal trolls, ancient gods and cute-but-deadly tooth fairies. Not to mention a ectoplasmic dude in a old-school robo-suit. Perhaps the most stunning creature is the terrifyingly beautiful Angel of Death, whose massive wings are studded with unblinking amber eyes.
THE SETS: Speaking of creatures, I could spend hours exploring every nook and cranny of the elaborate, exotic Troll Market under the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the market, much of “Hellboy II” — BPRD headquarters, downtown Manhattan, the hall of the Golden Army — invites loving scrutiny.
THE FIGHTS: Don’t worry, kids. Hellboy’s stone Hand of Doom delivers yet another bone-crushing battle royale. Bashing, smashing, swordplay, gunfire — it’s all here.
THE FX: Unlike some obsessed with computer-generated gimcrackery, Del Toro is one of a few Hollywood directors - Jon Favreau of “Iron Man” being another - who does things the old fashioned way. The team behind “Hellboy II” uses makeup, prosthetics, wire-work and other tricks to create special effects more stunning and realistic than much of the CGI competiton.
THE MUSHY STUFF: Two love stories and a friendship are at stake here, although I won’t say whose. Suffice it to say that “Hellboy II” mixes its darker, more dramatic moments with a light, funny touch.
THE CAMEO: Your ears do not deceive you. The voice of bossy German know-it-all Johann Krauss is indeed provided by Seth MacFarlane, creator of “Family Guy” and “American Dad.”
