Update: You can now read about Hellboy on Blu-ray.
Director and screenwriter Guillermo Del Toro spearheaded the initial cinematic adaptation of cartoonist Mike Mignola’s creation, Hellboy, released in 2004. Ron Perlman starred as the titular hell-spawn, with John Hurt portraying his surrogate father, Professor Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm. Hellboy achieved considerable success, leading to the 2008 sequel, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. The sequel introduced additional characters and hinted at Hellboy’s impending fatherhood. Subsequently, the franchise entered a period of dormancy. While rumors circulated regarding potential development of a third Hellboy film, progress stalled. Eventually, Hollywood opted for a reboot, as is common practice.
Hellboy (David Harbour, known for his role in Netflix’s Stranger Things) is recruited by a clandestine British organization of monster hunters to address a significant threat. This threat manifests as three giants wreaking havoc, who must be stopped before reaching densely populated areas. However, Hellboy soon discovers that the situation is more complex than initially perceived. He confronts Nimue, The Blood Queen (Milla Jovovich), initiating a large-scale conflict between humanity and supernatural forces, with Hellboy’s allegiance hanging in the balance. He has significant potential gains and losses on both sides of this conflict.
While David Harbour might not be the conventional choice for a seasoned action lead, his physical transformation is notable, presenting a particularly imposing Hellboy. The aesthetic is well-realized, and the film adopts a darker tone, befitting the character. Ian MacShane portrays Hellboy’s adoptive father, Professor Bruttenholm, and their interactions provide some of the film’s strongest moments. Following the success of Deadpool, studios have recognized the market for mature comic book adaptations. Consequently, Hellboy received an R-rating, restricting it to viewers 15 and older in Sweden. This higher age rating allows Hellboy to embrace a more aggressive and violent approach compared to its PG-13 predecessors, offering a distinct advantage.
Furthermore, the 2019 Hellboy demonstrates greater fidelity to Mike Mignola’s original comic book series. Del Toro’s prior adaptations featured characters with abilities and knowledge inconsistent with the source material, and the narrative lacked direct connections to specific comic book storylines. The humor remains effective, a strength shared between both film iterations, with this Hellboy contributing a significant share of the comedic lines.
The action sequences are adequate, though Guillermo Del Toro’s emphasis on practical effects is noticeably absent, replaced by extensive CGI. Hellboy (2019) relies heavily on computer-generated imagery, which can detract from the impact of the violence. While the film is directed by Neil Marshall, known for practical effects-driven films like Dog Soldiers and The Descent, the budget likely constrained the use of practical effects in Hellboy.
Milla Jovovich delivers a competent performance as the antagonist, Nimue, but her limited screen time is a drawback. The film suffers from a similar issue as Suicide Squad: an overly powerful villain, which reduces the conflict to a question of moral choices rather than a compelling showdown. The film’s conclusion is weaker, falling into familiar genre tropes. A specific transformation sequence involving a panther-like creature (avoiding spoilers) presents a continuity issue: the character inexplicably retains their clothing after reverting to human form. This detail seems incongruous in a film with restricted viewership, where nudity following such a transformation wouldn’t be entirely unexpected. Furthermore, the gratuitous use of profanity feels somewhat forced, resembling the behavior of someone newly exposed to such language.
In conclusion, I found Hellboy (2019) to be a surprisingly enjoyable experience. The acting and direction are generally strong, although the film’s quality diminishes somewhat towards the end. Despite these shortcomings, I recommend Hellboy for its undeniable entertainment value.
