Hellboy Animated [msgboarder] Reviews

[SpydaWeb]

Ahem. So, I just sat down to watch Sword of Storms tonight...

First off. Doug Jones has officially impressed me. I went in thinking Ron Perlman would be the usual standout voice actor on this, and he was, but Doug just owns the floor every time he speaks. Of all the characters in this. Doug (and Gilpin as Kate) stood out as really bringing their respective characters to life. Selma, not so much. Actually, I almost wish Sherman's voice was recast. That's how much I liked Selma's performance in this.

The other standouts in this show were the music by Drake and sound effects. Oh, the sound effects. I watched this on a booming sound system and a good sized plasma and boy was it rocking. Drakes score just elevated every scene, and I like how he wove in his own renditions of the live action music. Amazing effort.

The sound effects were also stellar. I really love the spider scene, as example. Oh, and the Kappa fight sequence rocks in everyway. Back to the Spiders. The queen's laugh in surround sound is just creepy and delicious. It sounds like she has multiple vocal cords. Kind of like that blue alien opera singer in Fifth Element or the similar alien on Galactica. Also, Hellboy's punches really have oomph. The japanese heads sequence is a great example of this.

The writing. Started off real shaky with, I thought some dialog scenes that didn't work. They felt thrown in. Pacing was off. It just felt wrong. This all changes once Hellboy picks up the sword and heads out on his adventure. It seems like the writing team was feeling more comfortable in their world. I really enjoyed the story by it's conclusion. Lots of great action. Kappa scene was super. Oh, and I love that the comics relationships were brought back into this. Abe/Liz, Kate/Hellboy. Good going Tad.

So, I loved this for the most part. Which brings me to my only real problem with this movie; besides Selma...the animation quality.

I was real excited when I first read that Madhouse was involved with this. They've done some of the best animation work - Memories, Gunslinger Girl, Animatrix, Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, the list goes on. I thought the Comicon footage was great, and that sequence looks even better in person, but Sword of Storms doesn't hold up that same quality overall. Animations from moment to moment feel uneven, Hellboy especially feels off many a time. For some reason the other characters look pretty good though.

Anyway, those were my gripes. I still loved the show overall and I certainly forgive much of my problems in hopes that it was just the learning curve. Hopefully the second movie will fix some of these little problems. Maybe not Selma, but I can wish.

So, I'm dying to read what everyone else thinks of the show. I think I'll go and play through the credits to hear Drakes score again.

Bravo Tad. Can't wait for the next installment.

[THE REAL kirk]

What?!

How did you manage to see this already, Spyda? Have you somehow managed to bend space and time to your will and send this post from the future? Is there a wormhole involved or some less scientific explanation that has to do with dark, arcane arts? Have you made some deal most foul with your very soul as payment? Dear Lord, man, how is such a thing possible?! Could it be your sole birthday wish has come to fruition?

Well, whatever the secret talents you posess, thanks for starting this thread that I am sure will soon be swelling with reviews and opinions by those of lesser abilities. I didn't read your recap yet as I am shying away from any possible spoilers (though I doubt you tossed any into the mix). But I shall once I've seen it.

[SpydaWeb]

No wormhole tech needed. Just mutual friends in high places.

[Lilitu]

Thanks for the anticipation Spyda! Hope that also the other ones can say theirs opinions concern to the film, because when they will transmit it, here(Rome) will be 3:30 a.m.! And then I cannot see it up to February. Then I care to know the opinions of everybody even if I suppose that they won't miss!Regards

[Sparky]

Is this gonna be the official review thread?

W00T! My TIVO's all set to record:

[kingzilla]

Just finished watching it and I thought it was great ! I agree it did start off a little shakey but it fell together real quick and kicked ass ! Cant wait till its available on DVD as well as the next installment. Nice work Tad and crew you guys nailed it !

Keith Hillson

[longbowhunter]

Loved it! It was the perfect mix of comic Hellboy and movie Hellboy. I really didnt expect it to be as creepy as it was...definitely put me in the Halloween spirit. And I was also impressed by Doug Jones...I REALLY liked DHP as Abes voice in the movie and was doubtful I would enjoy hearing it "recast"(even if Doug was the original choice for Abe) but he did a damn fine job. Its just a shame I'll have to wait till Feb. to see it again...it would be nice if CN would replay it a few times before now and then...I'd love to have it playing on Halloween night while I'm on Door Duty.

[Elegance Liberty]

Father Liberty and I enjoyed it. =]

And yes, Dougie is PERFECT as Abe. Seriously, he just... IS.

Mmmmh, this made me realize how much I've missed Hellboy in the last 2 years.

[Jon D.]

Ah man... I was nervious to hear Doug all day and man... he rocks!!! dude sounds perfect for Abe, it was such a great movie! great work guys!

i'm still geeking out about it! yee!

[gdeo]

Tad...Congratulations!!! This movie was FUN! I enjoyed every minute of it.Cannot wait to watch it again on my DVR,to catch the stuff I missed when I had to blink...The animation was great.The Music and sound effects were great.The story flowed .The performances were great.It was fun to hear Ron say the "Awww Crap!!" Doug was perfect.Selma and Peri did a great job too! Now I want it to be February..ARRRRGHH! Congrats again!!!Thanks for all the hard work.

[Angilas-Man]

Hmmmmm.... a few problems (and this is very suprising to me, I'm like the most positive person in message boarding). First off; the animation is definetely shakey. In close ups the charcter's faces should have more detail, and should show more emotion. The character designs are fine for the heroes, but for most other charcters they're far to simplified and cutesy in the Disney style. Oversimplification is the main complaint here.

Secondly; the writing. It could afford to be a bit more adult. The story seemed a bit simple with no flare of it's own. Kind of generic, with nothing grown up about it other then Hellboy's cursing (which I found very funny). With all the characters wandering around going through various action scenes in the middle of the film there doesn't seem to be any focus or driving point. Although I read on the blog that they were running short and had to add some stuff so that may very well be the cause there.

I'm defientely not one for mindless violence, (or cursing for that matter but Ron Pearlman says explitives beautifully) but the Hellboy universe requires it a bit more then this movie provides. There were moments where I thought the threat would seem much more dramatic if you saw people suffering; a few people falling into the crevaces created by the dragons, the possesed professor nailing that guy with the dumpster... things like that. Otherwise the end of the world doesn't seem like such a big deal. A bit more blood would be appropriate too. Hellboy doesn't end a fight without a little blood running down his face. I think the tone should be a bit more horror movie like (except with the heroes winning of corse), that little touch of sadness and melancholy makes the Hellboy comics click.

Also, the direction needs a bit of work. It seems a bit too televsion and not cinematic enough. It's a movie you know; it's an event!

Also, the acting on the non-main characters are kinda shakey too. I can't see why people are knocking Selma Blair. She did fine. Ron Pearlman and Doug Jones were absolutely fantastic (why the heck did GTD dubb Doug in the first movie?), and Gilpin did well too. She's perfect for Kate, hope to hear her more in another movie.

I suppose my favorite parts were the Kappa scene and the ending when the story found it's way and Hellboy beat the two antagonists (which reminded me of the fight with the Werewolf from the comics). There were a few great lines too. Especially with HB's curt comments.

...and the music was absoluetely fantastic! Seriously, the music was sooo cinematic sounding, and the incoportaion of HB's theme from the movie was a nice touch. The music and the main voice cast definetely need to be commended.

So yeah, just some constructive criticism, but it's just the first movie and I DID ENJOY IT (I'm not some sort of ball of negatiavism). I'm really looking forward to Blood and Iron because it's story is supposed to be kinda-sorta similar to Wake the Devil, and I think that miniseries had a very strong story and would work well cinematically (even if it's just the story itself with different charcters).


PS- This is a complete fan request with no basis on actually quality: Lobster Johnson... that's all that needs to be said.
:)

[Wolf Augustine]

Well, I didn't like it. Very little of the Mignola atmosphere. Wish the ASOH folks had helmed this one too. I was hoping for something a bit more stylized like Samurai Jack. Seemed too long, padded and meandering. The constant switching between storylines didn't work very well. Just when something got interesting with Hellboy we switch to Abe & Liz and vice versa.
The Del Toro movie skimped on the eerieness that makes Hellboy, well, Hellboy. Other than a few brief moments in the Japanese Heads sequence, this cartoon isn't eerie or atmospheric at all. It isn't terrible, but it isn't remarkable in any way at all -- and it should be. Given TV's vast audience, for many poor souls this will be their first exposure to our Big Red hero. What a shame really.

[Angilas-Man]

I liked how smart I felt when I knew a lot of the Japanese folklore stuff. Then I thought about how I shouldn't compliment myself and that I only knew about Kappa, Long Neck, and the umbrella by watching one of the old "Yokai Monsters" movies from the 60s.

[Lady Hellgirl]

Great job Tad!!!!

I loved it and I can't wait to get the DVD when it comes out! I really liked Hellboy's, Abe's, and Liz's one-liners. They rocked, totally fit, and were humorous.

Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into creating Hellboy Animated for us!

[Sparky]

Congrats Tad and team on a job well done! Unfortunately Cartoon Network had some time delay and TIVO didn't catch the opening credits, so I guess I'll never know who really directed it. :rolleyes:

I'll write up a more detailed review tomorrow (I took notes), but all in all, that was a lot of fun! Favorite part: Kate Corrigan (and Peri Gilpin). She needs her own show...Professor Corrigan's "Introduction To Monsters 101" or something.