Hellboy II: The Golden Army

[The Xenos]

I've read every single Hellboy and BPRD comics there is and Movie Johann was DEFINITELY over the top in a way comic Johann never has. Hell, every character, at some point and at some degree was made into a buffoon.

It's a very good movie. Visual wise, it's probably the best movie of the year.
But as a Hellboy adaptation, it's still crap. Which is sad, because on paper, Guillermo is the best director there could be for this franchise. Why he chose to make a mess of it I will never understand.

I think that's a good criticism. At times at least. There were some subtle moments, but then there were moments when plot and characterization was just hammered over your head. Not that it was too bad, but it didn't seem to have the grace of either the Hellboy comics or DelToro's other films. It was too Hollywood. Though maybe DelToro was trying to appeal to the masses while tossing fans bits here and there.

[andy khouri]

FOILING RED: Goss & Walton talk "Hellboy II"

CBR speaks to Luke Goss and Anna Walton about their roles as the Elven siblings Prince Nuada and Princess Nuala in “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” their extensive fight training, and what it’s like working with director Guillermo del Toro.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17197

[G. Wayne]

My second favorite movie of the year, next to Iron Man. I loved the campy aspect of the movie, the visuals, and the action. spoilers:

Liz having twins was unexpected,

end of spoilers but we'll see where that goes..

McFarlane was a little over the top as Krauss, but I got a kick out of him anyway. spoilers:

I haven't read any BPRD only stuff, but reactions seem to point that comic Krauss really isn't like movie Krauss.

end of spoilers

I can understand the complaint, though I don't really agree with it being such a bad thing, that the movie is heavier on Pan's Labyrinth style imagery over Mignola's work on the books, but...eh, I can live with it. Seems like Del Toro's success is what got the movie made to begin with.

I only have a minor complaint about the movie, that as far as combat goes, Prince Nuada is pretty much movie Kroenen version 2.0. Another fancy sword flippy wire-fu guy for Hellboy to fight. Now I'm a big fan of fancy sword flippy guys, but still, would have been nice to have an opponent with a significantly more different style this time around.

[Ontir]

A walking gas bag that might've been voiced by Artie Johnson? No, that's not the Johann of the books! The more I think about this film, the more I hate it.

[K'Nort]

On the other hand, the Johann of the books has turned into such a jerk that I didn't really care that they changed him.

[Toku King]

but it's no "Superman Returns," either!

Thank god for that. "Returns" was horrible.

[Jamal]

I'm not understanding why people are so mad about the characterization in the movie. Magnola has stated over and over again that the movies/animation/books are alternate realties of the Hellboy universe and little to nothing to do with the comics. I think this is a smart way to protect the integrity of the comic and keep the core Hellboy fans happy while giving the directors/writers the freedom they need so they won't get bogged down by the books continuity.

I think a lot of the campiness was more to please the hollywood suits and get more funding for next part three. I thought they pulled it off without it becoming to silly.

[drwho]

Liked this movie a lot much better than Hancock.

[Nosgoth Phantom]

It's at 88% on rottentomatoes. That's surprisingly more than Batman Begins got, and I loved Batman Begins.

I thought the film was great and had a lot of heart.

[smartalek]

Spoiler
I'm not a baby, I'm a tumour!

[Wannabe]

My second favorite movie of the year, next to Iron Man. I loved the campy aspect of the movie, the visuals, and the action. spoilers:

Liz having twins was unexpected,

end of spoilers but we'll see where that goes.

That reminds me, this film probably has my favorite ending of almost any movie I can remember. When she tells him, and it just cuts to that reaction shot, I was laughing, so hard.

[Tanjint]

this movie was frickin' funny.

i've only read the first two hellboy trades and i like them alot, and I do like them more than the movie but I really like the movies too.

I wish Hellboy would be a little less selfish and of less words as he is in the books but the way his character is in the films is still cool.


-T