Year: 2004
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Country: US
Language: English
A demon, raised from infancy after being conjured by and rescued from the Nazis, grows up to become a defender against the forces of darkness
Hellboy’s world of monsters and superheroes finds Guillermo Del Toro right at home. The idea, aligning perfectly with the director’s reoccurring themes, is a novel one: monsters investigating monsters. They world upon which they exist is a combination of practical and computer generated effects. Like always, Del Toro emphasis on raw makeup, prosthetic, and puppet work. Though it must have been hard for Pearlman, who sat in the makeup chair for 6-12 hours a day, it is a delight for his audience.
Every component of Hellboy was showered with great attention, from set-design to character models to...well, everything else. As a result it doesn't feel or look like any Hollywood picture made at the time, it has its own unique pulpy atmosphere. Pearlman must be thanked for his lively, seemingly effortless displays of emotional in otherwise restrictive suit. Doug Jones, who is used to playing the monster parts in Del Toro's pictures, also has to be thanked for putting on an impressive performance. His body language, which again is in a restrictive suit, emphasizes the outwardly essence of the character.
Through repeated viewings many new details emerge. After my third viewing I noticed how colors and backgrounds burst, and just how detailed the story was (the script was going to be my critique dammit!) Overall this is a very entertaining film with a surprising amount of heart and emotional depth. It's really difficult to find anything wrong with it.
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