On Screen / Linda Cook

'Hellboy' sequel is red hot

By Linda Cook | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | () comments

Universal Pictures Selma Blair, left, and Ron Perlman are star in “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.” (Contributed Photo)

"Hell boy"

Running time: One hour and 50 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for violence and foul language

Is this fun? Hellboy, yeah!

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is even more entertaining than its predecessor. Director/ screenwriter Guillermo del Toro, who helmed the first show as well as the superlative “Pan’s Labyrinth,” has created a visual feast of characters that rival the cantina scene in “Star Wars” for attention-grabbing appearances.

I’m not sure I’d start my “Hellboy” experience here if I were a newcomer. It would be wise first to pick up one of the illustrated novels by Mike Mignola and then see the first “Hellboy.” It’s not absolutely necessary, mind you, but it would be wise.

There’s a bit of an origins sequence at the beginning of this movie when we see the young Hellboy being tucked into bed on Christmas Eve. Hellboy, as you may know, is a red-skinned, horned, betailed behemoth who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.

Hellboy’s nickname is Red, and he’s beautifully played as an adult by Ron Perlman. Red is in love with Liz (Selma Blair), a superheroine who can use her flames for a variety of tasks. Their partner and friend is Abe Sapien (Doug Jones).

When a mass murder occurs during a high-society auction, the troop is dispatched to the scene to find the villain and figure out why a particular item is so highly prized. Joining the team for the first time is Johann Kraus (James Donn), who’s pretty much a collection of vapor held together in a hissing, steampunkian (space doesn’t permit us to define the term here) diving suit sort of apparatus.

The bad guy is Prince Nuada (Luke Gross), who wants to complete the entire configuration of a crown that will make him the master of the Golden Army, which has the capability of destroying humans. Nuada has a twin, Nuala (Ann Walton), who does not want her brother to wreak havoc on the world. She takes the third piece of the crown with her when she seeks help from Red and the crew.

If you have seen “Pan’s Labyrinth” (and if you’re an adult who enjoys the fantastic, you definitely should), you’ll be reminded of del Toro’s earlier movie. I won’t even bother to try to describe the creatures who inhabit this film. You’ll just have to see them for yourself, especially the denizens of the Trolls’ Market.

The screenplay is entertaining, even with a couple of plot holes. This is another great superhero adventure that’s bound to be a big red franchise for years to come.