Hellboy II: The Golden Army - special effects only
Hell Boy II: The Golden Army is an intriguing movie. But this does not mean it is a good movie.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, which won three Oscars and was nominated for a further three was hailed by critics as a masterpiece. The grisly and grim reality of life under Franco’s fascist Spain was shown in contrast to a fantasy world created by a young girl. While the spectacular special effects were integral in portraying this fantasy world, they didn’t divert attention. Rather, they played a role in furthering the story.
Hellboy II is the opposite.
A truce between the human and mythical world is under threat when Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) decides it’s time to take the Earth back into the power of his people. He kills his father, who doesn’t agree with his plot, and goes in search for his sister, Prince Nuala (Anna Walton), who has the missing piece of a crown that will allow her brother to rule the Golden Army. The Golden Army has the power to wipe out the humans if they fall under the control of the elf prince.
In the meantime, Hellboy (Ron Perlman), also a mythical creature but on the human’s side, is living in a secret location, ready to protect the world when required. He is having relationship problems with his girlfriend (Selma Blair), Liz, who literally gets fired up when she’s angry. The couple, and their buddy Abe Sapien (Doug Jones, who also plays The Chamberlain and The Angel of Death) are made aware of Prince Nuada’s plans. Under the instruction of Johann Krauss (John Alexander), they go on a mission to stop the world from being destroyed.
There is also a sub-plot about Hellboy and co. being hated by humans and society (which is quite baffling, considering the arrogant humans had just been saved from a painful end), but it’s quickly washed over in favour of the special effects.
This may sound simple enough, but that’s where the problem lies. The above is the general overriding story, but every plot point and sub-plot that brings the film to the inevitable finale feels disjointed. The characters are placed in these highly impressive fantasy sets, filled with very believable and inventive CG and some impressive puppetry. While not as convoluted as, say, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, one is often left to ponder how the characters actually arrived at particular situations and locations.
For special effects and mindless entertainment, the film is well worth it. Some of the dialogue is slightly corny, but Hellboy himself does deliver some amusing one-liners in the face of danger.
Currently in the works for Guillermo is The Hobbit which is due in 2011. Let’s hope he retains Tolkien’s original story, while adding his own unique flair for amazing visuals.
Video from Universal
