I saw a preview screening tonight. It's one of the best films of the Summer. Funny, exciting, heartfelt, and with an idea or two underlying the surface which are handled deftly. Also, best use of Barry Manilow ever.
I think it's also proof of why you don't need to spend tens of millions on photorealistic CGI in order to make a great looking film. The guys in prosthetics and makeup standing there have more reality to them than most CGI creations. Considering the designs are universally excellent and Del Toro encourages acting and individuality in his creations, it really sells it and coaxes the audience into using its own imagination.
Hellboy and Abe getting drunk and Liz and the Angel of Death are two of the best scenes of the year in any movie. There's really no bad scenes, although the latter half of the movie probably spends a little too much time on action.
I think it's also proof of why you don't need to spend tens of millions on photorealistic CGI in order to make a great looking film. The guys in prosthetics and makeup standing there have more reality to them than most CGI creations. Considering the designs are universally excellent and Del Toro encourages acting and individuality in his creations, it really sells it and coaxes the audience into using its own imagination.
Hellboy and Abe getting drunk and Liz and the Angel of Death are two of the best scenes of the year in any movie. There's really no bad scenes, although the latter half of the movie probably spends a little too much time on action.
In fact, i'm annoyed that she's the only major one who didn't get an figure out of this.
Same goes for Jones in his performance as Abe. I really love Abe and I do wish they would give him more to do than to solve mysteries Velma style from Scooby Doo. He was in a quick fight sequence but it didn't last. The new addition to the team, Krauss, voiced by MacFarlane is absolutely wonderful. MacFarlane does a spot on job and fits in pitch perfect with the team. But that leads to Liz...poor Liz. Take akward Liz from the first movie, give her a little self esteem from a bad haircut and add a huge plot twist in her and you get even more akward Liz. Selma Blair is georgeous but she just doesn't fit in and her emotional scenes aren't too emotional. She is just not as emo as a suitable Liz would be. Del Toro does a fantastic job with the action and certainly the plethora of creatures that run about in this film. However, it was a bit too much to digest all at once. The story was great but too many odd monsters here and there was just too much. It seemed like there were at least 100 different monster races and not any 2 were the same except the siblings Nuada and Nuala. Which brings me to my next point: Nuada played by Luke Goss was very menacing and his henchman Wink was also top notch. I just wish Wink would have been in some more of the film as [BLACKOUT]Hellboy destroys him halfway through the film...or rather he gets caught in the grind
I love her and [BLACKOUT]Abe's[/BLACKOUT]dynamic, turning him into a loveless fool. The final action sequence is wonderfully choreographed and even Krauss gets in on the fighting
t: The Golden Army was a big feat in the CGI department but they did an overall modestly good job. My biggest plot complaint is [BLACKOUT]Hellboy's looming death[/BLACKOUT]It is rather quick and the manner in which it is reversed is rather quick and just another excuse to show a cool Del Toro creature. Selma Blair also didn't handle the emotional aspect of it too well and she wasn't that convincing.
