Hellboy II: The Golden Army

"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" feels like Guillermo del Toro's first true sequel even though technically it isn't.  That would be 'Blade II', the second entry in the popular vampire slayer series starring Wesley Snipes.  Though that film was one of the better comic book sequels of recent years, it felt like a party that del Toro was invited to, not one he hosted himself.  The man's best work comes from original material he's developed and though 'Hellboy' may have been the brainchild of comic artist Mike Mignola, the first feature was one of the best collaborations in the medium. 

As entertaining as I found the first 'Hellboy', it didn't feel to me like the film del Toro really wanted to make.  He took a rather handsome budget and made it look like a more elaborate and expensive production, but it seemed like we were seeing only the tip of a very large iceberg.  Whatever the circumstances involving Columbia Pictures declining a sequel and Universal Studios stepping up to the plate, the change of venue was a blessing in disguise.  Not only has del Toro made an truly exciting and entertaining movie with 'Hellboy II', but it feels like his very essence is ingrained in the material.  For the first Hellboy, del Toro showed us a large and imposing door.  It was colorful, mysterious and even appeared to look a little dangerous.  With 'Hellboy II' we not only get to see what that door is made of, but del Toro takes us into the world beyond it.

For this second outing, the story is much more engaging and simple to follow.  Veteran actor Ron Perlman returns to the role he was born to play as the kitten loving demon slaying son of the devil who works for a secret government bureau that happens to reside in New Jersey.  This time out Hellboy is a little more comfortable in his own skin, but his teenage behavior manages to get under that of girlfriend and pyrokinetic partner Liz Sherman (Selma Blair).  He's irresponsible, reckless and yes, still a slob and even though Liz loves him completely, she's at her wits' end.  Keeping the peace is the Big Red One's best friend, aquatic mutant empath Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) who not only sides with both, but has to defend Hellboy to their boss Manning (Jeffrey Tambor), the head of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.  Hellboy not only has no respect for authority or protocol, but can't seem to keep a low profile.  How can Manning cover up the various photo glimpses of Hellboy taken in action when he sometimes stops to pose?

A threat soon arises from a parallel world that mankind has shared a truce with for thousands of years. Once upon a time the greed of man brought forth a feud with the great King Balor (Roy Dotrice) ruler of Bethmoora, home of the elves, trolls and goblins.  To gain the upper hand, Balor commissioned to creation of an unstoppable force known as the Golden Army which nearly destroyed both sides.  The great King's despair led to a truce with mankind and the Army was deactivated and locked away forever.  Unfortunately Balor's son Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) never agreed with his father's decision and after living for centuries in exile has returned to pick up the pieces. 

Fearing that man can never be trusted and will eventually bring forth greater destruction, Nuada seeks to reawaken the Golden Army by uniting the broken fragments of the magical crown that controls it.  When Hellboy, Liz and Abe investigate an attack on humans by the Prince, they find an unlikely ally in his twin sister Princess Nuala (Ana Walton), who seeks to maintain the peace her father established.  Nuala not only shares a spiritual and physical connection with her brother, but surprisingly develops and emotional one with good ole boy Abe.  Though Big Red is ready for anything he may not be prepared for Nuada's skills as a combatant or some certain big news the Liz has in store for him.

'Hellboy II' is steps above the original film in quite a number of ways.  They say a film is only as good as its villain and one of the most welcome elements is the character of Luke Goss' Prince Nuada.  Gone are the Nazi Satan worshiping fanatics who were two-dimensional and sadly seemed to pose little threat in the original film.  Goss who appeared as another sympathetic antagonist in 'Blade II', plays a fully realized adversary who isn't really a villain.  Sure Nuada is a pure badass skilled in combat, has a rocking  Nelson Twins look and speaks like a Shakespearean actor, but what makes him identifiable is that much of what he speaks is true.  Human beings have become selfish, cold and hollow over time and may pose a threat to Nuada's kind as well as themselves.  Nuada doesn't see his actions as evil and passionately believes what he is doing is right and that gives his character dimension.

There is greater dramatic weight given to Hellboy's struggle to fit in and the fact that he and Nuada are two sides of the same coin.  Despite being raised by humans and continually defending them, even Hellboy must consider whether or not they truly deserve to be saved.  His existence is becoming more publicly known and the fear and antagonism that humans show towards him only strengthen Nuada's philosophy.  On top of that, the love of a good woman like Liz may not be enough to prevent Hellboy's prophesied destruction of mankind. 

Though 'Hellboy II' is an action adventure with dramatic elements, the humor is more natural than the first outing and doesn't feel forced like when our hero "stalked" Liz on her date with rookie Myers.  Abe and Princess Nuala connect on a spiritual as well as intellectual level, but he also gets as giddy as a schoolboy over the concept of love and when the Barry Manilow rendition of "Can't Smile Without You" comes into play, it's initially cringe inducing, but gradually hilarity ensues.  Even as the gag is repeated it manages to get funnier and funnier. 

There is one small tidbit of a problem I had with the plot and it involves Abe's fear of Nuada harming his sister when its proven early on that whatever pain or injury she is subjected to he experiences just as equally.

The most humorous element of the film is the addition of Johann Strauss, a BPRD officer and psychic composed of ectoplasm sent to reign Hellboy in.  As a man literally composed of gas living inside of a suit with only a glass dome for a head, Johann could have been just a walking gag, but his disciplinary interaction with Hellboy as well as some wonderful vocal work from 'Family Guy' creator Seth MacFarlane not only make him a memorable character, but one that I would like to see more of in the future.

Only Perlman could expertly project Hellboy's wry sense of humor and he does so masterfully.  Whether it be ticking off his girlfriend, punching out a troll, disguised as an old lady, or taunting Johann to the point where he's forced to whip Hellboy's butt, Perlman is all aces and carries much of the film.  Hellboy is even given a more heroic theme than the bland and dour score Marco Beltrami composed in the original.  Danny Elfman provides not just an exciting score, but one that is at times magical and even a bit playful. 

Blair is given a meatier role this time and its interesting to see her character walking the edge between using her power for good and becoming a slave to it like a drug.  The return of her "You should be running" line when she burns bright says a lot.  She's also faced with a great choice involving Hellboy's future that can not only affect the fate of the series, but the entire human race.  David Hyde Pierce did fantastic vocal work in the original, but the soul of Abe Sapien has always belonged to the great physical talent known as Doug Jones who this time rightfully provides his voice as well.  Returning to the role, he gives this enigmatic creature more heart and soul than any voice actor could.

Del Toro's visual f/x budget appears to be more elaborate than the original, bringing us into fantastic worlds that include the dimensional pathway to the 'Troll Market' (by way of under the Brooklyn Bridge), a twenty story tall mythical tree creature and a series of elaborate portals that lead to the location of the Golden Army.  The Army themselves look like something Mignola must have dreamt up; their insect-like appearance recall giant beetles mixed with Japanese style armor.  Though the digital effects are impressive, the practical and physical make-up have greater dramatic impact.  There is great attention to detail involving the various creatures from Nuada's magical world of Bethmoora including Nuada's monstrous troll of a sidekick Mr. Wink and the enigmatic angel of death.


My favorite sequence is perhaps the least exciting, but involves a special appearance by Hellboy's adoptive father Professor Broom (a returning John Hurt) and his recount to young Red of the legend of the Golden Army, told in an epic flashback involving Howdy Doody and wooden puppets.

I've always had a stronger preference for Del Toro's dramatic excursions into the realm of horror, but for an action adventure popcorn movie, 'Hellboy II' goes above and beyond what's considered traditional for the genre.  It's a plus that the film is not a balls to the wall extravaganza, because the less is more approach makes it stand out from the rest.  The picture feels like a Saturday morning matinee serial, where there is no beginning and no end, just another chapter from a world that I look forward to visiting again some time soon.  It will be interesting to see in the next film what themes Del Toro will touch upon and where he will take his characters and us.  Unlike the first feature, this picture feels more comfortable in its own skin and as Del Toro continues to evolve and branch out as a filmmaker and risk taker it's nice to know he's growing more comfortable in his.