(Published Sept. 14, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor
The quintessential heroic demon is back. Comic book characters Hellboy and his cohorts return to the big screen in the colorful action-fantasy flick “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”
Director-screenwriter Guillermo Del Toro also returns after the success of his universally lauded “Pan’s Labyrinth,” so it’s a given that people expect him to cut loose with surreal imagery and storytelling. Working within the parameters of a popcorn movie still allows him free rein and creativity, but it’s still pretty simple, story-wise.
“The Golden Army” introduces the villainy of Prince Nuada (Luke Goss), an untrusting elflike being who detests mankind’s reign on Earth. He gathers fragments of an object that will control the mighty Golden Army, artificial beings capable of subjugating humankind.
But the prince underestimates the threat of the super-powered good guys, namely Hellboy (Ron Perlman), the pyrokinetic Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), the amphibious Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) and the gaseous specter Johann Krauss (voiced by Seth MacFarlane).
This sequel only skirts Hellboy’s history but there are references to the past and an acknowledgement of his being a non-human misfit.
We get more of the same brusque but caring super-agent, only this time, he’s got tiffs with girlfriend Liz. The humor’s still intact; there are funny moments smoothly injected into the script. Krauss dealing with Hellboy’s insubordination, for instance, is enjoyable. Abe’s crush on Princess Nuala (Anna Walton) also amuses. But there’s a long scene centering on his fixation with a Barry Manilow song that describes his feelings for her.
“The Golden Army” is effects-heavy and fancy-looking, but the plot’s just okay. The climactic battle doesn’t show enough of the magnificent-looking automatons as a truly imposing threat to the outside world. It should’ve been a fight that escalates to epic proportions, but we don’t see it.
Also, the team’s new status as non-covert agents makes sense in the age of camera phones and digital wonders--this would’ve been a great development, but this angle isn’t mined enough, and fades quietly.
Still, the oddly shaped creatures and monsters are designed exceptionally well, like the inhabitants of “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” There’s gorgeous artistry in those otherworldly beings. Their loud, slam-bang encounters with Hellboy, while often brief, are nonetheless cool and visually engaging enough.
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is currently screening in Metro Manila cinemas.
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