Critic Reviews
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Rank 3 Reviews
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Slate (Dana Stevens)
Unlike many action filmmakers, del Toro doesn't thrill to the hardware of manmade technology. He prefers the soft, organic textures of flesh, and his trove of imaginary beasties is unmatched in modern fantasy filmmaking. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Slate (Dana Stevens)
Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
It's not perfect â thank Satan! â but Hellboy II: The Golden Army is by far the most splendidly imaginative and creatively uncorked piece of fantastic cinema since the director's Pan's Labyrinth netted an Oscar trifecta in 2007. Given the success of ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
del Toro has made an astounding bit of eye candy but viewers going in hoping for another emotional masterpiece on the level of "Pan's Labyrinth" may come away from it slightly disappointed. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
It is a truth undeniable that Hellboy II: The Golden Army does not enjoy a particularly robust and tight story; it might not be that much of a mistake, in fact, to claim that its story is a confusing mess. If that's the sort of thing that's going to ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Kung Fu Cinema (Mark Pollard)
Flush with the international success of the imaginative fantasy-drama PANâS LABYRINTH, writer-director Guillermo del Toro returns to Mike Mignolaâs comic book creation for an upgraded sequel that offers more of everything while staying largely true ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Kung Fu Cinema (Mark Pollard)
Beliefnet (Nell Minow)
"Hellboy" is the "US Weekly" of comic book sagas. Superheroes are just like us! They squabble with their loved ones! They smoke cigars! They take pregnancy tests! When their hearts are broken they get drunk and sing along to Barry Manilow!
And then ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Beliefnet (Nell Minow)
Filmcritic.com (Brian Chen)
Hellboy II takes the fantastic make-up artistry, creature creation, and set design that we grew fond of in Pan's Labyrinth and combines all of these elements with mindblowing CGI and stunning choreography ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Filmcritic.com (Brian Chen)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
At long last! A big summer movie that I actually want to see again has arrived with Guillermo del Toroâs Hellboy II: The Golden Armyâhands down the best big release Iâve seen all summer. It may not be in quite the same league as del Toroâs ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Movie-Vault.com (LaRae Meadows)
Hellboy 2, the sequel to Hellboy, is the coming out story of a demon, a human fish and the hottest woman in the world. Spectacular visuals save the story from its average plot and make Hellboy 2 a serious popcorn-chomper.
A demon, code named Hellboy ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Movie-Vault.com (LaRae Meadows)
eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
Like a young Spielberg before him, del Toro gives off this "I get to make movies for a living, isn't that awesome?!" vibe that's too often missing on the screen. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
New York Times (A.O. Scott)
It was made with the kind of heedless, geeky enthusiasm that has been drained out of the standard, somber superhero melodramas that crowd the multiplexes these days. Itâs an artful, clever throwaway that may, over time, turn into a valuable collectible. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at New York Times (A.O. Scott)
efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
The fact that the setup works for a second round can be attributed Perlman's ability to juggle brash enthusiasm with hardened sarcasm. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Surprisingly rich entertainment, even takes on well known series: Star Wars, LOTR, & Die Hard; framed squarely within a sub-par opening and weak ending. Still, I liked it! ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
The inventive del Toro creates visual fantasies unlike any other, and the creatures on display here are truly extraordinary. But amid all the costumes, all the action, and all the special effects, it's the humanity that makes his work so memorable. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
Jam! Movies (Kevin Williamson)
Could the year's least conflicted superhero be a leathery-red, stogie-smoking spawn of Satan? Believe it.
After months of tormented do-gooders battling evil when they should be crawling on a therapist's couch and sucking their thumbs, Hellboy (Ron ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Jam! Movies (Kevin Williamson)
New York City, where the film takes place, is pretty much a world unto
itself. Yet, if you walk through a portal below the Brooklyn Bridge,
you enter an entirely different world altogether. Words really don't
do the visual experience any justice. I ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) (Nick Rogers)
A fabulously freaky and fun immersion into a world of skin, hair, teeth and bones that aren't our own. Revolving around the ideas of bedtime-story imagination and fatherly obligation, it's more exciting, elegant and confident than its predecessor. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) (Nick Rogers)
The Onion A.V. Club
Ron Perlman returns as the film's loveable title character, a demon gone good who's tough on the outside but tender underneath, with a soft spot for kittens, candy, and babies. With his formidable physique, cigars, giant guns, and winning way with a ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The Onion A.V. Club
Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Tucked in amidst all the mind-blowing images and effects of Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a throwaway scene that illustrates how the visionary director gets the small things right.
Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a demon, has just kicked ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
"Hellboy" was fun, but "Hellboy II" is even better...where else can one see a blotto red devil beast and humanoid amphibian massacre "I Can't Smile Without You?" ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Reeling Reviews (Laura Clifford)
ShowBIZ Data
Comic books make another return to theaters this weekend, with Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, starring Ron Perlman and directed by Guillermo del Toro making its debut. Reviews are mostly positive. Roger Moore, writing in the Orlando Sentinel, calls the film ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ShowBIZ Data
efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
If âHellboy II: The Golden Armyâ does only one thing, it reconfirms writer-director Guillermo del Toroâs standing as one of the most gifted and truly visionary fantasy filmmakers in the entire history of the medium. From start to finish, he ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at efilmcritic.com (Peter Sobczynski)
Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
The most important thing to know going into HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY is that the chances are excellent that you will leave the theater humming Barry Manilow. Barry Manilow at his treacly, pop music-est. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
eFilmCritic.com (Mel Valentin)
In the present, Prince Nuada and his henchman, a giant troll, Wink, attack an auction house, both to obtain one of the pieces of the crown and to instill fear in the humans by unleashing ravenous tooth fairies. The government hands over the case to the ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Mel Valentin)
efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
The âHellboyâ movies illustrate one of the reasons I was dissatisfied with the âHulkâ films. Effective makeup is always preferable to cheesy computer effects. Yes, the Hulk is not obligated to show any emotion other than destructively blind rate. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at efilmcritic.com (Dan Lybarger)
eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
Thereâs little improvement in the bigger, badder sequel âHellboy II: The Golden Army,â which presents another ridiculously wafer-thin storyline, yet somehow manages to hang spectacular scene after spectacular scene off it without it snapping. I ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at eFilmCritic.com (David Cornelius)
Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army: (Danny Elfman) Director Guillermo del Toro returns to the world of Hellboy for his second adventure in four years, following the success of Hellboy with a sequel that cranks up the exotic locations and action sequences to the ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)
ReelzChannel (Brent Simon)
A hodgepodge of sci-fi, swashbuckling adventure, wry comedy and larger-than-life comic book action, 2004's Hellboy was one of those rare mid-sized comic book adaptations that exuded a vision and spirit bigger than its (relatively chintzy) budget. Based ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ReelzChannel (Brent Simon)
Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
The summer's been loaded with superhero movies, some better and some worse than Hellboy II, but none is as exuberantly creative, nor as unconventionally committed to being so many things other than a live-action comic book. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
Sacramento News & Review (Jim Lane)
Mike Mignolaâs crime-fighting comic book creationsâa sort of road-company X-Menâare back: Hellboy Red (Ron Perlman), fire starter Liz (Selma Blair), Aquaman Abe (Doug Jones) and their querulous handler Manning (Jeffrey Tambor) from the Bureau of ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Sacramento News & Review (Jim Lane)
Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)
Hitchcock's mommy fixation or no, we musn't read too much psychobabble into a director's work. But do you suppose Guillermo del Toro was traumatized by fairy tales as a kid?
Check out his last movie, Pan's Labyrinth, which crawled through a hidey-hole ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)
E! Online (Alex Markerson)
A rollicking popcorn flick about a demonic superman who loves kittens and cigars but who's not afraid to grab sci-fi conventions by the horns. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at E! Online (Alex Markerson)
Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army continues the story of Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a dispossessed demon found at the site of a paranormal event during World War II. Joined again by Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), Hellboy must now solve a ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
The Cinema Source (Michael M. Dance)
I find it odd that Hellboy II: The Golden Army even exists, let alone it's position as a would-be summer blockbuster. The first Hellboy was released in Spring 2004 and made an unspectacular $59 million in the U.S. -- less than its budget. It got solid ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The Cinema Source (Michael M. Dance)
Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
Still, the sheer volume of amazing things that del Toro is able to mine from his unconscious and render plausibly on the screen is remarkable. "Hellboy II" feels pretty sequel-y, as these things go, but there's a lot in it that has no precedent of any ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)
Combining animatronics, digital effects -- and most important, the director's fertile imagination -- Hellboy II gives us a taste of the magic del Toro is sure to bring to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)
Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
The line from special effects whiz Ray Harryhausen to director Guillermo del Toro has never been so clearly visible... ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
There's nothing hugely new or exciting about "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," but it definitely gives us our money's worth in the sheer volume of its imaginative fantasy creatures and it's that rare superhero-movie sequel that's better than the original. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
Arrow in the Head ("The Arrow")
I boogied to the first HELLBOY, swayed by its novel premise, slew of slick beasties and quirky heroes. Being that Guillermo del Toro was helming the sequel, I wasnât too concerned about it letting me down. After all, the dude knows his shit! So were my ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Arrow in the Head ("The Arrow")
Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)
This new movie melds the original Hellboy's kibitzy humor and crushing action with Labyrinth's darkest fairy-tale imaginings, pitting the large red fellow against the ambitious elf prince Nuada (Luke Goss) and his ghoulish minions. Nuada's father long ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)
Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Of all the comic book movies that have spun out of theaters this long and pulpy summer, Guillermo del Toro's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is the most unapologetically comic book-y.
Thank goodness. No ironic Hollywood stars, no weighty character ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
I enjoyed âGolden Armyâ much more than the original âHellboy,â but the concept still needs a fixation outside of ghouls and goblins. The moments that light up this sequel are the personal asides, infusing resplendent warmth that del Toro could ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) and pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz Sherman (Selma Blair). When angry elf prince Nuada (Luke Goss) attempts to restart an ancient war between humans and mystical creatures, itâs up to Hellboyâs team to save the ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
BrandonFibbs.com (Brandon Fibbs)
Donât misunderstand me, Hellboy II isnât going to win any Oscars or find its way onto anyoneâs âBest Ofâ lists. Yet its expansive imagination so elevates the material that you find yourself wishing it was put to the service of something greater. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at BrandonFibbs.com (Brandon Fibbs)
KYW Newsradio (Bill Wine)
Ron Perlman, doing the best work of his career, is the right guy in the right role: tough, self-deprecating, and funny. A brooding teen in the original, he's now a troubled romantic companion, which is why he has begun drinking so heavily. And he's ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at KYW Newsradio (Bill Wine)
MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
... an improved sequel over the original film, able to build upon the foundation of the first feature and finally put Hellboy in real mortal danger... ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)
Brimming with confidence and new ideas, writer/director Guillermo del Toro has made Hellboy II a different kind of film -- itself a satisfying development. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
"Hellboy" was one of the surprises of 2004. Based on a comic book character not as well known as those from the DC and Marvel universes, it was turned into an imaginative and memorable film thanks to writer/director Guillermo del Toro and star Ron ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Garrett Conti)
It must be fascinating -- maybe even a bit scary -- to consider the imagination of Guillermo Del Toro. Consider all of the creepy creatures or uncanny crawlers running through the "Pan's Labyrinth" director's head at any given time. Better yet, check out ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Garrett Conti)
Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army takes up shortly after the first one. It is briefly explained that John, Lizâs minor love interest, has been transferred away. Otherwise, the gang is all here and they are joined by a gaseous being that completes the whole ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)
Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
And so, the bulk of the film strongly entertains. There's not a dull moment and each element feels put together with passion -- from the CGI to the set design, to the editing, dialogue, direction, acting. It's enough to forgive the film's sub-par opening ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Christianity Today (Steven D. Greydanus)
First and foremost, Hellboy II is a riot of creature and set design as well as big action set pieces. Yet Del Toro never reduces the characters to mere action figures. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Christianity Today (Steven D. Greydanus)
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
There's so much beauty and imagination on display in Hellboy II: The Golden Army that it's sometimes hard to tell if you're watching an action movie or a museum exhibit called 'The Artistry of Guillermo Del Toro.' ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
The fantasy film can be carried alone by its strong visuals. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
"Aw, that's cute" are generally words you don't want to hear if you're a character in anything resembling a monster movie -- and especially not if you're in one directed by Guillermo del Toro who, to quote Roger Ebert, is obsessed with "sickening things ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
The New York Times
"Hellboy 2" is not a great movie â its narrative is at once too busy and too perfunctory â but like that sassy little tumor, it is lovable in its prodigious grotesquery. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The New York Times
Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)
The original âHellboyâ was a modest surprise, charming a whole lot of people who found the film on home DVD. As much fun as the original was, the sequel, as directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a major step forward in terms of both story and special ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)
Film e Dvd
Il principe Nuala del Regno Fantastico uccide il padre e decide di invadere la Terra, rompendo così la tregua stabilita fra la razza umana e gli abitanti del Regno. Interviene a fermarlo la squadra del "Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense" ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Film e Dvd
LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)
...isn't much of a story, yet as a vehicle for the monstrosity-minded imagination of writer-director Guillermo del Toro it offers an endless array of bizarre visual riches. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)
Seattle Times (Mark Rahner)
Since it's not appropriate for a grown man to file a review that consists of "Wheeee!" I'll say these things:
Director Guillermo del Toro is a mad genius, and I want to get drunk with him.
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is a flawed but tremendously ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Seattle Times (Mark Rahner)
Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
Ah, to be able to run around in the imagination of film maker Guillermo del Toro. The man who brought us âHellboyâ and âPanâs Labyrinthâ has the rare talent to take fantasy and turn it into a unique vision. Peter Jackson, the director of the ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)
Ron Perlman stars as Hellboy â the devilish spawn summoned to this dimension by the Nazis during World War II, but raised by a decent hearted professor, Broom Bruttenholm (John Hurt), to become part of an FBI task force to fight otherworldly demons and ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)
Associated Press (Christy Lemire)
Words don't really do justice in attempting to describe the wondrous array of misfits and monsters Guillermo del Toro has concocted in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army." Truly, his is a world you have to experience for yourself to appreciate it fully â if ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Associated Press (Christy Lemire)
Orlando Sentinel (Roger Moore)
As big, mindlessly fantastical summer entertainment goes, this falls comfortably between Iron Man (the gold standard) and the not-quite Incredible Hulk. It's a visually striking, mildly amusing way to kill a couple of hours. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Orlando Sentinel (Roger Moore)
Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Will appeal to the freak inside you who refuses to follow orders and is not afraid to let your gentle side out every once in a while. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Slant Magazine (Jeremiah Kipp)
Adolescent pulp fantasia meets sentimental married life in Guillermo Del Toro's follow-up to his 2004 working-class superhero movie. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Slant Magazine (Jeremiah Kipp)
Onion AV Club (Nathan Rabin)
Directing a sequel to a modestly successful comic-book adaptation might seem like a perverse choice to follow up an Oscar-winning international triumph like Pan's Labyrinth. But for Guillermo del Toro, directing the Hellboy movies is the opposite of ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Onion AV Club (Nathan Rabin)
ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)
I'm becoming convinced that Guillermo del Toro is the legitimate successor to Jim Henson. Why? The man just loves creatures -- designing them, molding them, bringing them to life. Hellboy II: The Golden Army is chock full of them, and they truly ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ReelTalk Movie Reviews (Jeffrey Chen)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Hellboy II grows repetitive but never boring. You can't go wrong in the company of visionary like Del Toro, who is scheduled to direct The Hobbit, a prequel to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Bring it on. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
In "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," the sequel to the popular 2004 "Hellboy," the brilliant Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro gives full expression to his boundless visual imagination and darkly humorous sensibility. For these very reasons, you are ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
Screen International (Mike Goodridge)
Trust Guillermo Del Toro to deliver a summer action adventure which is gleefully unpretentious in its desire to entertain while filled with some of the season's most inventive visual effects and creature designs. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Screen International (Mike Goodridge)
ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
A visually delightful movie packed with plenty of goofy character elements that keep it entertaining. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
Horror.Com (Staci Layne Wilson)
All that glitters is not gold; I would have preferred fewer effects and more Hellboy, but overall, fans of this freakish family fathered by the gifted Guillermo del Toro should be fulfilled by this bigger and badder sequel. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Horror.Com (Staci Layne Wilson)
The New York Sun (Steve Dollar)
Mr. del Toro's visionary fancies raise the ante for fans of his art-house fare, and they surely provide an unexpected bonus for the rock-'em, sock-'em popcorn munchers in the multiplexes. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The New York Sun (Steve Dollar)
TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
The wonders are, if not endless, then abundant. And in a movie landscape where "effects" too often supersedes "special," wonders are worth savoring. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
Whoâs to say that âPanâs Labyrinthâ is an art film while âHellboy II: The Golden Armyâ is mere comic-book fantasy for the younger set? Surely not Guillermo del Toro, credited for directing both, using the kind of imagination that most of us ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
The temptation is to remark that if Hellboy was the appetizer, then Hellboy II: The Golden Army is the main course. To an extent, that's true. The second film is more assured, better paced, and has a stronger emotional component. It takes chances, offers ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
San Francisco Chronicle (Peter Hartlaub)
The talented fantasy filmmaker and heir to the Lord of the Rings throne gets the tone right throughout Hellboy 2, and the hip retro charm alone is enough to merit recommendation. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Peter Hartlaub)
About.com (Jurgen Fauth)
The wildly inventive talent of Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro is in evidence in every frame of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, the second installment of his big-budget franchise based on the comic books by Mike Mignola. No, Hellboy isn't a ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at About.com (Jurgen Fauth)
Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
I'm becoming convinced that Guillermo del Toro is the legitimate successor to Jim Henson. Why? The man just loves creatures -- designing them, molding them, bringing them to life. Hellboy II: The Golden Army is chock full of them, and they truly ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
For summertime entertainment this film can't be beat. It is fast paced, filled with fascinating imagery and who could not love a scene where Hellboy and Abe sign a Barry Manilow ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Moriarty)
This time, the freaks carry the film, and you get the distinct feeling thats the way it was always meant to be. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Moriarty)
PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
As he loves Liz, life, and TV, Hellboy embodies possibility, faith, and imagination. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Inconceivable in any incarnation other than Ron Perlman whose size, head shape, bluster and irrepressible grumpiness endear him to us. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
New York Press (Simon Abrams)
It's not serious enough to be anything more than gee-whiz fun whose gentle touch is more slight than light by the end. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at New York Press (Simon Abrams)
ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)
Not just a vast improvement over its predecessor, but the quality on almost every level is almost night and day with a stronger story and some of the most mind-blowing creature and FX work we've seen this summer. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ComingSoon.net (Edward Douglas)
ReelzChannel.com (Brent Simon)
A hodgepodge of sci-fi, swashbuckling adventure, wry comedy and larger-than-life comic book action, 2004's Hellboy was one of those rare mid-sized comic book adaptations that exuded a vision and spirit bigger than its (relatively chintzy) budget. Based ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at ReelzChannel.com (Brent Simon)
Bloody Disgusting (Brad Miska)
It couldn't be much worse than the first film, which is why there was a high level of expectations for Guillermo del Toro's HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY. Not only was the film expected to be better than the first, the internet fanboys have basically ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Bloody Disgusting (Brad Miska)
Lee's Movie Info (Craig Younkin)
âHellboy 2â comes in the middle of a superhero sandwich, what with last week's âHancockâ and next weekâs already proclaimed king of summer âThe Dark Knight." Iâm curious as to the legs this movie will have. The first one did ok, though I ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Lee's Movie Info (Craig Younkin)
About.com (Rebecca Murray)
Guillermo del Toro let his imagination run wild with Hellboy II: The Golden Army, a visual treat for the eyes crammed full of bizarre creepy creatures and magical beasties the likes of which normally dwell only in twisted nightmares. del Toro even makes ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at About.com (Rebecca Murray)
Movie City News (David Poland)
There are some remarkably beautiful things in Hellboy II... but suffers, in my opinion, from too much of everything. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Movie City News (David Poland)
Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
âHellboy IIâ could be a hit or myth thing, but Ron Perlman triumphs in lead ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
I wanted to like the movie more; there's plenty here for a cinephile to dig. But ultimately it's underwhelming -- and, with the exception of a couple uncanny images, forgettable. I hate to suggest anything that might check del Toro's remarkable ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
What is it about me that makes me fail to love the "Hellboy" movies? I liked the first one well enough, albeit unenthusiastically, and now the sequel -- "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" -- strikes me as nothing more than moderately enjoyable, occasionally ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
New York Post (Kyle Smith)
To its credit, Guillermo del Toro's more extravagant, $75 million follow-up to his 2004 B-movie doesn't take any of this particularly seriously. It's a monster movie in which the monsters listen to Barry Manilow. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at New York Post (Kyle Smith)
Newsday (Rafer Guzman)
Hellboy II, like its 2004 predecessor, has a middling story line, but it's made memorable by the dark, freaky visions of director Guillermo del Toro. And this time, his imagination runs wilder than ever. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Newsday (Rafer Guzman)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army begins with a bedtime story. It's Christmas Eve 1955, and little Red - a horned, tailed devil-child spawned by the Nazis, and now living in New Mexico with his bearded, benevolent professor surrogate dad - is getting ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
CineSnob.net (Kiko Martinez)
When del Toro's in charge, the film feels richer when it's an intimate story like "Labyrinth" or "The Devil's Backbone." With "Hellboy 2," itâs a ruckus that has some heart and is all Hollywood. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at CineSnob.net (Kiko Martinez)
Hollywood.com (Pete Hammond)
Whatever success Hellboy--and now itâs sequel has--is at least partially due to Perlmanâs dry, funny interpretation of the role. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Hollywood.com (Pete Hammond)
The Movie Boy (Dustin Putman)
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is a solid, if not overwhelming, action feature that will surely please comic book fanboys. If the premise isn't exactly air-tight and the pacing is uneven, the visual panache and central character work helps to make up for ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The Movie Boy (Dustin Putman)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
On average, a first run movie ticket will run you Ten Bucks. Were Cranky able to set his own price to Hellboy 2: The Golden Army , he would have paid . . . ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
Toronto Star (Bruce DeMara)
Hellboy is back, with a host of new and hideously imagined enemies, the usual relationship trouble and the same old rock-'em-sock-'em action.
Plus, there's a bundle of joy on the way.
(This proves that, despite his best efforts to keep them filed ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Toronto Star (Bruce DeMara)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
Hellboy II has the inclinations of a gas guzzler but the soul of a hybrid, and the two resist each other like partners in a loveless marriage. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt)
There's so much beauty and imagination on display in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" that it's sometimes hard to tell if you're watching an action movie or a museum exhibit called "The Artistry of Guillermo Del Toro."
Del Toro, who produced, directed ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt)
LivePDX (Kimberly Gadette)
On this latest Boy Meets Ghoul: Hellboy II's look is red hot. But it lingers too long on the fire, its promising sizzle ultimately losing flavor. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at LivePDX (Kimberly Gadette)
San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
Go to the movies long enough and you'll eventually find yourself rooting for a blood red, horned monster-man from hell. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
TheMovieBoy.com (Dustin Putman)
The burgeoning "Hellboy" franchiseâthe 2004 original and now its sequel, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army"âstand apart from a lot of comic book-based superhero films for a couple reasons. The first is writer-director Guillermo Del Toro (2006's "Pan's ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at TheMovieBoy.com (Dustin Putman)
KyleSmithOnline.com (Kyle Smith)
Hellboy is the working-class superhero. All he wants is to be left alone with his Baby Ruth bars, Tecate beer and television. If there werenât so many supernatural monsters that needed a good beatdown, heâd be just as happy working at Jiffy ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at KyleSmithOnline.com (Kyle Smith)
Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
Del Toro proves yet again that he can make the fantasy genre pop visually, but without better-formed stories heâll revert back to his pre-âPanâsâ status as a minor cult filmmaker. At least heâll have a solid foundation for his next project: an ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Metromix.com (Geoff Berkshire)
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Only intermittently captures the sense of goofy, off-the-wall fun that marked the first film. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Boxoffice Magazine (Mark Keizer)
If anyone living in the imaginary worlds of Iron Man, Hulk and Hellboy stand to benefit from this summerâs rash of destructive super-villainy, itâs the demolition and garbage disposal companies entrusted with cleaning up the messes created by these ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Boxoffice Magazine (Mark Keizer)
Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Fanboys won't mind the absence of depth or emotion; they may even welcome it for making the film more representative of its comic-book origins. The rest of us, however, cannot rejoice at the overspending and overkill likely to come in Hellboy III. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
RevolutionSF (Patrick Sullivan)
Being a ridiculously huge Mike Mignola fanboy, I wish I could tell you that Hellboy II: The Golden Army is the best comic film of the summer, but I can\'t. There\'s much to like and there's no doubting director Guillermo Del Toro's enthusiasm, but the ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at RevolutionSF (Patrick Sullivan)
Denver Post (Lisa Kennedy)
In 1944, U.S. military adviser Dr. Trevor Broom swept up a little red creature with knobby horns, a long tail and a right mitt like a sledgehammer.
The demon was nicknamed Hellboy. The moniker stuck, and Broom raised the youngster to work against his ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Denver Post (Lisa Kennedy)
Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Enjoy The Golden Army for what it is, a big fat piece of eye candy. But for the next Hellboy movie could we please have a lot more Hellboy? ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Still, the story -- such that it is -- benefits from del Toro's obsession with fusing the world of conventional fairy-tale archetypes with the grisly, almost Lovecraftian monsters that occupy the corridors of his imagination. ...read the complete Hellboy II: The Golden Army movie review at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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