HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY is impressive and yet disappointing in various aspets. I suspect I will like the film more on repeat viewings. So far I like the first HELLBOY more. However, HELLBOY 2 has some good humor (yet too much humor) and lots of world building by showing more creatures. The character relationships get developed and Abe gets a love interest. The new character Johann Krauss is intriguing. The climax isn't impressive as the first film (too bad Universal didn't let writer/ director Guillermo del Toro film his planned epilogue that sets up for the third film- you can read it in the novelization).

HELLBOY 2 follows a renegade Elf prince who believes humanity should be destroyed and the peace (between humans and elves made by his father- the king) whouldn't have been set up in the first place. He needs to gather the three pieces to the crown that controls the unstoppable Golden Army. Meanwhile, Hellboy and liz are having problems living together as a couple. Abe discovers Liz is pregnant. Soon the BPRD is brought into the mission to stop the Golden Army from awakening.

Getting back to the film itself, the production and creature design is top notch. The downside of the film is it's too sappy at times and the story isn't focused enough (and developed further). It does drop hints about the next film and build the HELLBOY universe. Still I think the first film is a more sastifying experience.

this movie review is (c)7-14-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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