Hellboy (2004) – a Movie Review

Hellboy is a comic book adaptation starring Ron Perlman as Hellboy and Selma Blair as Liz Sherman. John Hurt plays Trevor, the professor and father figure to Hellboy. Abe Sapien is played by Doug Jones but voiced by David Hyde Pierce. The Story follows Hellboy, Liz, and Abe as they protect normal humans from creatures that go bump in the night.

I watched Hellboy again the other night because I wanted my boyfriend to see it before we watched the sequel in the movie theaters. After watching it probably for the fifth time, I am still impressed with the movie. It is my favorite comic book movie. I am not for sure how it compares to the comic books since I have never read any from that series. I do think reading the comics would help understanding the movie a little more because several times throughout the movie I feel like I am missing an inside joke or a little fact that is explained in the comic books. Never the less, it is still a very enjoyable movie.

Ron Perlman is excellent as Hellboy. I love how he deadpans most of his lines. I think my favorite quote is when Abe is digging out creature eggs from Hellboy’s arm and Hellboy says “and he didn’t even buy me dinner.” Hmmm, well it doesn’t really sound funny when I type it out but trust me; it is hilarious in the movie. Selma Blair is great as Liz Sherman. My only complaint is the movie didn’t cover enough back story between Liz and Hellboy. I would have liked to know a little more about their relationship that obviously borders on romance but it is just a side note throughout the movie.

The breakout character in the movie is Abe Sapien played by Doug Jones. Doug was excellent with his body movements and demeanor. I wish I knew what he really sounded like because I am curious on why the director chose to dub over his voice. Even though Doug is not the voice of the character, he still did an excellent job with his body.

The plot is interesting enough if not a little predictable. Just another evil mad man with his woman accomplice wants to destroy the world and form their own Eden, blah, blah, blah. The director could have got rid of that plot line and just had Hellboy run around town and it still would have been a great movie. I give the movie 5 out of 5 stars.