Hell on Screen:Hellboy Review

Hellboy has been a cult comic favorite for years, but I have yet to read a single issue. That's why when I stepped into the theater on Hellboy's opening weekend, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I felt like an imbecile walking into an advanced calculus class, but I left a learned man. Make that a very pleased learned man.

From the beginning, the film is both bizarre and intriguing. A reincarnated Rasputin is hired by Nazis to literally bring Hell on Earth. Military forces, along with a young paranormal expert, Professor Bruttenholm, interrupt a satanic ritual, but not before something slips through to our world. This thing, lured with Baby Ruth bars, is affectionately named Hellboy by the platoon, and raised by the Professor.

We then jump to modern day, where an adult Hellboy, brilliantly played by Ron Perlman, works for the F.B.I.'s secret paranormal division alongside a fish-like alien named Abe Sapien and a "fiery" young woman named Liz.

Hellboy proves to be difficult to control, and although he does his job well, he tends to make a mess doing it. Hellboy seems to display classic teenage frustrations. He can't keep out of trouble. He dopesn't like being cooped up in his room. The girl he likes won't go out with him. He and Liz have a touching moment or two, and it seems that there is some sort of history between them.

Hellboy even goes to the lengths of following Liz on a date. He watches her from a rooftop where a young fan of his decides to share some cookies. It is during this time that Hellboy's adoptive father, Professor Bruttenholm, is murdered. He is then joined by F.B.I. head tom Manning (Jeffrey Tambor) in a search for the demons that are wreaking havoc all over the city.

After an amazing battle between Hellboy and some huge killer demon dogs, we discover a very important detail. During the entire movie, all I keep thinking is, "Why does Hellboy have one enormous forearm?" My question was answered. It turns out that this is in fact a key to the gates of hell. Handy little thing to have around if you feel like unleashing evil and chaos on all of humanity. Hellboy, of course, remains strong until the very end.

Hellboy fan or not, this movie is worth seeing just for Perlman. He is the smartass/badass that we grew to love in characters like Wolverine. From his "I don't give a crap" way of battling hellhounds to his extreme love of kittens, Hellboy is a character that anyone can love.

Do yourself a favor and check this one out. It definitely sits high in the ranks of comic movies along with X-Men and Daredevil.

Cast: A+

Story: B

Action: B

Special Effects: A

Overall Rating: A-

Check out more on Hellboy at Hellboy.com.