REVIEW | Hellboy (2019)
Aww yeah! Hellboy’s back from the dead!
In which The Right Hand of Doom gets an awesome R-rated reboot.
Brought to earth as a baby by Nazi scientists — Hellboy is a demon from another dimension that enforces the supernatural balance of earth as a member of the B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense). But when Nimue — an immortal witch known as the Blood Queen — threatens to deliver the apocalypse. Hellboy discovers a prophecy that connects him to the event that could either save the world, or send it to hell.
*Minor spoilers for Hellboy ahead*
Remember the first time you saw 300 (2006), and how it made you think that it was a film as solid as a Spartan workout regimen with its sequences, cinematography, and storytelling — and then discovering that it was based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller?
Well, the war between the surface world and the supernatural realm is upon us. And its vision is as true as Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics foretold.
And if you’re already familiar with the B.P.R.D. from Guillermo del Toro’s picturesque adaptations of the red horned-hero. You should know that this 2019 remake is definitely darker, guaranteed to be grittier, and twice as much comedy as there is tragedy.
Simply put — this movie’s all set for a damn good time.
Although it may not be as masterfully refined as the adaptations of Watchmen (2009) or Sin City (2005), Neil Marshall pulls a page from Zack Snyder’s school of graphic novel cinema and brings out his own vision for the Beast of the Apocalypse — and his supernatural shenanigans.
Where Guillermo crafts a love letter to the graphic novel with his films, this Hellboy is a firecracker fuelled by the fires of Mignola’s imagination. From the blood, to the brutes, and all the unbelievably bonkers folklore — it all rises from the depths and onto screen in amazing, apocalyptic fashion.
And of course, knowing full well that no one will ever match the beautiful bestiaries of del Toro’s outstanding fantasies, there’s still enough creepy and creative character-creatures to cover more than a few fairytale books. Just imagine the Constantine universe, clashing with the Men in Black, with the brutality of Blade to blend it all together.
Or just picture Deadpool with demons and dark magic —
but with less self-awareness.
Much like your favourite adventurer uncovering secrets, dodging traps, foiling bad-guys, and dispensing one-liners. Hellboy is the occult equivalent that’s always fun to watch in any situation.
I mean, think of the stories that could come from how he ties his shoes with a giant stone-for-a-hand.
And we’re talking about having a cheeky, blasphemous, paranormal investigator (that could end the world if he wanted to) explore countless legends, age-old mythologies, unsupervised sorcery, and science-gone-wrong type stuff — and yes, including Nazi’s.
To paint an example, Hellboy is more likely to take on Vlad the Impaler instead of Count Dracula. Because this is a universe that goes for the jugular of vampiric lore instead of commercial convenience.
And to dive a little deeper into the source material — Hellboy has always been conceptually spectacular enough to justify any movie. Which means whatever cinematic iteration there is (R-rating or not), it’s bound to be a bloody good time.
Just like watching a rich paranormal playground unfold with vibrant set-pieces and imaginary creatures painting the pages to life. All while strapped to a transdimensional, transitory, and totally unapologetic joyride. And frankly — it couldn’t be damned if you decide not to join in.
Hellboy is paced like a graphic novel with backstories, backdrops, and bizarre oddities straight from the comic book. Giving you a peek into the spectacularly strange and especially unusual tales of the supernatural, both foreign and familiar.
Which makes a pretty great induction for a The Right Hand of Doom’s return.
In one line — Hellboy is fantastically indifferent to being different. It doesn’t tread the same successful path as most other films, it doesn’t shadow other comic book movie cues, and it’s brilliantly rooted in an eternally curious mythology where you’ll definitely raise your eyebrows to.
Neil Marshall’s reboot is many things to fans and film critics alike, but slow and dull is not one them. And since 9/10 comic book movies are cashing-in on the superhero stream, it’s always nice to have a change of scenery that spices up the genre. So if you’re looking for some fiction that redefines the term ‘abnormally amazing’ —
— you’ll find that Hellboy is nothing short of wild, wondrous, and completely worth your while.
Fingers-crossed for a trilogy this time.
