“We’ve been given the best portrayal of Hellboy in the worst possible movie”
Overall, I think the movie is good. It’s important to note that it’s not a traditional superhero movie, nor should it be expected to be. Many of the reviews I’ve seen online are comparing it to the first two films, but those comparisons don’t quite make sense. Anyone who’s read a Hellboy comic (and I hate to be that guy) knows that Hellboy leans more into folk horror. He’s not Captain America or any other Marvel or DC hero, even though he’s had some crossovers. But that’s beside the point. This movie is certainly not in the same vein as the Ron Perlman/Guillermo Del Toro versions, nor is it as visually striking as Neil Marshall’s Hellboy with David Harbour.
It feels like we’ve been given the best portrayal of Hellboy in the worst possible movie. By that, I mean this probably won’t be a favorite for most people, I hope I’m wrong because I did enjoy it. In fact, it’s probably the most comic-accurate movie I’ve ever seen although there were some added parts for story telling.
The big issue is, it had almost no promotion, meaning only die-hard Hellboy fans or comic book enthusiasts seem to know about it. Other viewers likely stumbled upon it, thinking, “I remember that film from 20 years ago, this must be a sequel”—but it’s not! It’s a much-needed reboot that brings the character back to his comic book roots.
Unfortunately, the film’s low budget (which I hoped wouldn’t affect the final product) and lack of studio backing make it feel like we’ve been shortchanged. This could harm future projects, as studios may lose faith, and, in the end, it’s all about profitability. That would be a real shame.
Personally, I’d love to see more of Jack Kesy as Hellboy—he was fantastic, as were the supporting cast, who helped salvage the film. Going forward, live-action adaptations should stick closely to the comic-to-screen format, but with more emphasis on story and visuals. A series would likely work better, giving the appropriate amount of time to explore the vast short stories Mike Mignola has written over the years. Who better to bring that to life than streaming giants Netflix? They have the resources and financial flexibility to give this reboot the chance it deserves.
Anyway, I encourage you to watch it if you can, or show your support by purchasing it and forming your own opinion. Have a wicked Halloween and remember “there are things that go bump in the night”
Overall, I think the movie is good. It’s important to note that it’s not a traditional superhero movie, nor should it be expected to be. Many of the reviews I’ve seen online are comparing it to the first two films, but those comparisons don’t quite make sense. Anyone who’s read a Hellboy comic (and I hate to be that guy) knows that Hellboy leans more into folk horror. He’s not Captain America or any other Marvel or DC hero, even though he’s had some crossovers. But that’s beside the point. This movie is certainly not in the same vein as the Ron Perlman/Guillermo Del Toro versions, nor is it as visually striking as Neil Marshall’s Hellboy with David Harbour.
It feels like we’ve been given the best portrayal of Hellboy in the worst possible movie. By that, I mean this probably won’t be a favorite for most people, I hope I’m wrong because I did enjoy it. In fact, it’s probably the most comic-accurate movie I’ve ever seen although there were some added parts for story telling.
The big issue is, it had almost no promotion, meaning only die-hard Hellboy fans or comic book enthusiasts seem to know about it. Other viewers likely stumbled upon it, thinking, “I remember that film from 20 years ago, this must be a sequel”—but it’s not! It’s a much-needed reboot that brings the character back to his comic book roots.
Unfortunately, the film’s low budget (which I hoped wouldn’t affect the final product) and lack of studio backing make it feel like we’ve been shortchanged. This could harm future projects, as studios may lose faith, and, in the end, it’s all about profitability. That would be a real shame.
Personally, I’d love to see more of Jack Kesy as Hellboy—he was fantastic, as were the supporting cast, who helped salvage the film. Going forward, live-action adaptations should stick closely to the comic-to-screen format, but with more emphasis on story and visuals. A series would likely work better, giving the appropriate amount of time to explore the vast short stories Mike Mignola has written over the years. Who better to bring that to life than streaming giants Netflix? They have the resources and financial flexibility to give this reboot the chance it deserves.
Anyway, I encourage you to watch it if you can, or show your support by purchasing it and forming your own opinion. Have a wicked Halloween and remember “there are things that go bump in the night”