Writer-director Guillermo del Toro (“Blade II”) relies heavily on comic-book movie conventions, but what distinguishes this film is the title character — a cigar-chomping, blue-collar, red-skinned, crime-fighting mutant played with sensational swagger by Ron Perlman of “Beauty of and the Beast” fame. The movie is based on Mike Mignola’s popular comic book series about a monster from Hell who enters our world through a portal opened by the Nazis in World War II, and is captured by the Americans, in whose service Hellboy battles all the things that go bump in the night.
Raised like a son by Professor Broom (John Hurt) at the top-secret headquarters of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy is a manly man’s monster. He pumps iron, listens to rock ’n’ roll and digs the ladies — particularly a pretty pyro-kinetic member of BPRD’s freak family named Liz (Selma Blair). And, boy, is he one hell of a crackup. Perlman’s got the comedic chops of a seasoned stand-up (think Don Rickles), and his sharp sense of humor serves the film well during the extended video game-like fight sequences that might otherwise feel played out.
Since he apparently cannot die, we don’t get the sense that Hellboy is ever in jeopardy. The villain, Rasputin, has come back to try and convince our hero that evil is his destiny, but Hellboy’s allegiance is never really in doubt. The conspicuous lack of central conflict leaves us only to wonder whether Liz will fall for a drippy FBI agent (Rupert Evans) and break the poor devil’s heart. While this lame love triangle is a drag, it cannot diminish the strength of Perlman’s powerful performance. (Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and frightening images. Running time: 132 minutes)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 2, 2004. Read the original PDF.