HELLBOY (2004)

MORGAN'S RATING

From visionary writer/director Guillermo Del Toro comes this supernatural action adventure based on Mike Mignola's popular Dark Horse Comics series of the same name. Born in the flames of hell, and brought to our world in a pagan ritual, the fierce red hero, Hellboy, was saved by his friend and mentor, the benevolent Dr. Broom. Raised in Broom's Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy joins the likes of the "Mer-Man" Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, the woman he loves who can physically control fire, and Myers, the FBI agent who is his rival for Liz's affections. Together, our heroes must come to terms with fantastic powers that prove to be both a blessing and a curse. In the process, they discover that their abilities serve to benefit mankind but may also keep them forever isolated from the society that only they can protect.

Ron Perlman (Hellboy), John Hurt (Professor Trevor 'Broom' Bruttenholm), Selma Blair (Liz Sherman), Rupert Evans (John Myers), Karel Roden (Grigori Rasputin), Jeffrey Tambor (Dr. Tom Manning), Ladislav Beran (Kroenen), Corey Johnson (Agent Clay), Biddy Hodson (Ilsa), Kevin Trainor (Young Broom), Doug Jones (Abraham 'Abe' Sapien), Brian Steele (Sammael), Brian Caspe (Agent Lime), James Badson (Agent Moss), Stephen Fisher (Agent Quarry), Angus MacInnes (Sgt. Whitman), Jim Howick (Corporal Matlin), Mark Taylor (Truck Driver), Bettina Ask (Kid), Rory Copus (Kid on Rooftop), David Hyde Pierce (voice of Abe Sapien, uncredited).

GIVE EVIL HELL.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Guillermo del Toro (Blade II). WRITERS: Guillermo del Toro and Peter Briggs, and based on the comic written by Mike Mignola. PRODUCERS: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Mike Richardson. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Mike Magnola. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Patrick J. Palmer. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Marco Beltrami. DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia Pictures.

QUOTES

Professor Bruttenholm: There ARE things that go bump in the night, Agent Myers. We're the ones who bump back.

Abe Sapien: Behind this door...ancient evil. Hellboy: Oh well. Better let me go in and say hi. [loads gun]

Abe Sapien: Remind me why I do this again. Hellboy: Rotten eggs and the safety of mankind.

Hellboy: Damn, she took his picture. She took his picture. She took his picture.

Hellboy: Second date, no tongue!

[communicating on radio] Liz Sherman: Sparky to Big Red... Hellboy: Sparky? Who came up with that? Myers?

Liz Sherman: Red, white, you men are all the same.

FACTS

Liz Sherman: You should be running.

RELEASE DATE: April 2nd, 2004 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: July 27th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $23.1 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $59.4 million (USA) BUDGET: $66 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: March 2003 -- August 2003 - Director Guillermo del Toro for years considered this film a dream project and had always wanted to cast Ron Perlman in the lead, but could never secure a budget or studio approval. After the massive success of Blade II (2002), Del Toro was offered Blade: Trinity (2004) or this film, and though he briefly considered trying to schedule both in, he chose this film. He also opted to do this film over Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). - Upon meeting to discuss the movie, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and director Guillermo del Toro decided to reveal to each other their choice for the lead role of Hellboy. They both said at the same time, Ron Perlman. - Baby Hellboy and Sammael were both voiced by Guillermo del Toro. - The characters of Rasputin and Ilsa each have lines which are also names of the Hellboy trade paperbacks. "Seed of Destruction" spoken by Rasputin is Hellboy Vol. 1 and "Right Hand of Doom" spoken by Ilsa is Vol. 4. - Sit through the credits for an extra scene. - Very early on in the film's preproduction, the filmmakers considered putting Hellboy's giant stone hand on his left arm rather than the right, so as to grant the actor playing Hellboy the full use of his right hand. Ron Perlan proved to be ambidextrous, so the filmmakers were able to preserve the Right Hand of Doom.

Hellboy: I'm fireproof, you're not.

Ivan: If I still had legs, I'd kick your ass!

Hellboy: I'm gonna be sore in the morning!

Hellboy: So tell me, what got you this job pushing pancakes?

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"For all the monstrous eviscerations, there's no real heart here." -- Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"Hellboy can be a kick -- even if you're not a devotee of the comics." -- Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

"Hellboy is on fire with scares and laughs and del Toro's visionary dazzle." -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"...I loved about 49 percent of this movie but I hated 51 percent of it so I'm going to give this film thumbs down." -- Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

"A fiery action picture destined to please fans of other comics-turned-adventure flicks such as X-Men. The rest of us will find ourselves left out in the cold." -- Claudia Puig, USA Today

"Easily the most adept comic book adaptation since Ghost World." -- Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

"The most successful transformation from pulp page to big screen since Tim Burton's Batman in 1989." -- Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News

"Over-adapted fantasy action story." -- Chuck Schwartz, Cranky Critic

"Comic fans should enjoy the movie, but those with only a passing interest won't be as enthralled." -- Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

"Every scene in an orgy of elaborate visual effects but there is so little to tie them together that the reels could be shown in any order..." -- Peter Sobczynski, Critic Doctor