Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Theatrical Release Date: 2008 07 11 (USA)

UPC: 025195047296

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Profanity, Sci-Fi Violence]

Summary: Ron Perlman returns to the role of the big red BPRD agent in this sequel to 2004's Hellboy, directed once again by Guillermo del Toro and scripted as before in collaboration with original Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. For centuries, an ancient truce has kept the na?ve citizens of the human race safe from the horrors of the invisible realm -- but that's all about to change, and fast. A ruthless leader has emerged in the invisible realm, a tyrant just as comfortable walking the surface realm as he is living in the land of fantasy. When this power-mad ruler defies his bloodline to assemble an unstoppable army of fantastical creatures that he will use to wage a supernatural war on humanity, it begins to appear that humankind's days are numbered. But Hellboy (Perlman) isn't about to stand idly by as the planet is purged by a demonic despot, and with a little help from his team at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, he may just be able to send our otherworldly overlords packing. Of course, Hellboy's pyrokinetic girlfriend, Liz (Selma Blair), is always willing to conjure up an inferno or two when things get desperate, aquatic Abe (Doug Jones) is prepared to dive headlong into any battle, and protoplasmic mystic Johann (voice of Thomas Kretschmann) proves an invaluable companion in times of inter-dimensional conflict. Now, as the creatures who inhabit the spiritual realm gear up for an all-out attack on the human plane, the only one capable of saving the Earth is a tough-talking hellspawn rejected by both worlds. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Action

Awards: Film Presented – Los Angeles Film Festival Best Makeup – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Makeup – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: Hellboy: In Service of the Demon
Production workshop puppet theatre
Image galleries
Deleted scenes with optional director's commentary
Troll Market Tour with director Guillermo Del Toro
Feature commentary with Guillermo Del Toro

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 11/11/2008

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DTS Digital Theater Systems, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 120 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 2

Language(s) English,Spanish,French

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Jeremy Wheeler

Guillermo del Toro and Co. have pulled off a fantastical feat of high entertainment in Hellboy II, a follow-up that bounds off its predecessor into new comedic and action-packed heights, giving this unlikely big screen hero a gleeful second installment that works its devilish tail off to satisfy and astound. Having already been through the rather transparent -- "This is who the big-horned fella is and yes, he's the leading man" schtick the first time around, round two finds its own groove as Mike Mignola's characters trounce through Del Toro's menagerie of fetishes, namely misunderstood monsters, clockwork gears, undying love, and a magical array of monsters that leaves the audience spellbound throughout its near-two-hour running time. If one thing is for certain, it's that Ron Perlman was born to play this cat-loving demon with a heart of gold. His nuances under the makeup are effortless, as is his interaction with the movie's biggest surprise, that of gill-man and best bud, Abe Sapien. Performer Doug Jones dons the suit once more, but this time, is given the humble task of supplying the voice for the creature (taking the reins from Frasier's David Hyde Pierce) -- the result being a homerun straight out of one of the Hollywood's most unexpected playbooks. Abe and Hellboy are an endearing duo to be reckoned with, and with their dual romantic subplots, are given the chance to play off each other in wonderfully silly ways. And if there weren't enough laughs already with returning cast member Jeffrey Tambor, here comes the newest -- and most delightfully bizarre -- BPRD member, Johan Strauss, infectiously voiced to a Germanic hilt by Family Guy-guru, Seth MacFarlane. On the flipside, Luke Goss provides another intriguing villain that's not unlike his sorrowful portrayal of the tragic Shakespearean baddie in Del Toro's highly underrated Blade II. Far separated from the sparse, atmospheric creation that makes up much of Mignola's comics, Hellboy II dares to cram as much creativity into every frame as possible, leaving no doubt that this big-screen incarnation is its own valid animal -- and one that's well worth the price of admission. From the exquisite production design to the top-notch creature effects, the film is eye candy of the highest order. Boasting the largest set of in-camera monster effects this side of Nightbreed, and featuring some of the most striking character conceptions of its time, Del Toro has crafted a uniquely beautiful creation that dazzles the eye as well as the heart. Add in its sharp comic instincts and wham-bam action and one gets a comic-book film that strives to deliver a rousing experience for audiences of all ages -- and really, who could ask for more than that? ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Danny Elfman  Composer (Music Score) 
Lawrence Gordon  Producer 
Lloyd Levin  Producer 
Guillermo del Toro  Director 
Guillermo del Toro  Screenwriter 
Mike Richardson  Producer 
Chris Symes  Executive Producer 
Mike Mignola  Screenwriter 
Chris Kenney  Executive Producer 
Ron Perlman  Actor 
Selma Blair  Actor 
Doug Jones  Actor 
Luke Goss  Actor 
John Alexander  Actor 
Seth MacFarlane  Actor 
Anna Walton  Actor 
Jeffrey Tambor  Actor 
Roy Dotrice  Actor 
Brian Steele  Actor 

Country: USA