Been on vacay for a little while, but had plenty of time to soak in cinema as well as sun. So here are some observations (probably with random question marks throughout cuz I used a Mac notetype it).
It's hard to imagine there is any cinematic crime left to battle this summer, with the amount of superheroes combating evil-doers in theaters. And while all of them may be eclipsed by a certain dark knight this weekend, it's hard to imagine one that will feature a world as visually stunning as director Guillermo del Toro's brilliantly buoyant Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
While the new Batman may soar in its complexities, both in drama and dialogue, del Toro is such a stylistic master that he at the same time pays homage to past cinematic worlds while creating wholly unique ones.
The Golden Army could actually come across as the fun-loving, slightly intoxicated sibling of the director's masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth. And it's more than happy to share the buzz.
Freaky, fun and phantasmagorical, 'The Golden Army' gets to the goods early after precious little backstory and stays in its own warped universe, juggling humor and heft with gusto.
Creators of Hancock, take note. This is how you take a roguish, potty-mouthed ruffian, plug in some pathos and still have a heck of a lot of fun while you're at it.
Led by Ron Pearlman, who in addition to playing Helboy in the original also played the Beast in the cult favorite TV show Beauty and the Beast, again displays the patience of a Buddhist monk in his ability to withstand hours in the makeup chair to get caked in latex.
But he is well aware of his role's riches, attacking it with aplomb, and putting the 'demon' in demonstrative.
Since the original film, Hellboy has been attempting domesticated bliss with his (quite literal) flame Liz Sherman (played Selma Blair, whose ability to set herself ablaze as a character is really the only fire she brings to her performance, but is fine nonetheless). Typical he-said-she-said squabbles ensue, but they still answer the call of duty as part of the government's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Development, in which they team up with fellow fish-man freak Abe Sapien (play by frequent del Torro collaborator Doug Jones).
They are needed to battle a centuries-old underworld prince (played by Luke Goss) fed up with humans and prepared to unleash an indestructible robotic infantry to reclaim the Earth.
There is many a moment of panoramic panache, worlds of wonder, and witty rejoinders that fulfill the recommended daily allowance of summer blockbuster nutrition, but for anyone who has repeatedly feasted upon del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth' (guilty as charged), there are elements of Hellboy II that rise far above the formula for the genre. From surprising life-or-death choices made by its leads to its thoughtful study of family,
The Golden Army will stand up to repeated viewings where its intricacies can be more thoroughly examined and appreciated.
It also sets the stage for a rather interesting conundrum for a sequel, if del Toro get the opportunity to have it realized on screen.
Personally, I can't wait for another chance to go to Hell, boy.