Hellboy: Director’s Cut (2004) October 25, 2006
Posted by gproject in : Recently Viewed , trackbackDirected by: Guillermo del Toro
In 2004 we finally saw the completion of Blade II director Guillermo del Toro’s dream project – a full-length feature based on the artist Mike Mignola’s most famous work: Hellboy. But almost a year after it’s release we found out that Guillermo was still not completely over it, and so we were treated to the Hellboy: Director’s Cut DVD. And quite a treat it is too.
The plot begins at the end of World War II, where the Nazi’s are taking part in an occult ritual to try and strengthen their campaign. A portal has just been opened when suddenly the process is interrupted by an allied attack, but not before a creature passes through into our world; a small red monster whom the troops name Hellboy. Many years later, and Hellboy is working for a secret government organisation that deals specifically with the paranormal. John Myers is an academy graduate who is about to join their merry ranks, and team up with Hellboy as he fights to bring down an old adversary with links to his past, and the Nazi’s.
This director’s cut version adds 10-minutes back into the movie although it’s been a while since I saw the theatrical cut, so I found it difficult to actually pick out the new footage. Most of it is character development I believe, so if you saw the theatrical version there was no single big event you missed. I liked this extended cut though, it definitely seems well rounded, and enough of an introduction to a character which I had no knowledge of beforehand.
Guillermo’s direction is very accomplished; he’s certainly had enough experience working within this genre to know what works and what doesn’t. The CG effects and the make-up on Hellboy are also excellent. Plus, Ron Pearlman makes a great job of the lead part, and it’s easy to see why he was the directors’ first choice for this role. That’s not to say that John Hurt (as father figure Trevor Bruttenholm) and Rupert Evans (new-guy John Myers) don’t play their parts well too.
The story is passable, although I find that occult/fantasy stuff always makes for a confusing plotline just because of the nature of the subject. As a non-reader of the comics, I can safely say that this movie does a good job of explaining the origin of Hellboy, and all the surrounding characters. They’ve piled in the action where it’s needed, however a slightly anticlimactic ending lets it down at the last minute.
Whatever you think about this movie, it’s not over yet. Despite early reports after the release of Hellboy making it appear unlikely, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army has been green-lit. So we’ll definitely be seeing more from the big red guy in the future. And with all that origin-nonsense out of the way, I’m sure Guillermo’s got big plans for his favourite comic book antihero. Watch this space.
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