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	Hellboy
	Guillermo del Toro Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Rupert Evans, John Hurt, Corey Johnson, Doug Jones, Biddy Hodson, David Hyde Pierce 2004		The fantastical Mexican writer/director Guillermo del Toro was an inspired choice to bring creator Mike Mignola's witty, mythic, horror/sci-fi comic "Hellboy" to the screen. Del Toro's most recent films include "Blade 2," the further adventures of Marvel Comics' vampire hunter, and "The Devil's Backbone," a Spanish Civil War ghost story. Since "Hellboy" recounts the struggles of a sensitive demon working for a secret U.S. agency that battles evil, it's an opportune match of filmmaker and property. Del Toro also chose the right actor to bring Hellboy to life. Ron Perlman (TV's "Beauty and the Beast") dons superb makeup and becomes the cigar-smoking, kitten-loving, monster-smashing creature, whose devilish appearance belies his decency. Selma Blair as firestarter/love interest Liz Sherman and John Hurt as the scientist who raised Hellboy from infancy are also right. The special effects hold up. The tongue-in-cheek script captures Hellboy's soulful alienation and doesn't take itself seriously, but it's slim on motivation and backstory. Although Hellboy's arrival on our world is shown, his origins and those of his amphibious ally Abe Sapien are cloaked in mystery. Still, "Hellboy" faithfully reflects Mignola's artwork — and it kicks butt. Co-starring Jeffrey Tambor and Rupert Evans, with David Hyde Pierce as Abe Sapien's voice.


	Wednesday, December 18, 2024





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