Every Hellboy Movie, Ranked

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As a long-time fan of comic book movies, I have to say that my favorite Hellboy film is none other than Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.” Having grown up with the original comics and the 2004 film, I was thrilled when del Toro announced a sequel.

Among the numerous superhero series available, none share the distinctiveness of Hellboy. Developed by Mike Mignola, this character has graced four live-action films, but what sets it apart is that each director brings a unique perspective to the portrayal of Hellboy and his environment.

In some of Hellboy’s movies, the focus shifts between the character development and his connections with others, the comedic elements, and the creature features. One film, in particular, delves deep into horror movie style, similar to the Evil Dead series.

Regardless of the method chosen, there’s no denying that each Hellboy film offers a distinctive and captivating journey. Here you have them, ranked: the four Hellboy movies.

4. Hellboy (2019)

Director: Neil Marshall

Cast: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim

Title Synopsis:

Explanation for Its Position on This List: Eric Eisenberg, one of our team members, succinctly summed up this sentiment in his review, but in essence, the new Hellboy adaptation falls short. A significant flaw lies in its attempts at humor, which come across as forced and unsuccessful more often than not.

As a fan, I must admit that while I appreciate the ambition, the film seems overly crowded, leaving me wishing for a bit more breathing room. I get their intent, but it feels like too many elements are vying for attention simultaneously.

The narrative extensively develops the protagonist and his environment, aiming to differentiate it from Guillermo del Toro’s portrayal. However, in my opinion, this attempt falls short, leaving an impression of a less compelling character adaptation.

Furthermore, they deliberately aimed for an R-rating for this film, yet it seems unjustified. The violence appears overly intense and lacks enjoyment, while the language used is excessively vulgar without any real purpose.

I appreciate the inclusion of characters such as King Arthur and Baba Yaga, and find it intriguing how Harbour’s character differs from Perlman’s. However, Harbour himself acknowledged that the movie had significant issues. Generally speaking, I share the sentiment with many others that we were hoping for Hellboy III, not this version.

3. Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)

Director: Brian Taylor

Cast: Jack Kesy, Martin Bassindale, Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, Leah McNamara

In a Nutshell: A youthful Hellboy and his BPRD comrade find themselves amidst the Appalachian region teeming with witches. However, lurking in the shadows is an ominous entity called the Crooked Man. It falls upon Hellboy to thwart this sinister presence.

Reason for Placement on the List: The unique factor that sets The Crooked Man apart is its close association with creator Mike Mignolia, who played a significant role in the screenplay. This film adheres quite closely to the storyline of the The Crooked Man comic, and it stands out among the Hellboy movies for its emphasis on horror elements.

I find Jack Kesy’s portrayal of Hellboy particularly appealing, contrasting with Harbour’s, which seemed to be aiming for something similar to Perlman’s. Instead, Kesy brings a unique take on the character, largely due to him playing a younger version.

This significantly alters the overall feel, and I’d liken it to the contrast between the Judge Dredd films – while the Sylvester Stallone one was somewhat comical, it provided a charming introductory take on the character that holds a special place in my heart.

In contrast, I found the character and setting in the “Dredd” film starring Karl Urban (a movie I greatly prefer) to be remarkably immersive, much like my experience with this Hellboy movie. Unlike the latter, it doesn’t require an extensive introduction to establish the main character.

If I have one complaint, though, it’s that the movie feels uneven. It starts out well, but then tries a bit too hard with the scares later on, which makes it not scary at all. Still, I enjoyed my time with this film for the most part.

2. Hellboy (2004)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Karel Roden, Jeffrey Tambor

Introducing the Character: Hellboy becomes a part of BPRD, a team based in Newark, New Jersey, consisting of unusual agents. Together, they aim to thwart malevolent forces from taking over.

Why does Guillermo del Toro rank high on this list? It’s because when you consider his top movies, it doesn’t feel out of place to include the action-packed blockbuster Hellboy alongside his Academy Award-winning film, The Shape of Water. Both are exceptional films and share a unique del Toro touch.

The original Hellboy movie excels over the 2019 version due to its approach in developing the character, as Guillermo del Toro chose to reveal him gradually throughout the film rather than dedicating the initial hour or so solely for his origin story.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that the entire ensemble in this film was nothing short of remarkable. Sure, Perlman nailed Hellboy, but let’s not forget about Doug Jones as Abe Sapien or Selma Blair as Liz Sherman. They each brought their characters to life in a way that truly elevated the movie. And here’s the thing – the film’s straightforward approach actually added to its appeal. It didn’t require an R-rating to keep me hooked, and the PG-13 rating did the trick just fine.

All in all, it’s an outstanding movie that could potentially be regarded as the finest Hellboy film ever produced, surpassing even its impressive sequel, given its exceptional quality.

1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Anna Walton

Main Theme: A disgruntled prince, similar to Magneto but for enchanted beings, harbors a desire to dominate the world on behalf of magical creatures. He intends to do so using an army of gold robots. However, it’s Hellboy, Abe Sapien, and Liz to the rescue once more! Prepare for a rollercoaster ride of thrilling adventures and laughter.

This movie, “The Golden Army,” earns its spot on my list of favorite del Toro films due to its numerous strengths. From the thrilling sense of adventure, the intriguing character interactions (Liz being pregnant adds a new layer, but Hellboy remains oblivious!), the outstanding special effects, to the captivating villain (Prince Silverlance is simply awesome!). Essentially, everything about this film is remarkable.

Not only does it race along swiftly, but the pacing in this film truly captivates me. Despite its two-hour duration, it seems to fly by, and I attribute much of this to the high stakes and deeply personal storyline. Abe Sapien is particularly intriguing in this installment, ensuring that no one’s emotions get lost along the way.

Additionally, it appears that this tale doesn’t closely follow any existing Hellboy storyline from the previous films. Rather, it stands out as something fresh and distinct, which undeniably adds to its appeal.

The Golden Army still very much holds up today, and it’s one of my favorite comic book movies ever. They struck gold with this one.

For more news on Hellboy or upcoming horror movies, be sure to swing by here often!

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2024-12-08 19:07