Del Toro, in love with his source but never overawed by it, keeps things moving; Perlman ties it together with some of the driest witticisms this side of Indiana Jones. Like we said: fun.
Comment
06/24/06
Hellboy (2004)
81
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:190
Fresh:153
Rotten:37
Average Rating:6.8/10
Consensus: Hellboy is pretty derivative, but there's enough wit and humor here to keep it entertaining.
Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Based on the comic book series by Mike Mignola, Guillermo del Toro's gleefully eccentric film follows the supernatural adventures of Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a cigar-chomping, horn-filing demonic... [More]
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Rupert Evans, John Hurt
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Reviews for Hellboy
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Top CriticA briefly entertaining but forgettable adventure.
09/05/04
An enjoyable, wide-ranging and well-crafted film.
09/30/03
Top CriticIt hasn't got the breakout potential of less eccentric comic book heroes, but fans will thank the dark squid gods for del Toro's admirable loyalty to the source material.
09/04/04
Top CriticSucceeds because it brings the visuals from the page to life with a beating red heart.
09/07/04
Top CriticExtremely enjoyable comic-book romp -- impressively directed with a witty, imaginative script and a terrific central performance from Perlman.
09/04/04
A richly imaginative comicbook world is unveiled in Hellboy. If only the story was as strong.
08/03/04
Top CriticDepths of character draw us in and make the film much more than an exercise in eye-poppingly inventive design, make-up, effects and action.
04/18/04
Most effective as a brief window into an era. It captures the bitter aftertaste of a counter-cultural movement gone stale
09/07/04
Top CriticClick to read the article
04/02/04
Top CriticIrritatingly drawn-out and overblown.
04/02/04
Although Perlman's presence provides the heart and soul of Hellboy, the film's fire dies down the moment he disappears from sight
04/16/04
I enjoyed the first 90 minutes and was ready to give this a recommend, but the last 30 minutes sent the movie straight to hell for me.
04/02/04
del Toro’s focus on the mood and the effects unfortunately causes the characters to suffer
03/31/04
A fiery action picture destined to please fans of other comics-turned-adventure flicks such as X-Men. The rest of us will find ourselves left out in the cold.
04/01/04
It's a movie for people (the guy kind) who can't stop turning the pages of comic books, who want life to be serialized.
04/02/04
Unfortunately, after setting up this fresh blue-collar scenario in the movie's first hour, Del Toro wallows in pyrotechnics.
04/18/07
Hellboy is as magnificent looking a comic book film as I’ve ever seen, but an increased sense of boredom detached me about midway through.
04/01/04
Seems to be a blend of X-Men and The Mummy, but even The Mummy has a more coherent mythology.
04/01/04
What begins as sensory overload eventually gives way to blatant plot gaps... I'm totally on the fence about Hellboy.
04/04/04
Latest News for Hellboy
April 22, 2009:
Ron Perlman Talks Hellboy III, Bubba Nosferatu 
We know Guillermo del Toro is wrapped up in "The Hobbit" for the next few years, but could a third "Hellboy" come together without his direct participation? Not if Ron Perlman... More...
April 21, 2009:
Five Favorite Films with Ron Perlman
While he's become best known for portraying a red, horned antihero in Guillermo del Toro's popular comic book adaptations Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Ron Perlman... More...
November 14, 2008:
Five Favorite Films with Guillermo del Toro
RT caught up with Hellboy II director Guillermo del Toro at the DVD/Blu-ray Launch Event for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, where the celebrated fantasy auteur shared his favorite... More...
November 12, 2008:
Five Favorite Films with Hellboy's Mike Mignola
RT speaks with Hellboy comics creator Mike Mignola to learn his Five Favorite Films of all time, which appropriately span the cinematic landscape where art meets horror. More...
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