Darker than Spider-Man but not as dark as Spawn, Hellboy is s comic-book movie that’s probably best left to comic book aficionados.

As all introductory comic-book films must do, Hellboy begins with an explanation of origin, which in this case, also allows for an introduction of the bad guys. The primary bad guy is Rasputin (Karel Roden) – the Rasputin – who has resurrected in order to bring an end to the world. With the help of the knife-flinging Kroenen (Ladislav Beran) and the Nazi Ilsa (Bridget Hodson), he manages to open a portal to another dimension. Instead of bringing about the end of the world, however, he inadvertently brings in a demonic infant, which is found and then reared by the United States secret forces.

Years later we are introduced to the good guys, Hellboy (Ron Perlman), the blue skinned, mind reading, water breathing Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), professor Bruttenholm (John Hurt), FBI agent John Meyers (Rupert Evans), and the Goth-looking, fire emitting Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), who is also Hellboy’s love interest. The only interesting character is Hellboy himself, who, now a full grown demon-man, has a sort of reluctant-hero attitude. He couldn’t be more human in character, and seems to personify the High School boy ideal – he kills monsters when he has to, but he prefers to spend his time with smokes, beer, and girls. Hellboy is the new generation of comic book heroes, he’s dark and has a bad attitude – but he’s a good guy.

Well, Rasputin returns and begins destroying the world with multiplying monsters, which Hellboy and his friends have to contend with. The humor is mildly amusing and the action sequences are mildly entertaining, but there’s nothing really new here.

There’s a slight Christian theme underlying the story – though he’s devil by nature, Hellboy learns that it’s his decisions which make up his character, not his origin. Great message, but it’s done weakly. It feels as if it’s always either heavy-handed or underdeveloped. It really feels tacked on – like a last second attempt at throwing some “substance” into the mix.

The cinematography is handsomely done though, and special effects are at their best. So, once again, we have another comic-book movie that’s fun to look at, but not a whole lot more.

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