Hellboy II: The Golden Army - A Visual Feast of Fantasy and Action

Dunia Film - Hellboy II: The Golden Army - A Visual Feast of Fantasy and Action. If you are a fan of comic book adaptations, you probably know who Hellboy is.

He is a red-skinned, horned, and tailed demon who works as a paranormal investigator for a secret organization. He is also a witty, sarcastic, and lovable hero who fights evil with his oversized right hand and his trusty gun.

Hellboy was created by Mike Mignola and first appeared in a comic book in 1993. He then made his way to the big screen in 2004, in a movie directed by Guillermo del Toro, the master of dark fantasy and horror.

The movie was a success, both critically and commercially, and spawned a sequel in 2008, Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a sequel that surpasses the original in many ways. It is a visual feast of fantasy and action, filled with stunning creatures, imaginative settings, and thrilling sequences.

It is also a fun and humorous adventure, with witty dialogue, quirky characters, and heartfelt moments. It is a movie that showcases del Toro's unique vision and style, and his love for the genre. In this blog post, I will review Hellboy II: The Golden Army and explain why it is one of the best comic book movies ever made.

Plot Summary

The movie begins with a flashback, narrated by Hellboy's adoptive father, Professor Broom (John Hurt). He tells the young Hellboy a story about an ancient war between humans and magical beings, such as elves, fairies, and trolls.

The war was ended by a truce, in which the humans agreed to leave the forests to the magical beings, and the magical beings agreed to hide from the humans.

The truce was sealed by a crown that could control the Golden Army, a powerful force of mechanical soldiers that could destroy the world.

The crown was split into three pieces, one for the king of the elves, and two for his children, Prince Nuada and Princess Nuala.

The story then shifts to the present day, where Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) has grown resentful of the humans' encroachment on the magical realms.

He decides to break the truce and reassemble the crown, in order to awaken the Golden Army and wage war on the humans. He kills his father, the king, and takes his piece of the crown.

He then sets out to find the other two pieces, one of which is hidden in an auction house, and the other one is carried by his sister, Princess Nuala (Anna Walton), who flees from him.

Meanwhile, Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and his team of paranormal agents are called to investigate the auction house, where they encounter a swarm of tooth fairies, small but deadly creatures that feed on bones.

They also meet Father Krauss (voice of Seth MacFarlane), a German ectoplasmic medium who joins them as their new leader. They learn that the tooth fairies were sent by Prince Nuada, who also unleashes a giant plant monster in the city.

Hellboy fights the monster, but also reveals himself to the public, causing a media frenzy and a government backlash.

Hellboy and his team then follow Prince Nuada's trail to the Troll Market, a hidden underworld of magical beings. There, they meet Princess Nuala, who seeks their protection.

They also face Prince Nuada, who challenges Hellboy to a duel. Hellboy wins, but spares Nuada's life, allowing him to escape.

Nuada then kidnaps Hellboy's girlfriend, Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a pyrokinetic agent, and forces her to trade her life for the last piece of the crown.

Hellboy and his team then travel to the site of the Golden Army, where they confront Nuada and his forces in a final battle.

Criticism

The movie received mostly positive reviews from the critics and the fans, who praised it for its visual effects, action scenes, humor, and characters.

Some of the main praises are:

1. The movie's visual effects are spectacular and creative, and create a rich and immersive world of fantasy and magic

The movie features a variety of creatures and settings, such as the tooth fairies, the plant monster, the Troll Market, the Golden Army, and the Angel of Death.

The creatures are designed by del Toro and his team, and are inspired by various myths, legends, and folklore. The creatures are also brought to life by a combination of practical effects, animatronics, makeup, and CGI, giving them a realistic and organic feel.

The movie is a feast for the eyes, and a showcase of del Toro's artistic vision and craftsmanship.

2. The movie's action scenes are exciting and thrilling, and balance the fantasy and the realism

The movie has several action sequences, such as the fight with the tooth fairies, the fight with the plant monster, the fight in the Troll Market, the duel between Hellboy and Nuada, and the final battle with the Golden Army.

The action scenes are well-choreographed, well-shot, and well-edited, and use a mix of martial arts, weapons, and powers. The action scenes are also infused with humor and emotion, and reflect the characters' personalities and relationships.

The movie is a fun and exhilarating ride, and a tribute to the genre.

3. The movie's humor is witty and hilarious, and adds to the charm and the fun of the movie

The movie has a lot of humor, both verbal and physical, and both subtle and overt. The humor comes from the dialogue, the situations, the characters, and the references.

The humor is also appropriate and relevant, and does not detract from the seriousness or the drama of the movie. The humor is also consistent with the tone and the style of the movie, and the comic book source material.

The movie is a laugh-out-loud comedy, and a delight for the fans.

4. The movie's characters are engaging and endearing, and make us care about them and their story

The movie has a great cast of characters, both old and new, both human and non-human. The movie focuses on the character development and the character interactions, and explores their motivations, conflicts, and emotions.

The movie also has a great cast of actors, who deliver excellent performances and have great chemistry. The movie is a character-driven story, and a heartwarming adventure.

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Conclusion

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a fantastic comic book movie, that delivers on all fronts: visuals, action, humor, and characters.

It is a movie that improves on the first one, and stands on its own as a masterpiece of fantasy and action. It is a movie that demonstrates del Toro's talent and passion, and his respect and love for the source material.

It is a movie that appeals to both the fans and the general audience, and offers a satisfying and entertaining experience. It is a movie that deserves to be watched and enjoyed, and to be remembered as one of the best comic book movies ever made.