Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Universal Pictures | Release Date: July 11, 2008
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 514 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
399
Mixed:
72
Negative:
43
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
3
FilipeNetoJun 7, 2020
This film is the long-awaited sequel to "Hellboy", based on a comic and made in the wake of the fashion of comic-based films that has been a trend in the movies. The film continues the story of the son of Lucifer who came to live among us andThis film is the long-awaited sequel to "Hellboy", based on a comic and made in the wake of the fashion of comic-based films that has been a trend in the movies. The film continues the story of the son of Lucifer who came to live among us and defends humans from the dangers of the supernatural world. In this film, he is eager to feel recognized for his efforts, but his work and his very existence remain secret. However, he will have to prevent a war between humans and beings from the supernatural world, who want to control the legendary Golden Army.

The script is the weakness of this film. To begin with, the story told is so imaginative that it becomes absurd and difficult to swallow. There are several notable holes in the plot, which can be easily shattered if you think about it. The usual clichés in adventure blockbuster are quite evident as well. But even if we are willing to accept the story told as it is, there is a void of content behind all the visual style of Del Toro and all the CGI that millions of Hollywood can afford.

The cast is good, much of it was inherited from the first film and does its job without blemish. Perlman is the highlight thanks to his talent and his chameleonic ability to transform himself into whatever he wants, film after film. The problem is that he brings little new to his character here, limiting himself to recycling the work done in the first film. Selma Blair has gained more visibility than she previously had and has done a positive job, especially when she plays with Perlman. Anna Walton is good enough but she doesn't have the space to do much. Doug Jones is a good joker able to do almost anything competently. John Alexander did a good performance too. On the other hand, Luke Goss is a villain who neither scares nor intimidates and Jeffrey Tambor has little to add to the film's positive. Finally, John Hurt's interesting cameo of honor.

Technically, the film is superb. In fact, Del Toro is a master at loading his films with a unique and striking visual style. Personally, I highlight a cinematography that uses contrast, light and shadow, intense colors and urban landscapes, and the very careful characterization of supernatural characters. In fact, the film was even nominated for the Oscar for Best Characterization, which is quite fair. The sets and costumes, as well as the choice of filming locations, are not far behind. The visual, special and sound effects are superb, and the soundtrack is discreet, but contains an excellent version of the song "Can't Smile Without You". It is really a pity that the script did not follow all this technical quality.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
norseJun 8, 2018
Ugh, what a terrible turd. Great characters, wonderful idea for a story line, terrible direction and acting. Seriously, it's so bad that I wonder how on earth they got the first Hellboy together - which, for the record, I loved.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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0
DunyGMar 6, 2021
I was so bored and the acting wasn't to my taste. I did not like the visuals all that much.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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3
DanSep 14, 2008
Apart from the visuals which were quite impressive as we've come to expect from Guillermo's films, this movie was a real let-down. The CGI was, for the most part, impressive and the design, make-up,and props etc. were great. I Apart from the visuals which were quite impressive as we've come to expect from Guillermo's films, this movie was a real let-down. The CGI was, for the most part, impressive and the design, make-up,and props etc. were great. I found some of the sets a bit dull and uninspired though. The action was adequate, exciting in places, but nowhere near as fast paced or exhilarating as many other films of the genre. Now on to the really bad stuff. I found most of the performances by the actors in the film to be fairly flat, even Ron Pearlman's. The muffled, sometimes barely audible dialogue was so cheesy and juvenile it was almost unbearable (apart from a few mildly amusing one-liners). The heartfelt moments in the film felt so contrived, I felt no connection with the characters whatsoever and really found myself cringing with embarrassment throughout many scenes. The movie had no real structure but was really just a bunch of scenes strung together and badly at that. I thought many of the scenes were also quite pointless and had gaping plot holes. Also, considering the plot of the film, I found it lacking any real moments of drama, or any grand, awe-inspiring set-pieces. Overall, a visually engaging but two dimensional film that will probably fail to touch audiences on any real emotional level which is what a great, even good movie should hope to do.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
0
szjaoriDec 7, 2010
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the book is the best. if you seen the first episode you will like the second episode. You can read it :
konyv-konyvek.hu/index.php?q=hellboy_2_ordogot_a_falra… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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0
JeffD.Jul 14, 2008
i hated it. the visuals were nice, but the story lacked a lot, and the transitions from event to event were horrible at best. the jokes were bad, the puns were sickening, the wit was anything but clever. Hellboy II strives for that i hated it. the visuals were nice, but the story lacked a lot, and the transitions from event to event were horrible at best. the jokes were bad, the puns were sickening, the wit was anything but clever. Hellboy II strives for that satisfactory "epic quest" feel, but misses by miles, and merely achieves the status of "clusterf*ck." do yourself a favor and buy the comic book; you'll get more bang for your buck. and what the hell was up with that opening scene? GAH!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
GavinM.Sep 5, 2008
I must say first I really enjoyed the first Hellboy Movie. It had a great story, was well written and acted and had a lot of facets to it not seen in any similar films. Hellboy 2 Golden Army is an unfocused diatribe of cheesy one liners and I must say first I really enjoyed the first Hellboy Movie. It had a great story, was well written and acted and had a lot of facets to it not seen in any similar films. Hellboy 2 Golden Army is an unfocused diatribe of cheesy one liners and naive action sequences that are sparse, short and poorly executed. The so story is a watered down homage to Tolkein with no real reason or purpose. We are told that theres an ancient civilization who once in time fought man, was about to conquer mankind but didn't and then they cower beneath the Earth while mankind who lost the war reigns supreme? Its really just a visual spectacle boasting a mish mash of any amount of fairy tale creatures designers could come up with. And I am sorry to say the story in all its absurdity seemed to be just an after thought. I wish I could give this a better review as I really enjoyed the first Hellboy but I can't tell a lie...bring on T4.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
SunilP.Oct 28, 2008
This movie completely a total laugh i don't get why people like it as well as they do (no offence), why did i not like this movie, because 1. In the first Hellboy you are only really given a few monsters he has fought and then suddenly This movie completely a total laugh i don't get why people like it as well as they do (no offence), why did i not like this movie, because 1. In the first Hellboy you are only really given a few monsters he has fought and then suddenly we find out that there are loads of trolls about and a whole, totally different side of the world is shown to us in this movie 2. Professor Krauss is at first all mean to hellboy, bet then after that they are like best friends because of a unemotional sad scene when his family died 3. The movie was meant to be about the golden army, but it was more about Prince Nuadu vs Hellboy, they are only in one scene for like five minutes 4. How the prophet in the cave magically heals hellboy like a day after being stabbed, it was totally unreal and unthoughtful 5. The princess could have stopped Nuadu like way before by stabbing herself, but saving the world, she only decides to do that righ at the end 6. How Abe Sapien has a love life and suddenly wants o marry her and spend his life with her after a few hours of knowing her 7. if Prince Nuadu could have used the Elemental to kill everybody, when he could have blackmailed hids father to giving him the crown and the location of the golden army 8. It is not a tiny bit supicious when Professor Klauss becomes Hellboy… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
JJBJul 17, 2008
This was the second worst "superhero" movie right behind Spiderman 3. The jokes were horrible, scene transition was poor and the overall plot had a good concept but lacked proper delivery. 6 people walked out of the theatre and I could This was the second worst "superhero" movie right behind Spiderman 3. The jokes were horrible, scene transition was poor and the overall plot had a good concept but lacked proper delivery. 6 people walked out of the theatre and I could hardly keep my eyes open. Nothing kept my attention. Portraying a kid Hellboy was a good idea, until he opened his mouth to speak, then you couldn't wait for him to shut up. How the writers made a complete 180 degree spin on Hellboy is beyond me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
NickK.Aug 20, 2008
Painful viewing experience. The first movie wasn't very good but much easier to take than number II. The ending of the movie is thrown in your face about half way through and then when it actually happens you're still expected to Painful viewing experience. The first movie wasn't very good but much easier to take than number II. The ending of the movie is thrown in your face about half way through and then when it actually happens you're still expected to be surprised by it. Hey, but the visual effects are great!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TanyaMAug 5, 2008
Holy crap. What a flaming bag of dog doo. I thought this was supposed to be even mildly good. It ain't. So boring (effects included). And the comedic moments were absolutely painful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
MichaelG.Jul 13, 2008
What a piece of crap! We walked out 40 minutes into the movie and actually demanded a refund from our theater. This is possibly the final reason to never go to a movie theater again. The makers of this film should be embarrassed.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
HarlanK.Jul 16, 2008
I really have no respect for critics anymore. How they can give good ratings to a movie with horrifically bad plot and continually cringe inducing dialogue is beyond me. Aren't plot and dialogue essential elements to a good movie? Given I really have no respect for critics anymore. How they can give good ratings to a movie with horrifically bad plot and continually cringe inducing dialogue is beyond me. Aren't plot and dialogue essential elements to a good movie? Given some of the ratings this visually good looking but completely stupid and boring movie has recieved, I guess not.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
JohnT.Jul 17, 2008
This one had great visuals and fight sequences, but the story was absolutely painful to endure. Horrible acting mixed with a haphazard script leads to one that I hope you avoid.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
MikeK.Jul 23, 2008
I love how the bad guy in the movie could and should have been easily killed off in the second scene of the movie. Far too many plot holes and boring storyline. My friends and I actually fell asleep for part of the movie. The only reason I love how the bad guy in the movie could and should have been easily killed off in the second scene of the movie. Far too many plot holes and boring storyline. My friends and I actually fell asleep for part of the movie. The only reason this actually doesn't get a 0 is the scene where they get drunk as that was funny. But the rest of the movie was just dull. I hope Del Toro doesn't do the same thing to the Hobbit.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
ChrisKAug 22, 2008
Good visuals. Nearly everything else to do with the plot was contrived, and obvious. If you didn't see the ending coming within the first scene i'm sorry, you've failed miserably. There are just so many plot holes... if you Good visuals. Nearly everything else to do with the plot was contrived, and obvious. If you didn't see the ending coming within the first scene i'm sorry, you've failed miserably. There are just so many plot holes... if you sit back and think for one second it becomes a huge joke. Oh and the 'reason'... did she just swap one word and rip the Neo/Trinity speech at the end of The Matrix? The action is passable, but largely boring (and goes with the Underworld Evolution approach of 'aah, so they are immune to bullets.... what shall i do..... fire more bullets'... It's not even funny. Equallying Crystal Skull in sheer rubbishness. I nearly fell asleep a few times, and i almost left. You could only make this film worse by giving Lucas some control, and even then he'd only add some stupid small animals and some extra sound effects for no good reason at all.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
GabeN.Aug 7, 2008
This movie is bad bordering on the incompetent. I was a fan of the first movie, even with all its flaws, and had high expectations for the sequel. The fear set in almost immediately with the scene between a young Hellboy and Professor This movie is bad bordering on the incompetent. I was a fan of the first movie, even with all its flaws, and had high expectations for the sequel. The fear set in almost immediately with the scene between a young Hellboy and Professor Bruttenholm IJohn Hurt banking a paycheck). This was not Hellboy as a kid - this was Guillermo del Toro lazily and incomprehensibly grafting a pointless backstory onto the film. It was downhill from there. Hellboy has gone from a flawed hero to a mildly repulsive loser. Individual scenes fall apart with no sense of significance or consequence (e.g. killing the elemental is done purely to let loose the set designers even though emotionally it's completely disconnected from the narrative). And all the praise the art direction and creature design has received in completely undeserved. Taking a monster from the Star Wars cantina scene and putting a house on top of its head is not design, it's self-indulgence. Just like fight scenes, good monster design has to tell you something about the world, the characters, or the story, and not just be an excuse for more latex costumes composed of pieces selected by a random number generator. B--23! A monster with wings and bananas. C-17! A siamese twin with a mouth where its belly button goes. This was a badly written, ill conceived film that comes across as a director indulging his worst tendencies. It makes me worried for The Hobbit.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
HundenM.Sep 8, 2008
Oh my god, this was THE WORST MOVIE I have ever seen. Pain, pain and suffering, nothing else. I wish I had left the cinema after few first minutes. They tried to put scifi and fantasy together and the result was a disaster! Stay away from Oh my god, this was THE WORST MOVIE I have ever seen. Pain, pain and suffering, nothing else. I wish I had left the cinema after few first minutes. They tried to put scifi and fantasy together and the result was a disaster! Stay away from this crap and save your soul!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
HelpUJul 19, 2009
Wow this movie is break through... I mean I actually fell asleep, I didn't care what happened in the movie so much.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
GeorgeN.Jul 12, 2008
I just got back from Hellboy. I was excited to see this movie as the first one was okay and Metacritic rated it so highly. I am so angry that I wasted 2 hours of my life watching one of the stupidest movies every made. There was no character I just got back from Hellboy. I was excited to see this movie as the first one was okay and Metacritic rated it so highly. I am so angry that I wasted 2 hours of my life watching one of the stupidest movies every made. There was no character development, the characters made decisions that were completely random and by the middle I didn't care if the "golden army" rose up and killed everyone in the world. I forced myself to stay seated but was in agony the entire time. Hellboy's character was annoying but not nearly as aggravating as the plot. I would rather have a root-canal than see that again. I would get more out of watching 2 hours of sesame street. However, if you have only a 2nd grade education or lower you'll probably love it. This movie ruined my night.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
JohnP.Jul 12, 2008
I don't understand why everyond is giving this movie top scores. The character designs are definitely cool, but those are taken from the comics! The plot does not make any sense, especially towards the end where random characters shows I don't understand why everyond is giving this movie top scores. The character designs are definitely cool, but those are taken from the comics! The plot does not make any sense, especially towards the end where random characters shows up at specific places just to keep the story going. Character development is a joke and most of the main cast's reactions to their surroundings and to each other felt incredibly contrived, inconsistent and forced at times. There were some funny moments in the middle when the film sort of stops taking itself so seriously but overall the film felt absolutely robotic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
JackF.Jul 25, 2008
One of the worst movies of the year. I completely fail to see why this got any praise whatsoever.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
FotonoNov 5, 2021
I wanted to watch something else, but I lost the bet. So I got to watch this crap. I hated it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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