A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Hellboy

Date of original theatrical release: 2004

Details:

Ron Perlman

John Hurt

Selma Blair

Rupert Evans

Karel Roden

Jeffrey Tambor

Written & directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Score: 1/2

The Review: Gods and Monsters, sort of, albeit the comic book version.

Situated either in an alternate universe where Hitler didn't die until 1958 (Philip K. Dick, where are you when we need you?), or in our universe with some seriously well-concealed, if not so well-conceived, governmental agencies (the Bureau for Paranormal Affairs, or some such), the plot jumps from the end of WW-II to the present day (such as it is). Some bizarre paranormal experimentation sponsored by the Nazis (?), managed by the mad Russian monk Rasputin (??), involving a ruined prehistoric site on a remote Scottish isle (???), results in the cross-over and release of a baby demon into our universe. Rescued by the good guys, he becomes an asset to the cause of truth, justice and the way of the cynic. For Hellboy (Perlman) has a serious attitude problem and a passion for bad cigars.

A bit of the paranormal, a bit of science fiction, a bit of creative history -- but when it comes to the laws of physics, this becomes quite clearly a fantasy: conservation of mass is clearly violated in the growth and reconstitution of some of the critters near the denouement.

Not bad, as these things go.

(27-Mar-05)

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