Hellboy 2 Review

I had the privilege to watch an advance screening of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army and I must admit that it was worth every penny or should I say every minute (Thanks Angel). The movie is about 110 minutes long and easygoing, funny with a lot of metaphysics and is packed with an ensemble of moods and elements. The story revolves around an ancient truce between the elves and the humans that has been broken by an elf prince (Luke Gross) when he sets a quest to seek the only artifact that can control an ancient indestructible mechanical army that he intends to awaken to bring "order" to the succumbed human world. Back at the top-secret paranormal government lab/agency where Hellboy (Ron Perlman) works, he's faced with a new boss and authority figure Dr. Johann Kraus - a gaseous entity in a containment suit (resembles a diving suit voiced by Seth MacFarlane). Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), Red's sidekick, friend and resident know-it-all returns and finds romance with the sister of the elf prince (played by Anna Walton).

Some Highlights:
** Red's love affair with the combustible Liz Sherman (Selma Blair)
** Barry Manilow's "I Can't Smile Without You"
** That elf prince has got some serious moves
** Hellboy, a baby in one hand and an oversize gun in the other, top it off with a giant, angry plant.

HELLBOY II: The Golden Army

Directed by Guillermo del Toro; written by Mr. del Toro, based on a story by Mr. del Toro and Mike Mignola and on the Dark Horse comic by Mr. Mignola; director of photography, Guillermo Navarro; edited by Bernat Vilaplana; music by Danny Elfman; production designer, Stephen Scott; creature and makeup effects by Mike Elizalde; produced by Lawrence Gordon, Mike Richardson and Lloyd Levin; released by Universal Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes. WITH: Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Selma Blair (Liz Sherman), Doug Jones (Abe Sapien/Chamberlain/Angel of Death), Jeffrey Tambor (Tom Manning), Luke Goss (Prince Nuada), Anna Walton (Princess Nuala), Seth MacFarlane (voice of Johann Kraus) and John Hurt (Trevor Buttenholm).