Saw Hellboy II at preview

[Darth Shoju]

I saw it tonight. While it didn't quite live up to my expectations, I still thought it was fun and enjoyable. Visually it was fantastic (better than the first I'd say). Perlman was great as Hellboy as usual. I've never had a problem with Selma Blair and she was pretty much the same as the first movie. I found I missed David Hyde Pierce as Abe though. The Fey prince was a good character and well-acted.

I'd say the most disappointing aspect for me was that the premise was so cool, but the plot didn't flesh it out enough. It had a lot of potential, but perhaps fulfilling that potential would have pushed the film to be too long.

Anyway, it was definitely worth the price of admission and any fan of fantasy should find it entertaining.

Now bring on the Hobbit!

 

[Tetsubo]

My wife and I enjoyed it though neither of was "wowed". It was good, the visuals are wonderful but it just seemed to be a tad flat. The fight scenes are good. I did like the take on Elves. My wife wants a member of the Golden Army. I think there are some great action figure potential with this film.

 

[Wormwood]

Anyway, it was definitely worth the price of admission and any fan of fantasy should find it entertaining.

This.

I feel that my first viewing suffered because of my unreasonably high expectations.

I'll be checking out again this week, just to be sure.

ps. Seth Macfarlane absolutely stole every scene he was in.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

ps. Seth Macfarlane absolutely stole every scene he was in.

"I tink I kan take you."
"I didn't hear you from way over there..."
"I zaid, I tink I kan take you."
...followed by shouting from the lockers.

 

[Fedifensor]

I'm going to have to disagree about Abe - having the same actor (Doug Jones) doing the body and voice work seemed to add something to the performance. I also liked them fleshing Abe out, as he was underutilized in the first film. I think David Hyde Pierce didn't mind being left out, because the performance really was Doug's from the beginning.

Liz (Selma's character) wasn't perfect, but she is supposed to be a bit disfunctional - heck, she chose to be committed to an institution in the first film. I think the actress is conveying that in the performance, and people are taking that as bad acting.

Johann was a surprise, not having read any of the comics featuring that character. I thought he was going to be the stereotypical stodgy, controlling jerk, but the locker scene changed all that. Seth Macfarlane did a wonderful job.

And, in case no one has mentioned it, Ron Perlman is still perfect for the role of Hellboy.

My wife could barely remember the first Hellboy, other than thinking it was "angsty". She really enjoyed this one - the character interactions really made the difference. I'm giving it two thumbs up...even though I could guess the ending a mile away.

 

[Mouseferatu]

My own thoughts, copied from my LJ:

Hellboy II is, on a visual level, possibly the most stunning movie I've ever seen.

On a movie level, I rate it as good, and a lot of fun, but not at all great. And while I believe I'm in the minority, I prefer the first one. I think the first one had better characterizations, and I just preferred the feel of the world. You won't find a bigger fantasy fan than I am, but I think "hidden occult evils" and "dark magical secrets in what otherwise looks like the real world" is just a much better fit for the Hellboy character and feel than blatant, out-and-out fantasy.

Also, the pacing was a bit off and slow in places.

But again, not saying the movie was bad by any means. I liked it a lot, and if you liked the first movie, or are a fantasy/supernatural action fan in general, I recommend seeing it. Heck, it really would be worth seeing just for the visuals and some of the performances. Just don't buy into the hype that it's everything the first one was but better.

 

[WayneLigon]

How awesome are the fey creatures and their realm? Lots to plunder for a Feywild 4e game?

The Troll Market scene is amazingly cool, and has very much that 'Goblin/Faeire market' feel I've seen in a few fantasy books.

 

[Traycor]

I was disappointed. The creatures were amazing and there were some really cool visuals, but pretty much every element of the script was horribly contrived. When the movie finished I am usually excited about a good movie and want to talk about it. After this I was kinda... meh...

Hands down the elf prince stole the show. Great actor and cool character. The big plant/elemental creature was simply amazing.

Love GDT and can't wait to see what he does with the creatures in The Hobbit.

 

[Krug]

I enjoyed it but wasn't blown away. Great creature and monster designs, no doubt, with the troll market probably one of the most fun bits since the Mos Eisley Cantina.

I think part of the problem was many of the scenes felt like they had been done before; [sblock]the dopey sing along, the saving-the-baby scene, even the connection b/w the twins.

[/sblock]

Not the summer's worst by any measure, but not the best either.

 

[S. Baldrick]

I saw it on Sunday and I thought it was pretty darn good. Good story with some awesome visuals. I liked it about as much as I liked the Hulk but not as much as I liked Iron Man. I would definitely give it a thumbs up.