Hellboy - the Movie

[fpw]

I was offered passes to a screening Wednesday night. I think I'll go. I met Mike Mignola when he was Artist GoH at NECon a few years back, and like him. Like the comic too. The trailer looks great. I'll report back after I've seen it.

[Barry Lee Dejasu]

FPW--

I sure hope you enjoy the movie. I am quite looking forward to it, myself; I've been reading every Hellboy/B.P.R.D. comic I could lately, and they have become my favorite current comic (or really just any comic, ever).

Guillermo Del Toro is a great director, and I know he's going to great with this movie, I just know it.

Okay, end of ramble.

[Bluesman Mike Lindner]

FPW--

I sure hope you enjoy the movie. I am quite looking forward to it, myself; I've been reading every Hellboy/B.P.R.D. comic I could lately, and they have become my favorite current comic (or really just any comic, ever).

Guillermo Del Toro is a great director, and I know he's going to great with this movie, I just know it.

Okay, end of ramble.
I hope you're right, Barry, but for some reason far beyond me, comics just don't seem to translate to film. THE HULK stank on ice, DAREDEVIL was a big disappointment , and even SPIDER MAN could have been better. Gotta admit, though, the X-MEN flicks weren't bad. So maybe there's hope HELLBOY will make the grade.

[AsMoral]

I hope you're right, Barry, but for some reason far beyond me, comics just don't seem to translate to film. THE HULK stank on ice, DAREDEVIL was a big disappointment , and even SPIDER MAN could have been better. Gotta admit, though, the X-MEN flicks weren't bad. So maybe there's hope HELLBOY will make the grade.

I liked the HULK. I realize that I might be the only one who enjoyed it. Even if it was long-winded, boring and the HULK looked ridiculous. I guess it appealed to the B-Movie enthusiast in me.

SPIDER-MAN could have been better yes, but it was still an incredible transition from page to screen. The sequel comes out at the end of June, so here is hoping that it gets right to the action. I liked the X-Men films too, very enjoyable and well done.

The Punisher actually looks very good.

Comic films are getting much better than they were in the 80's and earlier. They are now taken more seriously and given actual budgets from which to work. They attract big names for directors and actors.

Compare recent comic book films to what has come to pass. Remember the horrible Spider-Man from the 70's with Nicholas Hammond? And the made for TV Captain America movies? Let's not forget the Captain America Movie that was made in the 90's with Matt Salinger (Who is he? JD's son, but does that automatically mean he should act? no.) Anyone remember The Punisher featuring Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett, JR?

With crap like Daredevil being made we can only hope that there are more X-Men and Blade successes before Comic-book films get laughed out of style.

Now, lets get The watchmen made into a film and we can all die happy.

-Tony

[Scott Hajek]

Now, lets get The watchmen made into a film and we can all die happy.
-Tony
And, let's hope that Terry Gilliam gets to do "Watchmen" the way he wanted. The existing script that is floating around by Sam Hamm is not that great.

[Barry Lee Dejasu]

I hope you're right, Barry, but for some reason far beyond me, comics just don't seem to translate to film. THE HULK stank on ice, DAREDEVIL was a big disappointment , and even SPIDER MAN could have been better. Gotta admit, though, the X-MEN flicks weren't bad. So maybe there's hope HELLBOY will make the grade.

Oh, there's hope. Just look at BLADE.

[nijimeijer]

Oh, there's hope. Just look at BLADE.

No, no, he wanted good examples, like Blade II. :D

My theory is that the Marvel movies looked at what made the first Reeves Superman movie so awesome, and what made the later DC movies ass.

Superman made you actually care about Clark Kent. When his pop died, you cared. So when he became Superman, you cared. The Batman movies didn't make you care whatsoever about Bruce Wayne.

But the new Marvel movies? You actually give something of a damn for the characters when they aren't in costume. Good stuff.

[fpw]

Well, just got back from the screening. Hellboy was...okay. Lot--LOTS--of good stuff (especially the opening sequence in WWII), but then too much of some other stuff. They crammed an awful lot into 2 hours, and I think a lot of the glue wound up cut. That might explain the plot holes.

A fun popcorn movie. Reminded me a little of Ghostbusters in tone (without going totally surreal a la the marshmallow guy).

More tomorrow.

[fpw]

More tomorrow.

Okay. It's tomorrow. I think I would have liked the film better if I'd been a little more engaged. A little less attitude and a little more angst on Hellboy's part might have done the trick for me.

[Matthew Smith]

I'm going to see it this weekend, but all the reviews I've read have complained that the plot is a little flimsy. But most reviewers gave it decent marks despite that.

Interestingly, most of the comic book sites that have reviewed it so far haven't complained about any changes made in the story and characters for the movie version. They're usually all over that.

--Matthew

[Jay #1]

*snort* Leage of Extraordinary Gentlemen had an entirely different storyline from the Comic series too. Never complained though.

I'm going to see it this weekend, but all the reviews I've read have complained that the plot is a little flimsy. But most reviewers gave it decent marks despite that.

Interestingly, most of the comic book sites that have reviewed it so far haven't complained about any changes made in the story and characters for the movie version. They're usually all over that.

--Matthew

[jimbow8]

You never complained about LXG? Why not? What was there to not complain about?

[Jay #1]

Well, besides the automatic weapons and a fast car, it was excellent. The vampire was especially good. Story on her was better than her counterpart in the comic, in my personal opinion. Also, A small part of me at one point wondered whatever happened to Tom Sawyer. So I was glad to see him in the movie. Also, while I liked the comic series, the movie was less graphic than certain parts. Example: The Invisible man went around in the comics catching women in bordellos by surprise and having sex with them, getting them pregnant sometimes. Granted, the story didn't have them complaining about it. Actually portrayed them as enjoying it, but that's beside the point.

Both movie and comic had their merits, and disadvantages. Why spend days on end complaining. *grin*

You never complained about LXG? Why not? What was there to not complain about?

[Matthew Smith]

I saw "LXG" with a couple of comic book professionals and my wife. The comic book people were horrified by the movie, but my wife loved it. I think what it came down to was, if you knew the comic, the movie was a real dissapointment, but if you didn't have that baggage going in, the movie was fine. I think "From Hell" was the same way. I don't know too many fans of the original book that liked the movie very much. I'm sure some did, but not the ones I've talked to about it.

--Matthew

[jimbow8]

I read neither the LXG comic nor the From Hell book. I liked From Hell quite a bit, mainly because Depp can do almost no wrong. LXG, however, I thought was horrible. I couldn't even finish it.

[Gerald Rice]

I liked the HULK. I realize that I might be the only one who enjoyed it. Even if it was long-winded, boring and the HULK looked ridiculous. I guess it appealed to the B-Movie enthusiast in me.

SPIDER-MAN could have been better yes, but it was still an incredible transition from page to screen. The sequel comes out at the end of June, so here is hoping that it gets right to the action. I liked the X-Men films too, very enjoyable and well done.

The Punisher actually looks very good.

Comic films are getting much better than they were in the 80's and earlier. They are now taken more seriously and given actual budgets from which to work. They attract big names for directors and actors.

Compare recent comic book films to what has come to pass. Remember the horrible Spider-Man from the 70's with Nicholas Hammond? And the made for TV Captain America movies? Let's not forget the Captain America Movie that was made in the 90's with Matt Salinger (Who is he? JD's son, but does that automatically mean he should act? no.) Anyone remember The Punisher featuring Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett, JR?

With crap like Daredevil being made we can only hope that there are more X-Men and Blade successes before Comic-book films get laughed out of style.

Now, lets get The watchmen made into a film and we can all die happy.

-Tony

Tony, you are not alone. I enjoyed The Hulk. I thought it had a good story. The only problem I can see was it didn't have enough action to please the average comic fan. I think if they'd used the same kind of CG they used for Mr. Hyde in LOEG he would've looked more real.

[Matthew Smith]

I actually ran into the screenwriter the day after I saw "LXG". His first words were "I'm sorry." I think he was just being flippant.

There were a lot of things that I liked about the movie. The action scenes in particular were a lot of fun, but I think the whole thing suffered from some real pacing problems. It was reported that after the director (Stephen Norrington) turned in his final cut, Sean Connery re-edited the film himself. I don't know if that's actually true or not, but pacing has always been one of Norrington's strengths, so I was surprised that "LXG" was so uneven.

My all-time favorite comic book movie remains "the Rocketeer". It's an amazingly well-constructed film, despite the fact that they took some real liberties with the source material. The character played by Jennifer Connelly in the film is a fill-in for a character who is more or less cult model Bettie Page in the comic. They toned all of that down for the movie. Still works though. And you've got to love that cool-looking helmet.

--Matthew

[Biggles]

I saw "LXG" with a couple of comic book professionals and my wife. The comic book people were horrified by the movie, but my wife loved it. I think what it came down to was, if you knew the comic, the movie was a real dissapointment, but if you didn't have that baggage going in, the movie was fine. I think "From Hell" was the same way. I don't know too many fans of the original book that liked the movie very much. I'm sure some did, but not the ones I've talked to about it.

--Matthew

I found myself unable to ignore all of the anachronisms in LXG. Being unfamiliar with the comic, I wondered when I saw the WWI era tank and the post-WWII era assault rifles whether it involved time travel. When I found out that it didn't, it was just too absurd. And TOW missiles? Give me a break. I told my wife that it would be more believable that people could travel through time and bring back the technology than that it existed at the time depicted.

[fpw]

My all-time favorite comic book movie remains "the Rocketeer"...And you've got to love that cool-looking helmet.

YES! I was crazy about the series -- my first exposure to Dave Stevens -- and haunted CBG for news that the next installment was out. The film was a wonderful period thriller. I like it enough to have bought a copy.

I love the part when he's trying out the rocket pack and loses control; he ends up skimming across a pond like a stone to end up covered in mud and weeds. He stands, pulls off the (yes, very cool) helmet and says, "I like it!"

And I don't think Jennifer Connolly has ever looked more beautiful than in The Rocketeer.

[Scott Hajek]

YES! I was crazy about the series -- my first exposure to Dave Stevens -- and haunted CBG for news that the next installment was out. The film was a wonderful period thriller. I like it enough to have bought a copy.

I love the part when he's trying out the rocket pack and loses control; he ends up skimming across a pond like a stone to end up covered in mud and weeds. He stands, pulls off the (yes, very cool) helmet and says, "I like it!"

And I don't think Jennifer Connolly has ever looked more beautiful than in The Rocketeer.
This series is one of the best in comics.

Regarding the helmet: The movie producers wanted the helmet to show more of the actors face. Dave Stevens was adamant about the helmet being true to the comic and had one constructed himself... fortunately they went with the real helmet.

It's just too bad they didn't have the cheesecake in the movie... maybe then it would have done better.

[Ken Valentine]

You never complained about LXG? Why not? What was there to not complain about?

You never complained about Starship Troopers. :D

Ken V. - (ducking and running)

[jimbow8]

You never complained about Starship Troopers. :D

Ken V. - (ducking and running)
You better duck and run! ;)

It's not like it's my favorite movie ever!

[Dave]

YES! I was crazy about the series -- my first exposure to Dave Stevens -- and haunted CBG for news that the next installment was out. The film was a wonderful period thriller. I like it enough to have bought a copy.

I love the part when he's trying out the rocket pack and loses control; he ends up skimming across a pond like a stone to end up covered in mud and weeds. He stands, pulls off the (yes, very cool) helmet and says, "I like it!"

And I don't think Jennifer Connolly has ever looked more beautiful than in The Rocketeer.

I agree whole heartedly about the movie, and Miss Connelly. I think I fell in love with her having seen that movie. If only I'd known she was into geeky looking Englishmen, I would have become an actor.

I've got the film on video, but I'm waiting for a good edition to come out on DVD before I purchase it, the current version in the UK is just bare bones. Does anyone know if the US version has extras?

Dave

[fpw]

A Hollywood friend of mine just saw the film and dubbed it "Heckboy."

[Bluesman Mike Lindner]

Haw! Ain't that nice!

[Matthew Smith]

I've got the film on video, but I'm waiting for a good edition to come out on DVD before I purchase it, the current version in the UK is just bare bones. Does anyone know if the US version has extras?

Dave

The American dvd of "the Rocketeer" is as bare bones as it gets, I'm afraid. It has the movie and that's it. I doubt they have any plans for a special edition. Though I'd buy a copy if they ever did.

--Matthew

[Jay #1]

Better than horn boy as a friend of mine called it.

A Hollywood friend of mine just saw the film and dubbed it "Heckboy."

[Barry Lee Dejasu]

[QUOTE=fpw][SIZE=3]Well, just got back from the screening. Hellboy was...okay. Lot--LOTS--of good stuff (especially the opening sequence in WWII), but then too much of some other stuff. They crammed an awful lot into 2 hours, and I think a lot of the glue wound up cut. That might explain the plot holes.

I agree 100%. I was hoping the movie would have been much better than it was ultimately. A lot of the fight scenes were very anti-climatic...like at the end,

SPOILERS-SPOILERS-SPOILERS-SPOILERS-SPOILERS

when Hellboy was swallowed by the beast that emerged from Rasputin's body, and then blew up the grenades...it was just too rushed. In fact, I'd say that there wasn't too much trying to be crammed into the movie; I'd say there was too little. There could have been so many more examples of the kinds of things Hellboy runs into (I mean, he's run into ghosts, aliens, goblins, vampires, gods from various religions/parts of the world, etc. Here it is mostly just self-contained mythos being referred to/used as plot devices.

Then again, X-MEN had its flaws, yet was still good. X2 was better...maybe another HELLBOY would be good.

If there could only be a way to adapt WAKE THE DEVIL. Now THERE's an episode that would make a KICKASS movie.

All in all, I give it 3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

[Lisa]

Barry, you really didn't need to put 100 "SPOILER" warnings in. :p Five is more than enough. For the sake of our eyes, I edited your post.

Lisa

[Barry Lee Dejasu]

Barry, you really didn't need to put 100 "SPOILER" warnings in. :p Five is more than enough. For the sake of our eyes, I edited your post.

Lisa

Yeah, but I've typed a simple "SPOILERS!" thing five times before for something, and people complained that it wasn't enough, so...I thought I was doing the right thing.

Man, this was practically my first "real" post on this new board, and already I'm screwing things up. :(

[Lisa]

Man, this was practically my first "real" post on this new board, and already I'm screwing things up. :(

It's okay, Barry. I mostly deleted it because the message board software was reading your connected spoiler warning as one word and streeeeeeeetching out the display. Next time just write it this way:

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

etc...

:D

Lisa

[Bluesman Mike Lindner]

You'll find the more you post, the worse things get in that regard. Take it from one who knows. Shame and disgrace are now my unhappy lot. It will be yours. too. :D

[Dave]

The American dvd of "the Rocketeer" is as bare bones as it gets, I'm afraid. It has the movie and that's it. I doubt they have any plans for a special edition. Though I'd buy a copy if they ever did.

--Matthew

Thanks Matthew, here's hoping someone does something special with it one day.

Dave

[jimbow8]

Okay. It's tomorrow. I think I would have liked the film better if I'd been a little more engaged. A little less attitude and a little more angst on Hellboy's part might have done the trick for me.
I agree with fpw. It was merely ok. I didn't really get any sense for the characters and their motivations. We didn't ever really learn why Hellboy fought against evil, or why Abe Sapien was involved or had his powers, or who the Kroenen character was or what his powers were (anything about him for that matter). I think the movie had too much stuff that could only be understood by people who've read the comics. I have not.

[Matthew Smith]

We didn't ever really learn why Hellboy fought against evil, or why Abe Sapien was involved or had his powers, or who the Kroenen character was or what his powers were (anything about him for that matter). I think the movie had too much stuff that could only be understood by people who've read the comics.

Actually, you don't get a lot of that kind of information in the comic book, either. The focus is more on the visuals and the action than anything else. You pick up some character stuff as the stories race along, but a lot of it is still unrevealed.

--Matthew

[Barry Lee Dejasu]

[QUOTE=Matthew Smith]Actually, you don't get a lot of that kind of information in the comic book, either. The focus is more on the visuals and the action than anything else. You pick up some character stuff as the stories race along, but a lot of it is still unrevealed.

Not really the action, either. Most of those scenes were just wam, bam, goodbye monster/bad guy; couldn't there have been more of a "fight" in the fight scenes?

[Grimjack]

I guess I am in the minority (so long as it ISN'T the 'Minority Report') because I truly enjoyed The Hulk. Since I have all the Hulk comics since he split from sharing a book with the Sub-Mariner way back in issue #102. (This includes both issues with the appearance of Wolverine).

Knowing well in advance I didn't want to see a Hulk 'wimped down' like the TV show. Don't get me wrong though, I adored that series, but the Hulk was simply not strong enough. I easily looked past the computer graphics to 'see' the true Hulk inside. Of course seeing him toss those tanks like they were a frisbee was quite a plus.

Like most others posting, I agree that Hollywood is taking better care of comics to make them more acceptable to fans. Movies like Spiderman, the first Blade, and of course The X-Men franchise (which I truly do hope the third one will do a good job of creating The Phoenix Saga or perhaps they will do a classic comic book storyline and leave the end hanging - so you have to buy the next 'issue') However, I feel you have to overlook some things (like Wolverine being as tall, or taller, than Storm) and just enjoy the film. Afterall, it is basically a means of escaping reality for a short time, isn't it?

For me though, I think I will save my movie money for special films like Spiderman, X-Man and of course....REPAIRMAN JACK ! ! !

[Matthew Smith]

It's official. It was announced this morning that a sequel to "Hellboy" has been greenlit.

--Matthew