Review of Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) by Xgary X — 22 Jan 2014

Much more a Del Toro film in style and scope than the original Hellboy offering, this sequel is the stuff of pure, unadulterated imagination. Just when you thought you'd seen it all the first go-round come more creatures of the night (and of the forest; and underground; and other dimensions - and especially - of machine).

One of Del Toro's finest works, ranking only behind Pan's Labyrinth in terms of visual awe. Perlman, again, is perfectly cast, with the amazing Doug Jones performing miracles yet again as fish-man Abe Sapien and a host of other creepy, spindly characters straight out of a fever dream.

Fantasy films rarely look better than this - and the story is far stronger this time around as well.