| Little Big Planet |   |
|
|
| Motorstorm - Pacific Rift |   |
|
|
|
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army [Blu-ray] [2008] | ![Hellboy 2: The Golden Army [Blu-ray] [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S8iJSf7TL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Actors: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, James Dodd, Jeffrey Tambor
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Category: DVD
List Price: £24.99
Buy New: £13.98
You Save: £11.01 (44%)
New (5) Used (1) from £13.82
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 37
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Media: Blu-ray
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 115
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050582587807
ASIN: B001G136LC
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: December 8, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, James Dodd, Jeffrey Tambor
Amazon.co.uk Review
The feverish Hellboy 2: The Golden Army is a very busy sequel that might have looked unhinged in the hands of a less visionary director than Guillermo del Toro. Ron Perlman returns as Hellboy, aka "Red," the Dark Horse Comics demon-hero with roots in the mythical world but personal ties in the human realm. Still working, as he was in Hellboy, for a secret department of the federal government that deals (as in "Men In Black") with forces of the fantastic, Red and his colleagues take on a royal elf (Luke Goss) determined to smash a longtime truce between mankind and the forces of magic. Meanwhile, Red's relationship with girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), who can burst into flames at will, is going through a rocky stage observed by Red's fishy friend Abe (Doug Jones), himself struck by love in this film. Del Toro brilliantly integrates the ordinary and extraordinary, diving into an extended scene set in a troll market barely hidden behind the facade of typical city streets. He also unleashes a forest monster that devastates an urban neighborhood, but then--interestingly--brings a luminous beauty to the same area as the creature (an "elemental") succumbs to a terrible death. Del Toro's art direction proves masterful, too, in a climactic battle set in a clockworks-like stronghold tucked away in rugged Irish landscape. But it's really the juxtaposition of visual marvels with not-so-unusual relationship issues that gives Hellboy 2 a certain jaunty appeal hard to find in other superhero movies. --Tom Keogh
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Let me remind you why you once feared the dark September 25, 2008
16 out of 21 found this review helpful
Guillermo Del Toro has become the new master of dark fantasy -- first with the quirky clockpunk "Hellboy," then with the Oscar-winning "Pan's Labyrinth." Not to mention forthcoming travels to Middle-Earth.
So you know he has the skills to pit Mike Mignola's scarlet anti-hero against an army of fairies and elves, and not make it silly. Instead, it's a spectacular dark fantasy full of humor, action, quirky appeal, romance, and some truly astounding special effects. But what really shoves this movie over the top is Del Toro's brilliant direction, and the stunning performance by Ron Perlman.
Decades ago, Professor Broom (William Hurt) told a small Hellboy a yuletide bedtime story about the Elf King Balor and his unstoppable Golden Army, and how the crown that controls the Army was split into thirds and divided among fairies and humans.
Well, you can't really expect that kind of power to never be revived.
Cut to current day. Hellboy (Perlman), Liz (Selma Blair) and Abe (Doug Jones) investigate a strange supernatural attack on an auction house, where the archeological curiosity known as the Crown of Bethmoora was being sold -- only to be attacked by savage tooth fairies. Turns out the crown was stolen by Prince Nuada (Luke Goss), a resentful young elf who is determined to take the world back from humanity -- using, of course, the Golden Army.
And while Hellboy chafes against strict new commander Johann Krauss (a suit filled with ectoplasm), Abe encounters Nuada's sister, Princess Nuala -- who also happens to have the last third of the crown. But Nuada will not allow anyone to oppose him as he searches for the Golden Army's location, and Hellboy and his friends must venture into a strange, ancient kingdom to stop him from destroying all of humanity.
The worst you can say about "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is that it sticks to the formula of the demonic outsider with a dark destiny, and his continuing romantic woes. There's some retreading as Hellboy realizes anew that he'll never fit into the world of humans, because he's big and red and has horns and a tail. Okay, we got it. Next big psychological issue!
Fortunately those flaws are relatively minor ones. Del Toro is still able to spin a dark, twisted story with some truly bizarre creatures (the utterly alien, eye-winged Angel of Death), clockpunk robots, trippy underground goblin markets and a new BPRD agent who is basically ectoplasm in a suit. And for the action scenes, Del Toro does not pull punches when it comes to the smashing action scenes -- giant thrashing vines and a one-on-one duel with Nuada are among the highlights.
With all this going on, it would be easy to neglect the characters. But Del Toro packs the script with solid snappy dialogue and some poignantly romantic moments -- including some pretty startling actions from dear ol' Abe. And he also adds little moments to this epic story that remind us that these are supposed to be people -- such as Hellboy's bickering with Krauss, or Abe and Hellboy getting drunk and having a little Manilow singalong together. It's just so cute.
But what really sets this movie apart is the "children of the Earth." No flitting Victorian sprites -- these are creatures that are weird, grotesque, dangerous and immensely powerful, from nasty little tooth fairies up to vast rock monsters and plant gods. There's an alien, bizarre aesthetic to these creatures that feels wholly real, as if Neil Gaiman casually dropped a few sketches onto the drawing board.
But as amazing as the visuals are, Del Toro never neglects the characters. Perlman is perfect for the role of "big Red" -- he's gruff, sarcastic, moody, but also endearing and self-deprecatingly likable. There are more hints of his potentially dark future, and he faces some delicately-handed temptations. But Big Red's good heart is still very much in the forefront, no matter how much human beings fear him.
Blair gives a more lively performance here as a spunkier Liz, who also has some surprising developments in store. Jones is pitch-perfect as the fish-man, who experiences the first pangs of young love for Nuala, while Goss gives a chilling, whispery performance as a rebel prince who is willing to do whatever it takes -- even kill family -- if it helps him restore the fey kingdom. Pretty good villain, since he clearly isn't trying to be bad.
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is a wild, darkly ornate ride through the world of half-forgotten gods and fey. While it has a few flaws, those are far outweighed by the brilliant of Del Toro's vision.
You won't be disappointed December 8, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Having been an avid fan of Mignola's books of Hellboy I was pretty disappointed with the first film. It had so many good bits but on the whole it just didn't deliver. And it didn't live up to del Toro's amazing creativity, which in some ways was worse.
But Hellboy 2 is the film the fans were waiting for and hopefully one that will create new converts! Anyone who's marvelled at Pan's Labyrinth will see the director's magical touch all over this film. Sure, there's touches of Men in Black and that's not necessarily a bad thing but if you look at the film as a whole it is fantastic.
There are a couple of scenes that are pretty cheesy and the acting looks a bit laboured but they don't detract from the film. And fans of the books will enjoy seeing what's been taken out from various stories and melded together for the better and worse. It's a much happier alliance than the first film's mangled story line.
One last thing though; has Hellboy shrunk?
hellboy is back! December 29, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The clarity of the picture is brilliant on blue ray. The film is entertaing and passes the time quickly. Good acting and enjoyable to watch. If you like comic book heroes then get this film, you will not be disappointed.
Great sequel again from Del Toro December 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I can see now why Del Toro turned down so many projects to direct this movie. The story is excellent with themes of belonging and self-sacrifice throughout. The action is of course top-notch and the acting, especially from the leads, is again good. If you enjoyed the first you'll enjoy this one.
Hope Del Toro does the final film in the trilogy
 The Sequel is better then the original!!! October 28, 2008
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
Every so often a sequel comes along which is head and shoulders above the original. This proves the case.
Hellboy II is far superior to Hellboy. Better story, acting and far more laughs. Its a comic book story told the way comic book stories should be with action, great graphics, romance and humour. I love the ugly super-hero idea. Hellboy II doesn't disappoint and I bet you that after watching the film you too will be sing Barry Manilow songs.
I can only hope that Hellboy III follows the improving trend.
|
|
|
| | PS3 Blog Feed | |
xbox 360 download sites
All Xbox 360 gamers re-unite! New year is just around the corner and guess what' I’ve j ...
read the full story (--)
xbox 360 game download
All Xbox 360 gamers re-unite! New year is arriving and guess what' I’ve just listed the ...
read the full story (--)
download xbox 360 games
All Xbox 360 gamers re-unite! New year is arriving and guess what' I've just compiled ...
read the full story (--)
TNA Impact-Leave the ring gameplay
If you want to download unlimited Wii games, it is easy to find a place that o ...
read the full story (--)
|
|
|
|
