si
Su Pollard
Bad Wolf! No biscuit!
Posts: 460
|
Post by si on Sept 3, 2004 10:53:32 GMT
Going to see it later.
heat gave it **** out of *****.
Am I setting myself up for a fall?
|
|
|
Post by JJ on Sept 3, 2004 17:09:36 GMT
Seeing it tommorow. It looks awesome, and the reviews I have read say it's very good, but overlong. Van Helsing and Underworld had the problem of being overlong.
|
|
|
Post by James & The Jaunty Nyasu Vibes on Sept 3, 2004 18:25:00 GMT
Van Helsing and Underworld had the problem of being overlong. If only that was the only problem with those two *pines* I haven't been to the cinema for aaaaaages, and i've been waiting very impatiently for this film since it came out 700 years ago in America. I really didn't think that happened to high-profile films anymore. Anyway, should be brilliant. Very very excited.
|
|
|
Post by Ezzie on Sept 3, 2004 19:31:53 GMT
What is it actually about?
|
|
|
Post by JJ on Sept 3, 2004 22:22:15 GMT
What is it actually about? *Vague plot synopsis* The Nazis somehow ressurect a demon child - Hellboy, his name - in World War II. Now in the 21 st Century, Hellboy is fully grown and fights crime, basically. Si can probably tell you more.
|
|
si
Su Pollard
Bad Wolf! No biscuit!
Posts: 460
|
Post by si on Sept 4, 2004 6:09:41 GMT
Yes, that's about it. I've never actually been a big fan of the comic but I'm aware of it, if you know what I mean? It's basically as JJ says, Ezzie -- special unit of the FBI which uses demons and superhumans to fight evil demons and evil superhumans. The screening was pretty packed out, being quite cultish and only the second day after release. I can't help thinking that if I was a big fan of the comic book, I'd've enjoyed it more... but at the same time, I probably would've been disappointed. I know that HB is Dark Horse, but I've always thought it to be a little more left field than it actually appeared to be on screen. Whereas Hollywood made X-Men darker for the screen version (ie no comedy primary colours in their outfits), it seems they made HB more mainstream in order to get a wider appeal. So yes, it was very good -- but only in comparison with the amount of dire superhero films/comic book adaptations released in the last few years ( The Punisher ran a trail before the film -- how bad?!). Things I liked: - Karl Kroenen was the best villain in film in ages. He was horrible! The set-up before the credits was too perfect -- I think they lost some of that comic book look as the film went on.
- Liz's You should be running... was the sort of campy-kick ass action lady moment which can make a film for me.
- The FX themselves, mostly with HB and Abe (who could've both looked horrendous) were awesome, especially when HB's horns grew back.
Things I wasn't so keen on: - To the uninitiated, the plot was all over the place. I can accept it all and enjoy the film without knowing the exact ins and outs, but they could've done a little more explaination about the evil squids in space. What was that thing that Rasputin turned into? The was in was set up and a good versus evil battle, and the way in which he kepy talking about his 'master', made me think Satan/whoever, but not a big squiggly worm thing.
- Rasputin -- not great. Kroenen was scarier, even Mrs Rasputin was scarier. He was just such a disappointment. Cool superpowers (kissing Liz, et cetera) but no charisma what-so-ever. The hell hounds weren't the most interesting of adversaries, either. Far too long spent on them.
- Finally... I think they waited too long in making this. I know the comic book's been around for yonks, but I think where HB suffered is the fact that we've seen all it had to offer before. This is all so niggley: Liz has something of the Jean Grey's about her, HB and Wolverine are really similar personality-wise. HB getting swallowed and fighting his way out was a bit Fray, too. Abe was brand new, really interesting to watch considering how bad the FX for fish-men in TV and film usually is (the seadevils?)... but was sorely under used. I don't know who did what first, but it was all a bit been there, seen that for me.
Oo, long list of dislikes. Don't get me wrong, do go and see this. Just don't expect to be totally blown away. A-
|
|
|
Post by JJ on Sept 4, 2004 17:55:56 GMT
I didn't really like it. It was far too long, and the plot didn't really make much sense. I know comic book baddies don't need to have a motive, but why did Rasputin want to destroy the world? The effects for Hellboy were good. That weird Nazi guy without eyelids and lips was super cool and should have been around more. I give it three stars. I might start reading the comic now.
But behind me were the most fucking annoying nine year olds possibly ever. They kept on shouting and when they spoke, they didn't whisper - they shouted at the top of their voices. They kept on rustling wrappers too. I swear they had enough food for the film's whole two hour running time. Bloody kids.
|
|
|
Post by James & The Jaunty Nyasu Vibes on Sept 4, 2004 21:34:34 GMT
I really liked a lot of things about it, but it felt like they didn't have enough time/money to hone the film around the best parts, and that's totally right in Abe's case as he was supposed to fight Kroenen in the finale, but they couldnt afford all that fish make-up.
Boo! The hounds looked a bit daft.
Yay! The "Ghostbusters" tone of the first mission.
Yay! Hellboy was watching Liz's date! Yeeee.
Yay! Big Lovecraft tentacles/space demons.
Boo! Not enough Liz, by a long shot. I really felt like they had gotten her spot on, I really wanted to see her more.
|
|