HELLBOY (2004) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Review & Discussion | Ron Perlman | Selma Blair
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Ron Perlman perfectly embodies Hellboy, delivering a comical and adorable yet powerful performance.
- ❖The CGI and makeup in 'Hellboy' (2004) are surprisingly good and impressive for the film's release year.
- ❖The hosts found the film's first half more enjoyable due to the presence of key supporting characters like Professor Broom and Abe Sapien.
- ❖Some plot points, such as the initial emergence of creatures and the resolution of Liz's soul, were unclear to first-time viewers.
- ❖The film successfully blends action, humor, and a unique aesthetic, making it a fun watch despite minor narrative ambiguities.
Insights
1Ron Perlman's Definitive Hellboy Portrayal
The hosts consistently praise Ron Perlman's performance, noting his ability to make Hellboy both intimidating and endearing. They describe him as 'comical,' 'cute and adorable in a weird way,' and embodying 'Hulk vibes' alongside a 'sumo hairdo,' highlighting the unique blend of characteristics Perlman brought to the role.
Brandon states, 'I like Ron Perlman. I think he played that part perfectly.' Chris adds, 'I thought he was kind of comical. Like he was kind of like cute and adorable in a weird way.'
2Impressive 2004 CGI and Practical Effects
Despite being a 2004 film, the hosts are genuinely impressed by the quality of the CGI and practical effects, particularly in action sequences like the train fight and the detailed character designs of Hellboy and Abe Sapien. They acknowledge that while some moments show their age, the overall visual execution is strong.
Chris remarks, 'Gosh, this is pretty impressive CG for 2004. It is. It looks really good.' Brandon later adds, 'I thought for 2004 the CG was pretty good. There were a couple scenes where I was like, you know, but it's 04. I mean, yeah. Yeah. It's okay.'
3Narrative Clarity Issues for First-Time Viewers
The hosts, watching for the first time, struggled with the clarity of certain plot developments. They express confusion about the origins of some creatures, the precise timeline of events, and the mechanics of Liz Sherman's soul being taken and returned, suggesting that some exposition was either missed or underdeveloped.
Brandon notes, 'There were a couple of things where I thought could have been explained a little bit better. Like when he popped in from the other side in the beginning, I'm like kind of like where when did he come through?' Chris agrees, 'I felt like it maybe could have been a little cleaner somehow.'
4Strong Supporting Character Appeal
The hosts found themselves drawn to several supporting characters, including Professor Broom and Abe Sapien. They express disappointment when Professor Broom's character is killed off, indicating that these characters added significant value and enjoyment to the film's first half.
Chris states, 'I really enjoyed some of the characters in the first half that we didn't really see in the second half like his father um where he died you know but and then the um the water dude.'
Lessons
- Watch 'Hellboy' (2004) to experience a superhero film praised for its unique character portrayal and impressive visual effects for its era.
- Consider watching 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army' or the 2019 reboot to compare different interpretations and continuations of the character.
- Engage in discussions with other fans to clarify plot points or character motivations that might seem ambiguous on a first viewing.
Notable Moments
Initial reaction to baby Hellboy's cuteness and the 'Baby Ruth' candy bar scene.
This scene immediately establishes Hellboy's unique origin and the film's blend of dark fantasy with unexpected humor, setting the tone for his character.
The hosts' surprise and appreciation for the CGI quality during the library fight sequence and the train scene.
It highlights the film's technical achievements for its time, demonstrating how effective visual effects can enhance a movie's impact even years later.
The hosts' confusion and discussion around the 'space fish' and its connection to Hellboy's origin.
This points to potential areas of narrative ambiguity that a first-time viewer might encounter, indicating where the film's exposition could have been clearer.
Their enjoyment of Hellboy spying on Liz and Myers' date, calling it 'funny' and 'cute.'
This moment showcases the film's successful integration of character-driven humor and Hellboy's relatable, albeit monstrous, emotional depth.
Quotes
"Gosh, this is pretty impressive CG for 2004. It is. It looks really good."
"I like Ron Pearlman. I think he played that part perfectly."
"There were a couple of things where I thought could have been explained a little bit better."
"I really enjoyed some of the characters in the first half that we didn't really see in the second half like his father um where he died you know but and then the um the water dude."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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