Reel Critic:

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is a phantasmagoric mix of monsters, mystery, magic and modern mythmaking. That one of these “monsters” happens to be the hero isn’t beside the point, it is the point. As the movie’s ad campaign lets us know, the big red guy with the horns and tail is the good guy. Welcome to the fantastical and wildly inventive cinematic world of writer-director Guillermo del Toro.

The world of myth and legend is in revolt against the ongoing encroachment of man. The militant Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) has declared war against man and seeks the power to awaken the titular and indestructible Golden Army. After a particularly nasty attack in New York City by a swarm of savage, razor-toothed beasties, Hellboy and his team are called in to investigate what has been going bump in the deep, dark, stormy night.

Hellboy, if you didn’t already know, is a wisecracking, kitten-loving, cigar-chomping, red-hued demon rescued by the Allies during World War II. He, along with his fellow supernatural misfits, Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a pyrokinetic, and Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), a water-breathing telepath, battle a variety of creatures for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.

Based on comic book characters created by Mike Mignola, “Hellboy II” operates under the assumption that the world’s myths and fairy tales are in fact true, and eons ago a pact was made between man and the many creatures of legend. Each side agreed that neither would intrude upon the other’s world. Now, the world of fable and myth is in danger of extinction due to mankind’s unknowing violation of the pact.

While the film has a basic plot that reads like many other comic book movies, bad guy wants to rule the world, that would be selling the film and visionary director del Toro far short of its ambitions and its success. Prince Nuada is the villain, but his motivations are clear and, at times, you might even find yourself cheering him on. Despite his ruthless actions, the Prince is a tragic figure.

These are full-bodied characters that just happen to be covered in colorful makeup and rubber. Ron Perlman in particular deserves credit for his strong performance underneath all the red makeup and appliances as the ever-entertaining Hellboy. Though certainly a sequel to the previous “Hellboy,” this incarnation feels like a spiritual continuation of del Toro’s brilliant Oscar-winning film “Pan’s Labyrinth,” which made similar use of fable and myth.

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is rich with cinematic imagery, heartfelt soul and a deep empathy for its many misshapen and melancholic creatures. Here, death and destruction come with a real-world price paid in blood, tears and sadly, extinction.

Guillermo del Toro has evolved into one of the world’s most exciting filmmakers, and I count myself as an ecstatic fan of his work. Make no mistake, del Toro’s films, be they horror, fantasy or even comic book adaptations, are pure pulp transformed into art.

?BOB HARRIS has been hooked on movies since he was 13 when his brother got a job in a multiplex and Bob saw all the movies he wanted for free.