Hellboy II

The big red guy is back with his ‘right hand of doom’ and he is in fine form.

Hellboy was a surprise hit in 2004 when the comic adaptation was first brought to the screen.

Guillermo del Toro successfully took the mix of action, quirkiness and humour that the Hellboy comic book was known for and turned it into a visually stunning and thoroughly enjoyable film.

In Hellboy we were first introduced to the title character’s deadpan, anti-hero persona. We were also filled on his origin - ‘born in the flames of hell’ during World War II and summoned to earth by an evil madman.

However, the young, ‘cute’, little demon Hellboy was discovered by the Allied Forces before he could do any harm and was recruited by the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) to help investigate and fight against supernatural and other-worldly invaders.

So, Hellboy II kicks off assuming viewers are aware of this background. It also quickly establishes the mythical history that there was once a truce made between humankind and the original sons of the Earth – mythical creatures that now live in the underworld, allowing the humans to inhabit the Earth’s surface.

The anarchical underworld Prince Nuada (played by Luke Goss, one of the twins from British 80s boy-band Bros – I kid you not!) has grown weary of centuries of deference to mankind, so he plots to awaken a long-dormant army of killing machines – known as the Golden Army – that will return what belongs to his people. He seeks to give all magical creatures the freedom to roam the Earth again.

The sequel tops the first in its amazing visuals. Del Toro’s work on triple-Academy Award-winning Pan’s Labyrinth seems to have put him on a trajectory where he is increasingly interested in bringing fantastical looking creatures to the screen more than anything else. His creature creations make him like a Jim Henson for adults. In fact, one scene, which is set in an underworld market place, is reminiscent of the Cantina scene in Star Wars with its wide variety of other-worldly beings.

But back to the main plot of Hellboy II. Prince Nubla sees humans abusing their dominion over the Earth and it grieves him. He observes the crass commercialism that permeates every part of the modern American city and it disgusts him.

The filmmaker’s observation that humans have made a mess of things on earth is becoming a more and more common theme in films, and a less and less profound insight. However, this does not take away from the truth of the observation. According to Genesis 1 and 2, humankind is given dominion over the Earth by God and told to subdue it. However, from Genesis 3 onwards, we see man fail to consistently obey this command. Modern society and the state of the environment is clear evidence of this.

Prince Nubla’s perspective in Hellboy II is a comment on this fallen state of humanity. It is also important to remember that it is our selfishness, and more deeply, our sinfulness, that is the root cause of this situation.

While the film does not directly refer to the God of the Bible who wants obedience and offers forgiveness, the discerning viewer will be reminded that as humans we do fall short and don’t live as we ought.

In Hellboy II it is up to heroes like Hellboy and the BRPD to solve the problems by warding off Prince Nubla and his evil Golden Army. As viewers, we are, of course, pleased when they predictably save the day.

However, the evil actions of the prince do not take away from the truth of what he has observed about humanity. In fact, upon reflection, humans are not really forced to change anything about the way they live. There is no recognition of their wrongs and there is certainly no repentance. 

Even Hellboy who saves the humans is still treated as a freak and outsider. He is both feared and mocked by the very victims he protects and rescues, including the mother of a baby that he valiantly holds in his tail while he bravely wards of a large garden monster (which has to be seen to be believed).

At the risk of allegorising, a Christian can find parallels between the story of Hellboy and Jesus.

Hellboy is an unlikely hero, brought into the world as an outsider and being of a different kind to humanity. Yet Hellboy chooses to save them and do what’s right even amid the mocking and scorn.

Christ came to Earth on a mission to save humanity by paying the price required by God for our rebellion against him. As Christ walked the Earth there were those who mocked him and sought to kill him because he was perceived as threat to them, even though he came to be their salvation. Jesus even appropriates the words of Psalm 118 for himself when he says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”.

In the context of Hellboy II Hellboy does display the markings of a true hero, despite his cigar-smoking, beer drinking, lazy lug exterior.

When he is tempted by Prince Nubla to join his side he firmly rejects him. He is tempted, but he rejects him. Even after Prince Nubla points out that Hellboy has a lot more in common with the him and the other-worldly creatures than the humans he strives to protect, Hellboy’s conscience and sense of duty leads him to make the right choice.

Hellboy II works at a number of levels. The basics of good morality are there. As viewers we are called to sympathise with the albeit flawed but nonetheless ‘good guy’. The film also forces us to question ourselves as a human race and honestly examine ourselves and our failures.

More superficially, Hellboy II offers an unconventional take on the superhero genre due to the colourful mix of monsters and the equal parts humorous, rambunctious, good bloke and deadpan nature of Hellboy. Also, like The Dark Knight which was powerful psychological drama first and a super hero story second, this film, with its humour, is also one which will appeal to people who might not normally enjoy the super hero genre.