High expectations for Hellboy 2 given the talented director and characters from the original film. However Del Toro really makes a mess of this sequel and loses some of his trademark visual inspiration.
Things start off badly with the young Hellboy but come back strong with the auction house sequence. After that its all downhill, with the Giants Causeway almost relegated to nothing, when it could have made for a fantastic location.
Too many characters and elements are thrown into the melting pot. A singing scene almost had me rushing to the exit, but I stayed with Hellboy 2 until the bitter end. And what about that ending - did they run out of budget?
Good to look at, wonderful soundtrack, & hugely enjoyable on a mid-brain level. If you're after deep characterisation, discussion of important human (or monster) issues or anything in fact to mark it out from any other comic book adaption look elsewhere. The only reason for its existence is to make money for all concerned- but if studios have no money then how are the more artistic films ever going to be made?
Disappointing plot, ridiculous evil elves, failed to engage, switched it off after 20 minutes.