Well, I must say that this sequel is a step up from the first movie, which is mainly due to the fact that it's characters and action are all better and even its visuals are more impressive. However it also still has some of the same problems of the first movie.
Even though I always enjoyed watching "Hellboy" you also have to be fair and say that the movie is really not without its flaws. This is also the case with "Hellboy II: The Golden Army". Sure, it's perfect simple entertainment and there is nothing wrong with that but its flaws prevent this movie from being a truly great and memorable movie from Guillermo del Toro.
Even though its an highly imaginative movie, it isn't a very original one to watch. Its story is pretty simple and really not that original. The only think that really still makes the movie great and original to watch are its characters and imaginative visuals from Guillermo del Toro, which has really become his trademark- and distinctive style. This is also the reason why people always praise his movies so highly but when you look deeper into this movie, you'll just have to say that it's not really a that great one.
Basically when you analyze the movie and its story, the movie is nothing more than the one action sequence after the other. Sure, there is very little wrong with the action but it often happens to quickly after the other previous action sequences and also ends too abruptly, causing some potential good and interesting characters to disappear out of the movie too quickly. Still the movie is given some more depth this time with its story, which means that the main characters themselves are more interesting this time. This especially goes for the Selma Blair and Jeffrey Tambor character.
Just like the first movie, this movie has a pretty awesome main villain but he also gets underused a bit. His motivations are too simple and not developed well enough into actions. Lets hope that in a possible sequel they also start to concentrate a bit more on its main villain, rather than just on its main heroes and putting in many more different new characters. It will give the movie some more substance.
Of course I still really enjoyed watching this movie but once you start to take away the movie its visual, very little will be left over from it and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" would had been a very simple and below average modern superhero movie. Thank God for Guillermo del Toro and his attempt- and passion for the franchise to still make the movie a visually great and entertaining one to watch. Also thank God for Ron Perlman, who simply is Hellboy and gives the character and movie so much extra.
7/10
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