Luckily before this film came out I was already a fan of Mike Mignola's Hellboy, having read most of the graphic novels that were out there. The stories are often well written, pulp adventures with moody art, featuring lots of solid blacks, and strong primary colors. The film is based on a combination of the first two books - Seed of Destruction and Right Hand of Doom.

After a short introduction that quickly explains Hellboy's origins, as well as introducing the villains, it fastforwards to present day. Introducing Agent Meyers (a new character not in the books), who has been selected to work as Hellboy's liason. Professor Broom is old and sick, and is grooming a replacement. Abe Sapien is the red monkey's sidekick, as well as Liz Sherman, a pyrokinetic love interest. Events set in motion by the recently returned villains, Ilsa the immortal nazi she-bitch, Kronen a nazi scientist with a body modification fetish, and Rasputin a russian occultist, seek to manipulate Hellboy into releasing the Ogdru Jahad, cthulu-like gods to bring on armageddon.

Sounds a bit much I know, but lovecraftian references aside, it's pretty much monsters fighting with some story. It's a pretty good movie, fun with some occasional laughs thrown in. The production values are pretty good, with the creatures, and locations looking top notch. I was surprised to learn that the Sammael creature was actually men in suits with some enhancements. The extras on the DVD are pretty good, certainly on par with the Lord of the Ring's sets - extensive behind the scenes video, galleries, interviews and production arts are on disc 2.

Overall good fun, don't take it to seriously and you should enjoy it.