Before he became a Twitter adversary of @realDonaldTrump, Ron Perlman was doing sterling work as a red-skinned, horn-headed, supernatural forces-fighting demon.
Hellboy is the result of a Nazi experiment to summon up a demon from Hell – a wonder weapon capable of winning World War II – but was rescued and raised by a the late John Hurt’s paranormal scientist Professor Bruttenholm before going taking a covert job with the American Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. He now spends his time policing the hidden world of ghosts, goblins and dark forces – and woe betide anyone who steps out of line.
The film bears the distinctive visual stamp of Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and is superior to most of the mega budget Marvel/DC output – maybe with the exception of Deadpool, but that’s an unnecessary comparison.
The film may be 13 years old but is a fine vintage and Perlman is perfectly cast as the wise-cracking, cigar smoking Hellboy.
Hellboy – Friday 11.30pm on FilmFour.
