Hellboy (2019)
121 min · Superhero, Action, Horror
The grimdark reboot nobody asked for was brutally compared to Guillermo del Toro's beloved originals and buried the Hellboy franchise for the foreseeable future.
The Bottom Reel's take
Oh, *Hellboy* (2019). We remember the collective shrug that rippled through the cinematic landscape when this particular beast first lumbered onto screens. It certainly swung for the fences, aiming to restart a beloved, if dormant, franchise with a gritty, R-rated vengeance. Instead, it delivered a superhero, action, and horror mashup that felt less like a fresh take and more like a grimdark prophecy of its own cinematic doom. The ambition was palpable, the execution… well, let's just say the chasm between intention and outcome is precisely why we're talking about it today.
This iteration clocks in at a hefty 121 minutes, providing ample time for its particular brand of glorious missteps to unfold. Compared brutally to its beloved predecessors, this *Hellboy* struggled to find its footing, instead tripping over its own good intentions. The crafting of its infamous reputation is almost as compelling as the film itself, becoming a cautionary tale for reboots that seemingly no one asked for. That 17/100 critic score and 40/100 audience score speak volumes, illustrating a broad consensus that this red-skinned hero's return was, shall we say, a little undercooked.
But here's the beautiful truth: a universally panned reboot that buried a franchise can still be unforgettably fun. There’s a certain charm in watching a movie try *so hard* to be edgy and cool, only to careen wildly into the realm of the absurd. The sheer commitment to its grim, gory aesthetic, despite missing the mark, offers plenty of moments ripe for shared laughter. It's not a film that demands deep thought; it's a spectacle of questionable choices and over-the-top monsters that, for the right audience, transmutes into pure, unadulterated camp.
So, for those seeking a cinematic experience that proves even the most earnest attempts can go delightfully awry, *Hellboy* (2019) is a prime candidate for your next movie night. Forget its critical reception and historical baggage; approach it with an open mind and a spirit of playful curiosity. We recommend gathering your most discerning, yet forgiving, friends, armed with a generous supply of snacks (and maybe a strong beverage or two). It’s not just a film; it’s an event, a conversation starter, and a true testament to the "famously bad, unforgettably fun" ethos.
Synopsis
A half-demon paranormal agent battles a resurrected medieval Blood Queen intent on destroying humanity with a plague.