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Hellboy (2019) 4K UHD Review

“Hellboy” (2019) is the perfect example of how not to do a reboot.

Based off of Mike Mignola’s Dark Horse comic book series of the same name, this 2019 reboot of “Hellboy” revolves around the villainous Blood Queen rising up and wanting Hellboy to bring about the apocalypse. Other key story elements include the dynamic between Hellboy and B.P.R.D. leader/father Trevor, a medium named Alice, an M11 agent named Ben who has a special ability, Baba Yaga, betrayal, giant hunting, and Hellboy’s past and fate

When the option of making a third “Hellboy” film with Oscar winning director Guillermo Del Toro and actor Ron Perlman is on the table, it’s baffling that that option was dismissed in favor of a reboot. Now, that’s not a slight on the talent involved here. Neil Marshall certainly has cred as a director, David Harbour (of “Stranger Things” fame) is a rising star, and the supporting cast (Daniel Dae Kim, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane and Sasha Lane) are obviously as talented as can be. What’s unfortunate is that this dreadful movie wastes the talent of all involved.

Penned by Andrew Cosby, the script is an outright disaster. The patchwork story gives viewers nothing to latch onto. There’s no breathing room for any of the characters as the story is filled with an unnecessary amount of multiple storylines. The direction by Neil Marshall lacks the vision that Guillermo Del Toro brought to the world. It feels more like a CGI fest than anything else. Only in the end is there a hint of promise when SPOILER ALERT the creatures attack London, a horned Hellboy with a flaming sword emerges, and a a certain character is teased that should have been in it to begin with END SPOILER ALERT. By then though, it is too little too late.

I wish I could say the cast helps matters but they don’t. David Harbour simply doesn’t fit here as Hellboy. He looks and sounds awkward in the role. Daniel Dae Kim has very little to do here, Ian McShane looks bored (and who can blame him), and Milla Jovovich hams it up. Sasha Lane (best known from “American Honey”) is the only cast member that turns in a solid performance as the medium Alice.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? The picture quality is a little too good here as the CGI’s shortcomings are quite apparent in 2160p.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? This Atmos track certainly puts the speakers to work. Expect an impressive track (especially during the big set pieces).

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Blu-ray copy
* 3 deleted scenes
* “The Forever Warriors: Story And Characters”- A featurette that contains set footage, discussions about Mike Mignola’s comics and the story and characters.
* “Ye Gods And Devils: Creatures And Gear”- The title of this featurette speaks for itself.
* “Rise Of The Blood Queen: Production”- A behind-the-scenes look at the production design and overall production.
* 3 pre-viz sequences of the giant fight, Gru vs. Hellboy and the London Apocalypse.
* Lionsgate trailers

July 17, 2019 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Daniel Dae Kim, David Harbour, Hellboy, Hellboy (2019) 4K UHD Review, Hellboy 4K Review, Hellboy Comic Books, Milla Jovovich