Hellboy Blu-ray review

GLOW · 06-18-2007, 10:26 AM

Content- 3.5/5

During WWII, a monster is released into our world through a portal created by a Nazi sorcerer

and is raised to act human by an FBI paranormal investigator.

Fast-forward to the present, the monster (Hellboy) is now a badass FBI agent who fights monsters for a living. The man who raised him is dying and -oh no! - the supernatural Nazi's are back!

Hellboy and his new FBI partner must stop them before they open another portal that will unleash hell on earth.

OK, as crazy and absurd as that description sounds, the movie is actually pretty good. The characters are likeable and the movie has some good emotional depth despite being a comic book movie. There is a love triangle involving a sexy female FBI agent who can burst into flames and tons of great action sequences. CGI is top-notch, for the most part. The ending felt a bit flat for me, but overall I'd say Hellboy was above average and worth a rental for "comic book action" fans.

Video- 4.75/5

MPEG-4/AVC. Wow, very impressive work from Sony! Color is outstanding, very bold but never oversaturated. Blacks are solid and deep. Detail and clarity is really amazing, especially close-ups, but even backgrounds look great. My only gripe with the PQ is some instances of color banding- there is some severe color banding during the title sequence and a few mild cases of banding during the movie. Nothing distracting but it's there if you look for it.

If you're a fan of good PQ, you need to check this movie out just for that. I let out a few "whoah's" while watching it, something I rarely do anymore since HD feels so standard to me.

Audio- 5/5

5.1 PCM. Oustanding LFE, crystal clear dialogue, good use of surrounds and a solid score- everything a comic book movie needs. In one scene, Hellboy's partner's gun sounds a little "laser-y" but gunshots in general were great, very loud and resonant. Soundfield is perfect, surrounds are very active but never unnecessary.

Family Values: It's intense and there is a lot of comic book violence, but very little blood and no gore. No sex, either. No bad language, IIRC. I'm not sure of the rating but I'm guessing it's PG-13. It's suitable for anyone over age 7, I'd say. Your wife/girlfriend probably won't be interested in watching this, but there is a love storyline in it in case they do.

Semp1 · 06-18-2007, 10:40 AM

good review

**PFC5** · 06-18-2007, 11:15 AM

Nice review Glow!

Chris Gerhard · 06-18-2007, 11:20 AM

Nice review. I bought this on DVD as a blind buy and liked it, but have never watched it a second time. I will pass on a purchase or rental, but it is always good to see more indication that the Blu-ray releases are realizing the potential.

Chris

macmarkus · 06-18-2007, 11:57 AM

Nice review. One of my wifes favorite movies actually. She can't wait for the sequel ! I loved it as well

, haven't seen it in HD yet though

. Unless the theater counts ?

Thanks for the review, if it where up to my wife we'd go BD for this title alone I'm sure, lol

!

06-18-2007, 10:26 AM	#1
GLOW Behold! The taste of Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,034	Hellboy Blu-ray review Content- 3.5/5 During WWII, a monster is released into our world through a portal created by a Nazi sorcerer and is raised to act human by an FBI paranormal investigator. Fast-forward to the present, the monster (Hellboy) is now a badass FBI agent who fights monsters for a living. The man who raised him is dying and -oh no! - the supernatural Nazi's are back! Hellboy and his new FBI partner must stop them before they open another portal that will unleash hell on earth. OK, as crazy and absurd as that description sounds, the movie is actually pretty good. The characters are likeable and the movie has some good emotional depth despite being a comic book movie. There is a love triangle involving a sexy female FBI agent who can burst into flames and tons of great action sequences. CGI is top-notch, for the most part. The ending felt a bit flat for me, but overall I'd say Hellboy was above average and worth a rental for "comic book action" fans. Video- 4.75/5 MPEG-4/AVC. Wow, very impressive work from Sony! Color is outstanding, very bold but never oversaturated. Blacks are solid and deep. Detail and clarity is really amazing, especially close-ups, but even backgrounds look great. My only gripe with the PQ is some instances of color banding- there is some severe color banding during the title sequence and a few mild cases of banding during the movie. Nothing distracting but it's there if you look for it. If you're a fan of good PQ, you need to check this movie out just for that. I let out a few "whoah's" while watching it, something I rarely do anymore since HD feels so standard to me. Audio- 5/5 5.1 PCM. Oustanding LFE, crystal clear dialogue, good use of surrounds and a solid score- everything a comic book movie needs. In one scene, Hellboy's partner's gun sounds a little "laser-y" but gunshots in general were great, very loud and resonant. Soundfield is perfect, surrounds are very active but never unnecessary. Family Values: It's intense and there is a lot of comic book violence, but very little blood and no gore. No sex, either. No bad language, IIRC. I'm not sure of the rating but I'm guessing it's PG-13. It's suitable for anyone over age 7, I'd say. Your wife/girlfriend probably won't be interested in watching this, but there is a love storyline in it in case they do.

06-18-2007, 10:40 AM	#2
Semp1 Obsessed with Hi-Def. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn. NY Age: 28 Posts: 743	good review __________________ Living Room Sony KDL52XBR6, Onkyo TX-SR707, Polk CS10, Polk TSI300, Polk TSI100, Outlaw LFM-1 Plus, OPPO BD-P83, XBOX 360, Wii, Apple TV, Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD Bed Room Sony KDL40XBR2/3, Samsung BDP2500 , Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD, PS3 Slim, XBOX 360

06-18-2007, 11:15 AM	#3
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 31,218	Nice review Glow! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

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06-18-2007, 11:20 AM	#4
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,954	Nice review. I bought this on DVD as a blind buy and liked it, but have never watched it a second time. I will pass on a purchase or rental, but it is always good to see more indication that the Blu-ray releases are realizing the potential. Chris

06-18-2007, 11:57 AM	#5
macmarkus High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,146	Nice review. One of my wifes favorite movies actually. She can't wait for the sequel ! I loved it as well , haven't seen it in HD yet though . Unless the theater counts ? Thanks for the review, if it where up to my wife we'd go BD for this title alone I'm sure, lol !