Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) (mini-review++)

(If you’re curious, my review process. It’s also pasted at the end of this post. I don’t believe in Rotten Tomatoes. I just believe in me.)

(***all-purpose SPOILER ALERT*** there may be some in this review)

acting 8

directing 8

effects 10

editing 9

writing 7

SW SCORE: 42

4.2 out of 5 🐙

++

If my life was on the line and I needed to produce a film and I could hire any cast and crew I would want, I would make Guillermo del Toro my Director of Photography. I’m not saying the man can’t direct (see Shape of Water). But I don’t think there is anyone working right now that has as wonderful a visual imagination as Del Toro. The first Hellboy was charming and beautiful. But del Toro really spread his universe here and introduced more magic. It’s the rare sequel that’s a better time than the original. Also, anytime you get to see Doug Jones work, you should go see him work.

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(1) Shark Wrighter (SW) Score: Based on a sum of 5 sub-scores (acting, directing, writing/story, effects: cinematography &/or animation &/or effects, editing) with 1 being terrible and 10 being terrific.

(2) Octopuses (0-5 🐙, with 5 being fantastic and 0 being feces)

(3) Octopuses are my unquantifiable feeling…not that SW score is scientific…but this one is even less so

(4) ++ This optional section includes any incredibly *brilliant observations that don’t fit into simple quantitative slices like the scores and octopuses *(they are likely NOT brilliant)