Ron Pearlman once again dons two horns and one gigantic claw as the wisecracking, ego-inflated superhero Hellboy in HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY. Hellboy’s nonchalant, sarcastic ways may be appealing to television reporters, but its beginning to wear on the general public and his girlfriend Liz, another superhero at the United States Bureau for Paranormal Research. In spite of their relationship issues, Liz and Hellboy must put their differences aside to protect mankind from Prince Nuada and his band of warriors. Nuada has disregarded a truce between mankind and the world’s supernatural inhabitants. Now he’s back to reclaim dominance, and plans to do so with a dominant, but dormant golden army of warriors. 
The original HELLBOY was a rather dull introduction to the series, focusing solely on the lead character, with little else to offer. HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY again offers Pearlman a chance to shine in the lead role, which he does, but it also delivers some pretty exciting combat moments, and plenty of personal drama to make the act of saving the world well worth it. In the midst of two oddly effective love stories, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY conjures up four well-orchestrated and thrilling action scenes that crazed comic book fans should eat up. Although these moments don’t necessarily further the plot, they do serve as wonderful isolated battles where writer-director Guillermo del Toro has a field day with crazy creatures and plenty of destruction. Pearlman is again dead-on as Hellboy, but del Toro also has more fun this time around with the supporting cast. Abe Sapien, the odd-looking but warm-hearted sidekick of Hellboy, gets in on the romance, and Jeffery Tabor lends some comedic support with his constant clashing with Hellboy over government protocol. HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY may not shatter preconceived notions of the genre like THE DARK KNIGHT, but it does live up to every expectation that a comic book fan should demand.
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