In 2004’s Hellboy, director Guillermo del Toro introduced us to the cinematic version of Mike Mignola’s popular comic book character, a laconic demon summoned to Earth to destroy it but who winds up working with a team of supernatural characters to save it time and again. Returning to the character in 2008 with Hellboy II: The Golden Army, del Toro brings the emotional journey - yes, there is one in this story of demons and underworlds - of Hellboy to a conclusion whose enjoyment is enhanced by, but not necessarily dependent on, the viewing of the first movie.

The Golden Army once again finds Hellboy conflicted between the role he’s reminded he’s destined to play (bringer of Hell to Earth) and the one he’s chosen to play (protector of Earth). This time his adversary is an Elf prince who’s tired of the ancient truce between his people and humans and has vowed to, you, know, destroy the surface dwellers as a result. Monsters need to be pounded by Hellboy’s big red fist, blown apart by his even bigger series of specially-designed guns and ultimately destroyed through, in true Wonder Pets fashion, the power of teamwork.

The central plot of Hellboy stopping another apocalypse is entertaining and engaging, thanks in large part to del Toro’s vividly imaginative character design and emphasis on making sure each one has a unique and interesting identity. But even more satisfying than that is the emotional journey, carried over from the first film, that Hellboy is taken on.

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