Stranger Horns.
121 Mins. Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, Stephen Graham, Thomas Haden Church & Ian McShane. Director: Neil Marshall.
Hell hath no fury like the scorn of whitewashing in Hollywood. And there was going to be brimstone to pay for this new 'Hellboy' reboot until 'Deadpool' villain Ed Skrein respectfully gave up his role as Major Ben in this third live action movie like admitting his real name was Francis. Now after Skrein's good gesture, this major role in a time were Scarlett Johansson is in 'Ghost In The Shell' and Matt Damon 'The Great Wall' has been found by 'Lost' and Ang Lee's 'Hulk' actor Daniel Dae Kim. And this cat from 'Angel' is heaven sent in all this hell boy. Hollywood making a change for the better in a time were the Oscars are no longer so white, but they're far from glistening in gold too? Especially when we're living in a hypocritical terrible time were not long ago the white privilege of racist trolls would take exception to the casting of Rue in 'The Hunger Games', when the characters ethnicity wasn't even clearly defined. 'Stranger Things' have happened like when Hopper himself, David Harbour has the horns to play the big red after Ron Perlman made this dark comic iconic in gothic visionary Guillermo del Toro's shape of crimson labyrinth. Harbouring a more comic look at the character in this graphic action and despite some hilarious claims that another white American is taking a role off a real demon actor that meme and means well, this David is a son like the boy Damien to Perlman as this devil inside. Muscling up that dad bod like the 'Parks and Recreation' of Chris Pratt was the guardian of his gymnasium, Harbour busts into a role as iconic as his 'Stranger' sheriff's GIF-able dad dancing. And now this Dark Horse dares to be the devil. Although don't fear the reaper, Hellboy is safe with Harbour. He gives his soul. Throwing everything at this including the sink, as this hell's kitchen takes us from the 'Nacho Libre' of Mexican wrestling off the swinging off the clothes lining ropes ring, to the London, England of 'EastEnders' and Excalibur!?
King Arthur would be proud of Mo from Albert Square unloading a machine gun like Helen Mirren in 'RED' locking down her chippy, secret lair like Peggy Mitchell shouting, "get aaaaat my pub!" That's Winston Churchill's sister you're messing with! Or should we say Gary Oldman's? Anything to protect 'Lovejoy' and his collection of antiques. Not least his devil of a son born in sin, with the rock 'em, sock 'em arm and the Eastwood 'Dirty Harry' magnum for any punk who feels lucky with a Judas bullet. 'Sin City' was the last time we saw a novel adaptation so graphic. 'Venom' the last time a hero so anti. And here despite the critic fire bombs and everyone apart from me and the die hards who knew to stay all the way to the very end for two post credit surprises (but let's not get a head here like pouring a proper pint) like this was a Marvel superhero movie (or do we all just do that with every film now?) staying at home to witness Tiger Woods bringing that iron will to win The Masters in Augusta again (when the golf great puts on that iconic Sunday red jersey it's over like those who wear it in 'Star Trek'), this is still hella fun with B movie brilliance. Even if everyone aren't on their A game. And the Big Smoke setting of London-although Big Ben striking in ye olde traditions and futuristic foundations of skylines of tomorrow-makes this look cheaper than the reflecting mirrors of the 'Kingsman' class. If there's to be a 'Golden Army', it's probably best to take them out the 'Golden Circle'. 'Dog Soldiers', 'Centurion' and 'Game Of Thrones' director Neil Marshall knows how to bring the mythical magic like Merlin, even if he'll never belong in the same gothic castle of gargoyles as horror king Guillermo. Although this monster mash is meat and potatoes for Marshall and a special effects team that could make even the most complex CGI looking like and for scraps like vultures picking bones from the sockets of the dark ages. Bleak? You bet! But oh so devil may care fun. Darkness calls Hellboy in Mexico for an R rated standoff of storm and fury. Bathed in blood as red as his filed down antlers (those aren't upturned goggles people). Gore blimey!
"BABA YAGA!" You'll be crying like Scott Lang's comedy crew seeing a Ghost in 'Ant-Man and The Wasp' (don't make us let Michael Pena's Luis explain it to you), as Hellboy makes deals with all sorts of anti-Christ's. And despite all those trying to cut him down. From English royalty, to giants, critics and one eyed ladies who just want a kiss. Harbour is sword in the stone worthy of this hell. Boy is he good. Ever since 'The Equalizer', 'Green Hornet' and 'Suicide Squad' character actor hit cult hero status in Hawkins his career has gone Upside Down. And now inside out from the devil's cellar, give this a trilogy and it could be what what the now leading man is now known for in his most famous flame like 'Stranger Things 3'. He brings heart, humour and even humanity to these horns. David Harbour as 'Hellboy'? Hell yeah! And with a big-three team of scene stealing Sasha Lane and a game changing Daniel Dae Kim (now even Daniel Day Lewis couldn't take this away from Daniel Dae Kim), all that's needed is an inspired Selma Blair, a Doug Jones prosthetic, or Niles Crane for the Frasier broad bodied hero. Seriously back in the day Kelsey Grammar could have played this beast...casting directors of the 90's, you listening? Team Red are going to need all the help they can get for 'The Fifth Element' of this films 'Resident Evil' in the legendary form of Milla Jovovich who really makes this a holy trinity part of her cult classic big three shop of science fiction horrors. Her unmistakable voice and look is never nothing short of iconic. Whilst she has a pig of a servant companion making a sty out of a Bebop and Rocksteady monster mash-up. As 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', Liverpool actor Stephen Graham is on hilarious form with his Scouse accented beast calling the devil every expletive name under the sun. So much so he was one "soft lad" away from having me removed from the cinema and given an ASBO for rolling around and laughing too much. And then there's the one of a kind Thomas Haden Church. 'Spider-Man's' Sandman in a role we won't spoil like forgetting to pour the beach out your shoes before walking in the house. And what blockbuster franchise film would be worth its sold soul these days without the 'American Gods' legend of 'John Wick' Great Brit Ian McShane on these continental grounds? McShane's run is so good of late he could even blow the bloody doors off and give Sir Michael Caine a run for his pounds sterling. All in all this film may be far from fireproof, but it's still hot. With a cast full of so much character and a Saint Paul's Cathedral cathartic finale of action on a depths below the church steps 'End Of Days' level, this one cancels it's own Apocalypse. Looks like someone did a deal with the devil. And now because of that we will still have hell to pay. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army', 'Venom', 'Ghost Rider'.
King Arthur would be proud of Mo from Albert Square unloading a machine gun like Helen Mirren in 'RED' locking down her chippy, secret lair like Peggy Mitchell shouting, "get aaaaat my pub!" That's Winston Churchill's sister you're messing with! Or should we say Gary Oldman's? Anything to protect 'Lovejoy' and his collection of antiques. Not least his devil of a son born in sin, with the rock 'em, sock 'em arm and the Eastwood 'Dirty Harry' magnum for any punk who feels lucky with a Judas bullet. 'Sin City' was the last time we saw a novel adaptation so graphic. 'Venom' the last time a hero so anti. And here despite the critic fire bombs and everyone apart from me and the die hards who knew to stay all the way to the very end for two post credit surprises (but let's not get a head here like pouring a proper pint) like this was a Marvel superhero movie (or do we all just do that with every film now?) staying at home to witness Tiger Woods bringing that iron will to win The Masters in Augusta again (when the golf great puts on that iconic Sunday red jersey it's over like those who wear it in 'Star Trek'), this is still hella fun with B movie brilliance. Even if everyone aren't on their A game. And the Big Smoke setting of London-although Big Ben striking in ye olde traditions and futuristic foundations of skylines of tomorrow-makes this look cheaper than the reflecting mirrors of the 'Kingsman' class. If there's to be a 'Golden Army', it's probably best to take them out the 'Golden Circle'. 'Dog Soldiers', 'Centurion' and 'Game Of Thrones' director Neil Marshall knows how to bring the mythical magic like Merlin, even if he'll never belong in the same gothic castle of gargoyles as horror king Guillermo. Although this monster mash is meat and potatoes for Marshall and a special effects team that could make even the most complex CGI looking like and for scraps like vultures picking bones from the sockets of the dark ages. Bleak? You bet! But oh so devil may care fun. Darkness calls Hellboy in Mexico for an R rated standoff of storm and fury. Bathed in blood as red as his filed down antlers (those aren't upturned goggles people). Gore blimey!
"BABA YAGA!" You'll be crying like Scott Lang's comedy crew seeing a Ghost in 'Ant-Man and The Wasp' (don't make us let Michael Pena's Luis explain it to you), as Hellboy makes deals with all sorts of anti-Christ's. And despite all those trying to cut him down. From English royalty, to giants, critics and one eyed ladies who just want a kiss. Harbour is sword in the stone worthy of this hell. Boy is he good. Ever since 'The Equalizer', 'Green Hornet' and 'Suicide Squad' character actor hit cult hero status in Hawkins his career has gone Upside Down. And now inside out from the devil's cellar, give this a trilogy and it could be what what the now leading man is now known for in his most famous flame like 'Stranger Things 3'. He brings heart, humour and even humanity to these horns. David Harbour as 'Hellboy'? Hell yeah! And with a big-three team of scene stealing Sasha Lane and a game changing Daniel Dae Kim (now even Daniel Day Lewis couldn't take this away from Daniel Dae Kim), all that's needed is an inspired Selma Blair, a Doug Jones prosthetic, or Niles Crane for the Frasier broad bodied hero. Seriously back in the day Kelsey Grammar could have played this beast...casting directors of the 90's, you listening? Team Red are going to need all the help they can get for 'The Fifth Element' of this films 'Resident Evil' in the legendary form of Milla Jovovich who really makes this a holy trinity part of her cult classic big three shop of science fiction horrors. Her unmistakable voice and look is never nothing short of iconic. Whilst she has a pig of a servant companion making a sty out of a Bebop and Rocksteady monster mash-up. As 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', Liverpool actor Stephen Graham is on hilarious form with his Scouse accented beast calling the devil every expletive name under the sun. So much so he was one "soft lad" away from having me removed from the cinema and given an ASBO for rolling around and laughing too much. And then there's the one of a kind Thomas Haden Church. 'Spider-Man's' Sandman in a role we won't spoil like forgetting to pour the beach out your shoes before walking in the house. And what blockbuster franchise film would be worth its sold soul these days without the 'American Gods' legend of 'John Wick' Great Brit Ian McShane on these continental grounds? McShane's run is so good of late he could even blow the bloody doors off and give Sir Michael Caine a run for his pounds sterling. All in all this film may be far from fireproof, but it's still hot. With a cast full of so much character and a Saint Paul's Cathedral cathartic finale of action on a depths below the church steps 'End Of Days' level, this one cancels it's own Apocalypse. Looks like someone did a deal with the devil. And now because of that we will still have hell to pay. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army', 'Venom', 'Ghost Rider'.
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