Hellboy

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Year:	2004
Country of origin:	USA
Director:	Guillermo del Toro
Genre:	Dark comic book caper
Starring:	Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Selma Blair
Rating:	4/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167190/
Tagline:	From the Dark Side to Our Side
Favourite line:	""Mmmm... nachos!""

Guillermo del Toro seems to have a fairly unique vision, as evidenced by such fare as Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone, and he's at it again here, this time in a Hollywood friendly comic book caper with a bit of a difference.
Hellboy's his name, and stopping evilnessnessness is his game, with a puff on his cigar and a nice line in sardonic one liners on the side.
In almost an inversion of the superhero role, Hellboy seems to delight in his crusading ways, clearly relishing the chance to fight slimy bad guys whenever he gets the chance. He's a bit of a romantic too, with an old flame (literally, she's a pyrokinetic) still setting the embers simmering.

The plot:
During the second world war, Hitler attempted to utilise the ways of the occult to give him the upper hand. Rasputin was his expert in all things dark and magical and, when a ritual goes awry, Hellboy is created. He is saved from the Nazi's, and joins a team called The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, whose role is to protect the world - well, America - from unwanted black magical incidents. Skip to present day, and Rasputin's back, eager to wreak chaos once more.
Can Hellboy stop him?
And will he run out of cigars by the time he does?

Sarcastically witty, with a tone that is understated despite the massive set-pieces, this is a triumph of superhero film-making. No Fantastic Four style gawdiness, no mawkish sentimentality, and no self congratulation, this is dark, funny and a visual feast.
Looking forward to watching the sequel.