'Hellboy II – The Golden Army'.

Prior to the release of 'Hellboy', it’s probably fair to say that Mignola’s caustic demon remained relatively unknown (or at least lesser-known). Informed by his long-standing love of the comics, del Toro’s 'Hellboy' is occasionally great and features some terrific characters (including Hellboy himself), but is unfortunately let down by a disappointing ending, some ill-judged villains and a few too many concessions to convention. Not unlike del Toro’s other English-language films, particularly 'Blade II', 'Hellboy' is accessible, well-paced and entertaining, but ultimately remains too formulaic and unsurprising. Placed next to 'Cronos' and 'The Devil’s Backbone', 'Hellboy' is also another del Toro film that never fulfils its potential, winding up a little flat and underwhelming. Crucially though, Hellboy the character and 'Hellboy' the film won over enough people that the aforementioned sequel was agreed. Now, by way of the Spanish Civil War, some encouraging trailers and the most unimaginative poster possible, Red’s back, and with no little expectation…