Guillermo del Toro’s earlier Hellboy films were generally well-regarded by both critics and audiences. So, if a new version was being made, it needed to be noticeably different from those movies or at least find a way to stand apart from them. Neil Marshall's film is certainly distinct, but not in a positive fashion. This is unfortunately one of the worst films released this year so far. David Harbour really tries his best to salvage the story, but even his strong performance can’t overcome the excessively long and repetitive explanations, editing that feels like it belongs on a Razzie Award (if such an award existed), and awkward attempts at humor. The three writers didn't succeed in nearly any aspect of the project. Even Hellboy himself becomes a distorted version of his character at times. Milla Jovovich, who isn’t a bad actress, delivers a performance that feels exaggerated, predictable, and anything but threatening. The poorly written script she was given certainly doesn't help matters. Sasha Lane (as Alice) is the only person who manages to create a genuinely likable character (aside from the main character) and gives a strong portrayal. Daniel Dae Kim also does well as Ben Daimio. However, even with talented actors, it’s not enough to fix the significant problems with the screenplay, which tells an unclear story filled with extensive explanations delivered through numerous flashbacks—I lost track of how many there were. The rock music soundtrack doesn't always work out; it feels inconsistent and makes some transitions feel odd. Still, I will give credit where it’s due: it does make the action sequences more exciting. There are some great moments where Hellboy truly shines, but overall they are undermined by poor editing. Frankly, I don't understand how Marshall can direct such impressive, continuous fight scenes (or “stitched together” sequences, like one near the end) and then deliver poorly edited ones in the same movie, so often. The visual effects are as disappointing as they are occasionally impressive, but at least Hellboy’s makeup and costume look good. Ultimately, a film's story and characters are its most important elements, and this *Hellboy* fails to provide a well-written and engaging adventure or memorable characters. Overall, *Hellboy* is a significant setback for Neil Marshall's career, and he’ll have to work hard to get another chance at directing a big movie. The film is already losing money in theaters, which demonstrates that there isn't enough interest in this rebooted franchise to justify a sequel. It does have its good points, and David Harbour embodies his role very well, holding the movie together for as long as he can. Nevertheless, a solid cast and some occasionally exciting action sequences aren’t sufficient to overcome issues with the writing, an uneven soundtrack, cheesy comedy, lengthy explanations, and the worst editing I've seen this year. It’s likely to be a frustrating experience for most viewers... Rating: C-

Source on TMDB