When the Nazis open a paranormal portal in search of monsters to aid them in their quest for victory, an infant demon named Hellboy is the result. After the German team is killed, the baby is raised by the Allies and becomes a superhero, defending the world from evil.

Guillermo del Toro’s does a superhero film (adapting Mike Mignola’s beloved graphic novel series) proper: delighted to be on the big screen, serious in the right places, silly in others, at once respectful and inventive. And best of all, Ron Perlman gets a much-deserved (and hell-red) spotlight.