Hellboy: Blood and Iron (NR, 2007)

Blood and Iron is the second animated feature based on Mike Mignola's popular graphic novel series about Hellboy, an actual demon who was raised by people and is now part of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, an elite squad charged with protecting the world from the undead. Mignola co-wrote the story, which retains the same dark, gloomy feel that make his comics so much fun. The movie has two parallel story lines. In one, Hellboy (voiced by Ron Perlman), his aging mentor Dr. Broom (John Hurt), and the rest of the BPRD team investigate a haunted mansion. In the second story, told through flashbacks, Broom takes on a vicious female vampire, Erzsebet, who likes to bathe in the blood of young women. It soon becomes clear that Erzsebet has been resurrected in the present and is still angry with Broom, who destroyed her 60 years ago.

Just because it's a cartoon, don't think HELLBOY: BLOOD AND IRON is automatically OK for kids. With vampires, harpies, scores of bloody ghosts, a pack of demonic wolves, and one angry snake goddess, this made-for-TV movie is pretty intense even for older tweens and teens -- and it might deliver a few decent chills to adults as well.

The two stories are fairly straightforward monster-hunting tales, but they also have interesting undertones regarding faith, which sets the film apart from so many other monster-in-the-dark features. It's definitely worth noting that this movie is heavier on demon-smashing fight scenes and is much more chilling than its predecessor, Hellboy: Sword of Storms. That film was centered on Japanese mythology and was a bit less violent and more thoughtful.

Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Director: Tad Stones
Cast: John Hurt, Ron Perlman, Selma Blair
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 75 minutes
Theatrical release: June 11, 2007
DVD release: June 12, 2007
MPAA Rating: NR