Customer Reviews
Hellboy-Blood and Iron......... 
2008-09-05
Hellboy-Blood and Iron is second animated feature in the Hellboy Animated series. The story goes a little something like this... In 1939, a young Professor Broom destroyed Erzsebet Ondrushko, a vampiress who bathed in the blood of innocents to stay young after selling her soul to the Queen of Witches, the goddess Hecate. Flash forward to today, a haunting in the Hamptons, on Long Island, is brought to the BPRD's attention. Broom decides to investigate it himself taking Liz, Abe, and Hellboy himself with him & a new BPRD member named Sydney Leach who is actually a human metal detector who has never seen any action in the field. Upon getting there, they meet a vulgar millionaire hoping to cash in on the supernatural angle, he's filled the house with relics of "Blood Countess" Erzsebet Ondrusko (based on the 16th century Hungarian noblewoman Elizebeth Bathory). They soon find out that it is really haunted and the gang tackles all types of beasties. The storyline, itself, is based on the "Wake the Devil" storyline from the original comics.
It was written by Tad Stone and Mike Mignola and directed by Victor Cook and Tad Stone. Vocal talents were provided by: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Hurt, Jim Cummings, Rob Paulson, J. Grant Albrecht, Cree Summer, James Arnold Taylor, Grey Delisle, Kath Soucie, and DeeDee Rescher.
I'll admit, I liked this feature alot more than the last. I guess it is because it deals with the subjects of Vampires. In some ways, this feature is alot better...especially in tone and subject matter. Although, it still lacks that darker feel of the original books. "The Amazing Screw-On Head" feature was closer to Mignola's style and feel of the comics than this. At any rate, I liked it. However, I feel this may only appeal to hardcore animation or Hellboy fans.
Course, after seeing these animated features, I wonder why there hasn't been an animated series on TV. My nephews really loved the cartoons so I know it would appeal to their age set.
Love Hellboy 2008-08-30
I'm a huge Hellboy fan. I love the books, the movies are amazing and the animated DVD's are tons of fun. Blood and Iron is visually amazing with art work done by Cheeks Gallow. If your a hellboy fan you will love this DVD.
Not as good as Sword Of Storms 
2008-08-24
With the latest Hellboy movie just hit UK cinemas, to gear up for it, I watched Blood & Iron. Although it's more a prequel, as it still features Professor Broom, voiced by John Hurt. (Thankfully, for fans of John Hurt, he appears in a flashback in Hellboy II.)
The whole myths and legends featured in the animated movies are excellent, and I look forward to seeing more of them. The creatures are amazing, and come to life on the screen. I prefer the live action movies, but the animated ones are always worthwhile watching, and I'm sure there are bound to be more of them. There are a lot of Hellboy comics out there, with lots of ideas to hit Hellboy fans.
The story centres around the Hellboy team, and Erzebet Ondrushko, a female vampire, who in order to stay young and beautiful, bathed in the bloods of innocents to stay young. The elderly Professor Broom decides he must investigate it himself, without revealing too much to his team. Someone is attempting to bring her back - that's never a good sign. Hellboy, Liz and Abe are more worried about his welfare than the return of a vampire. They face ghosts, a ghostly wolf pack, witches, a giant werewolf, and the famous Erzebet herself.
The destiny card is played, a card that is also played in Golden Army, when he battles Queen of Witches, goddess Hecate. She wants him to embrace his true destiny, a destiny that includes the destruction of man kind. This 'destiny' must be a strong feature in the comics as well, and it makes me curious to find out what is actually supposed to happen.
The humour is very dry, as it is in the films, and although Liz's character still annoys me as she did in Sword of Storms (she seems to have a nose piercing, although I think it's just the way her nose is drawn), it still brings a few smiles to faces.
Overall, nothing can really compare to the live action movies, but I did prefer Sword of Storms, with the Japanese mythology, to this. It's still good to watch, and emerse yourself in everything Hellboy.
Better than Sword of Storms 2008-08-20
The first animated Hellboy movie wasn't bad but I didn't like the Japanese mythology and I felt like Big Red should have had a more accessible story after the 2004 movie. Blood and Iron keeps the action in America (with the exception of a few flashbacks) and focuses on a haunted house.
The BRPD are assigned to a case involving a mysterious mansion in the Hamptons where spirit Erzsebet Ondrushko (based on Elizabeth Bathory,the legendary Blood Countess), defeated by Professor Broom in the early 40s, plots her own resurrection after selling her soul to Hecate, the queen of the witches. The Professor joins HB, Liz and Abe (clearly this is set before the movie) in solving the case so he can finally put the Blood Countess out of action forever.
The humor is as dry as ever and the animation would shame both traditionally animated shows and all the modern 3D CGI rubbish. I wish all animation could look this good without having to resort to the ugly aesthetics experimented with in Batman Gotham Knight [Blu-ray] or Highlander - The Search for Vengeance (Animated).
With so many Hellboy graphic novels out there these animated movies could go on for ages if they were to base their stories on them. Blood and Iron itself is based on the 'Wake the Devil' storyline from the comics. It's far superior to modern cartoons. And what's with the 15-rating in the UK?
The DVD is in very nice-looking 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. There are loads of extras including an animated short called Iron Shoes.
Animated Hellboy 2008-07-20
I recently watched this movie and I love Hellboy and read the comics myself. This movie is good if you DON'T know your mythology or well, paganism. It basically made witchcraft, witches, and Hecate really really bad. Hecate would have never made any deals with vampire queens or anything evil, she is the goddess of witchcraft but she is also the goddess of protection of the newly born, and the household. I wish they did their research on the Triple Goddess, witchcraft, and Hecate before making this movie. Yes those two "witches" mentioned the Tripe Goddess.
I am pagan myself so I was slightly insulted by the "hollywoodized" view of witchcraft.
Truly that was my only problem with the movie, which is why I give it 3 stars because it was well animated, well written, and the voice acting was great. It was just those mistakes above that bothered me. But hey, it's a movie.
Do watch it though if you like Hellboy.
Could be more, but still fun to watch. 2008-06-19
When Hellboy Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien are assigned to investigate the ghost-infested mansion of a publicity-hound billionaire they uncover a plot to resurrect a beautiful yet monstrous vampire from Professor Bruttenholm s past. But before they can stop her bloodbath Hellboy will have to battle harpies hellhounds a giant werewolf and even the ferocious goddess Hecate herself.How much crap does a guy have to take from a Hungarian Blood Countess before he and his surrogate father can avenge the souls of the damned? It s going to take more than just a horde of very pissed-off demons for our heroes to see the light in this animated adventure from Creative Producers GuillermoDel Toro (writer/director of the HELLBOY movie) and Mike Mignola (creator of HELLBOY comics) now loaded with all-new Bonus Features.Bonus Features:Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) Enhanced for 16x9 TVsReversal of Fortune: Professor Broom's StoryTales From the Tomb: A Look Inside Blood & IronIron Shoes: The Animated Debut with Introduction by Mike MignolaThe Penanggalan: An E-Comic Exclusive with introduction by Mike MignolaAudio Commentary featuring Mike Mignola Tad Stones and Vic CookRuntime: 75 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM Rating: NR UPC: 013138207784 Manufacturer No: P2077
Another good addition to the Hellboy franchise... 2008-05-16
Finally got to check out the second Hellboy animated movie. I came away from it the same as I did the first. It was good, but I'm sure true Hellboy fans are the ones who really appreciate this. The animation is solid and the NR rating leaves it open for plenty of blood but not as much violence as you might think. The story about the vampire queen trying to make her return was interesting; though a little slow at times. Even though I realize part of the plot involves the vampire queen making a deal with the goddess Hecate to return, it still seemed a little forced at the end when we resolve the vampire's story only to go into a big battle between Hecate and Hellboy. Don't' get me wrong, it was a cool battle, it just seemed a bit forced into the story. Overall, I like the characters and will continue to support any projects that come out, but I doubt I'll ever become a true fan.
Yep! It's that good...even better than the first. 
2008-02-25
What else can be said? There's a lot of very good reviews already here, and I'm not sure what I can add, except to say that after seeing the first live action movie (and I'm looking forward to the second one!), I got interested in checking out the original source material (i.e., Mike Mignola's excellent comic) and the auxillary things that have been done along those lines, most of which have also been first-rate (the prose short stories, novels, and other creators' comics versions).
But, of all of the different Hellboy "universes" out there, I'm actually beginning to enjoy the animated movies most of all (sorry, Mike!), largely because a) Professor Bruttenholm (how it's pronounced "Broom" I'll never understand) is still alive and active in Hellboy's life, which is very good for characterization possibilities, and b) while combining aspects from the comics universe more than any other (such as the BPRD's move to new digs in the Colorado mountains from their original Connecticut HQ [NOT New Jersey, though Jersey is, I guess, a funnier location]), the animated universe is a bit more, oh, _cheery_, than the current direction of the comics, and the movies just keep getting better as they go. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for happy endings, or at least satisfactory ones. Yes, Mike, one needs to put one's protagonist in tough situations for dramatic conflict, but jeez! Give the poor guy a break once in a while, can't ya?
I'd like to see an origins storyline (perhaps in the third animated, dealing with Lobster Johnson in the 40's), or even a romantic idea for the Big Red Monkey. But not Hecate; she's just not his type (and if you're not sure about that last, read the second graphic novel, "Wake the Devil." It's a good one [and at a nice price at Amazon!]. Aw, heck, get them all; you won't regret it!). ;->
Another great animated Hellboy movie! 2007-12-31
The Red monster hero Hellboy (Voiced by Ron Perlman) with his friends Liz (Selma Blair) and Abe (Doug Jones) are back! this time they are joined by Hellboy's father figure Professor Broom(John Hurt) to travel to Hungary where they investigate a haunted mansion. Of course along time ago, Professor Broom was there in Hungary once as he defeated a lovely but deadly vampire named Erszebeth as right now she has been brought back to life bringing hell in the Hungarian town. Now the team must face Harpies, Werewolves, ghosts, demons, and a powerful goddess named Hecate.
Excellent sequel to the first animated movie that has quality animation and great voice acting by the cast especially Ron Perlman's character! Hellboy creator Mike Migola and Hellboy movie director Guillermo Del Toro produced this movie and it's true to the comics themselves much like the phenomenal live-action movie. If you like the live-action movie, the comics and the first animated movie then i suggest you see this one! it's a great appetizer for the next installment and the sequel to the live-action movie coming out summer 2008.
This DVD has some good extras like "Reversal of Fortune" which has the flashbacks of Professor Broom in their correct order from the movie, "Tales from the Tomb" featurette, "Iron Shoes" a Hellboy animated short with introduction by Mike Mignola, "The Penanggalon" interactive comic with introduction by Mike Mignola and audio commentary.
Animated Hellboy returns 2007-10-26
Blood and Iron, the second direct-to-DVD release of the animated Hellboy, improves upon the first for me. The first was not bad, but this one just had more of what I wanted. First of all, Prof. Broom plays a large part in this one, and the flashback sequences they show of him were pretty cool. Kate from the first movie shows up only briefly but Broom's presence more than makes up for that.
Plus the haunted mansion in this is the perfect location to throw this team in. There's vampires, werewolves, ghosts and witches. What more could you ask for? There's a good amount of action and usually the humour works although sometimes it seems like it tries too hard.
The flashbacks are what help elevate this effort as well, playing them backward ala Memento (which the creators admit they got the idea from, so I'll let it slide). The features on this set aren't as in depth as the last movie but better than nothing at all. Plus there's also the mini comic that it comes with. A good movie for Hellboy and comic book animation fans alike.
