hellboy 2: the golden army

there are few films i love more than 'hellboy'.
ive loved the comic book for years and obsessively collect all things hellboy. so when the first one came out i was as giddy as a school girl. i saw it in the theater three times, each time dragging more and more friends with me. i loved the story, the characterizations, and really loved del toros direction. ive followed his stuff ever since 'mimic' and 'the devils backbone'. when i first heard he was doing 'hellboy' i was ecstatic. after the haunting and beautiful film 'pans labyrinth' he came back to make another one! i have been almost more excited for this film than 'dark knight'.
the amazing this is: 'hellboy 2: the golden army' is even better than the original! now that the characters have been established, del toro is able to further develop their relationships and the teams dynamics. the story is basically this: a prince of the mythical world is sick of their peace with humans and tries to enlist the help of the golden army to take them down. hellboy and the gang have to step in and save the world.
the effects are amazing, especially the plant monster that is unleashed in new york city, and everything is so visually lush and detailed that it almost needs to be seen twice just to take it all in! the different characters each get their own important story arc that leads them to change and grow in realistic ways. hellboy, as usual, is moody and hilarious. this time we get to spend a bit more time with abe and see him try to make a bit more of a life for himself. the action is amazing and the different creatures they must face are so perfectly realized and fully formed. this is definitely a world that is lived it and believable. except that it is amazingly unbelievable.
shoot, all this talking about it makes me want to see it again. hmm, i think i will...