Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil - Kotaku Comments

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:34:21 MDT

@TheIrishNinja: I know, it's super dumb!

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

TheIrishNinja — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:33:40 MDT

@justhesh: wait, what?! seth cant be johann! argh.

TheIrishNinja

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:03:36 MDT

@poketron: Wait, he's voicing Johann now? That's horrible. Johann is German, for god's sake. I like Seth McFarlane, but ugh. What a disgusting decision.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

poketron — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:21:06 MDT

@justhesh:

Yeah, Johann's voice should be great. I love Seth McFarlane (his voices, not too much the cartoons)

poketron

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:56:40 MDT

@Uzumaki_Kiba: Excuse me, this is serious conversation about comic books. We don't have time for such trivial things.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Uzumaki_Kiba — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:30:48 MDT

"This game should not be confused with Heavenboy: The Evil of Science."

Ahahahaha..... Seriously, did nobody else find this fucking hilarious?

Uzumaki_Kiba

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:41:47 MDT

@TheIrishNinja: You never realize how much of a nerd you really are until you unwittingly write a novel on the subject.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

TheIrishNinja — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:06:17 MDT

@justhesh: true, but as a fanboy i dug it.

shit, i was worried about this, and now im not. cant wait to see how it turns out.

TheIrishNinja

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:40:24 MDT

@justhesh: Holy shit that was a lot of talk about comic books.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:02:31 MDT

@PearceShea: See, the adaptation fine. I read the Hellboy stories out of order (which is entirely viable), which actually lends itself to the mystery and flashback aspects that run rampant throughout the lore.

With the first movie they took various parts, mixed them together, and left stuff out. But the thing of it is, that's how Hellboy comics are. The most important parts play secondary roles, and are often randomly scattered. Only when you amass them do they really come to light. It's the same with BPRD, as the major events that are taking place are actually underhanded vehicles for the small, yet monumental revelations.

Take Johann, Lobster Johnson, and Daimio, for instance. Johann practically joins out of nowhere, with only the idea of his back story given. Daimio and Lobster are the same. But later the pieces start to be put together, whether it's how Johann came to be a specter (they're currently planning a small series that addresses the events that lead him to the BPRD), what killed Daimio and what brought him back to life (they've recently delved into it with Killing Ground and Garden of Souls), and why Lobster Johnson keeps showing up to lend a hand from beyond the grave.

Abe Sapien, as much a prominent character as he is, is still shrouded in mystery. It took quite a while just to find out who he really was and there's yet more to be revealed. And of course there's Johann's investigation into the true history of the new BPRD HQ. Aside from some of Abe's story that unfolded on a larger scale, this has all been happening somewhat behind the scenes.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, although the movie left things out and rearranged others, it still uses the method of accumulating puzzle pieces that makes up the comics.

As for the love interest, I don't really mind it, because it was still more of the Big Brother/Little Sister relationship that exists in the original stories. Yes, they make HB care a little differently in the movie for Liz, but it's really just embellishing what was there all along.

The only aspect of the film that I think needs improvement is the ambiance. The comics are all about mood and mysteriousness, but the films put more emphasis on the action. That's what makes the comics so effective, and it's lacking in the adaptation to film and cartoons.

For example, I read the comics while listening to the song Going Crazy Coast to Coast by Alex Wurman (from the Confessions of a Dangerous Mind score). It's a very subtle, very dark piano piece that lends itself well to the comics. It's like the audio version of the visuals presented by coloring and shadowing techniques. It keeps pace rather well. Then, towards the end of the song, the melody changes to more of a classic noir score that bookends the very same way the stories always do, with a lighter, often jovial, sigh of relief. Meanwhile, with the films, they use more of a rock score, again emphasizing the action. And with the cartoons, they use more of a dramatic orchestration. Look up the song and you'll understand what I'm trying to say.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

PearceShea — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:16:51 MDT

@Punkateer: I couldn't disagree more. It doesn't really capture the grimness of the BPRD series, but it definitly has the whimsy of Hellboy and the Hellboy comics down pat. Ron Perlman is just perfect too.

It is regrettable that there's a love interest with Liz and that the movie (if only for the sake of being not completly niche) cleaves pretty closesly to the first graphic novel (cutting out some of my favorite parts, relegatin Ilsa to a minor role and ditching some of my favorite villains for a beefed up Chronin).

It'll be interesting to see what Guillermo Del Toro does now that he's got hollywood chops.

I would just love to see his take on The Island.

PearceShea

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:08:13 MDT

@Punkateer: And I know you're full of it.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Punkateer — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:06:06 MDT

I believe Hellboy to be a bad movie possibly worse than the spiderman movies.

Punkateer

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

JokesJokes — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:25:20 MDT

Double the PSP double the fun!

JokesJokes

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:42:33 MDT

@poketron: No, that was GTA IV. But yeah, it could hurt.

You have to remember, though. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army comes out July 11th. So you better believe the hype machine will be in gear. Besides, Hellboy fans are gonna pick it up no matter what.

@poketron: It doesn't matter anyway, cause Doug is great. And you just know his performance will be that much better when he gets to control not only his body, but his delivery. And re-watching Sword of Storms, he has great delivery.

Anyway, the voice of Abe is irrelevant. I can't wait to hear Johann in Golden Army!

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

poketron — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:54:12 MDT

And what a bad choice Konami made, releasing a game that could be big on the same day as the most hyped game of the year. Is Konami trying to battle themselves?

poketron

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

poketron — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:52:18 MDT

@Grave:
In the first movie David Hyde Pierce said he was impersonating Doug while doing the voice, so it's not like it matters.

poketron

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

zakky venom — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:45:39 MDT

i love me some hellboy! comics are great, movie was great, the feature length cartoons were great, even the novels were great. i cant wait for this game and its easy achievements.

zakky venom

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:36:54 MDT

@MrGlass: No, it's Doug Jones.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Forkball — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:34:37 MDT

This game should not be confused with Heavenboy: The Evil of Science.

Forkball

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Grave — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:28:18 MDT

@superbagman: Oh, don't get me wrong, I think Doug Jones does a great job with it as well. I just liked David Hyde Pierce's voice in the first movie a little bit better.

Still, to everyone else, you can hear how good of a match it is here:

Grave

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

CockroachMan — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:19:35 MDT

What? Two games for the PSP!? :(

CockroachMan

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Chaoticevl — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:39:39 MDT

while i have so interest this "Hellboy: Science of Evil releases June 12 for the PSP, Xbox 360 and PSP." amuses me to no end.

Chaoticevl

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

MrGlass — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:31:57 MDT

@justhesh: I believe the teaser for the new film had David Hyde Pierce, but the actual film wont. At least, thats what I read on the hellboy forums last night.

MrGlass

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

The_JB — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:28:28 MDT

working on this game was an interesting experience. I was part of a company that worked on some of the outsorced cutscenes in the game. I'm really glad that it's turned into an enjoyable game experience because when I got to see it way back in December '06 it was only supposed to have another 6 months of development on it and it really didn't feel fun at all. It seems that whoever allowed it to have another year in development made a very good decision.

The_JB

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

superbagman — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:07 MDT

@Grave: Doug Jones and David Hyde Pierce actually have fairly similar voices. My wife wasn't aware that it was a different voice when we were watching the Hellboy cartoon the other day, though it has been a while since we watched the original movie.

superbagman

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under) — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:05:41 MDT

Did this come out of nowhere?

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:03:25 MDT

@justhesh: BTW, this game has been SOLD since it was announced.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

justhesh — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:02:18 MDT

@Grave: No, it is Doug Jones. It hasn't been David Hyde Pierce since the first movie, where he chose not to be credited in honor of Doug Jones. It's been Doug Jones voice since the cartoon movies, and it's Doug Jones for each iteration of Hellboy from here on out.

I've seen people mention David Hyde Pierce reprising the voice of Abe Sapien before, but they're wrong.

justhesh

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Antiterra — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:57:53 MDT

@skuddington: Don't worry, we all know what it's like: one too many refreshing, ice cold Coors Light, and...

Antiterra

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Grey Gecko — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:55:23 MDT

looks awesome, and am a fan of Red so i wouldnt mind givin it a try

Grey Gecko

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

skuddington — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:54:29 MDT

*facepalm*
I'm gonna shuffle off to bed now, please forget anything (and everything) I said.

skuddington

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

cio — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:53:34 MDT

Hellboy looks like Ted Danson.

cio

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:52:54 MDT

:'(

Luke Plunkett

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

skuddington — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:49:59 MDT

I apologize, I have indeed been drinking. Is it just me or did the silent hill 5 story disappear?

skuddington

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

TheNocturnalSun — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:48:02 MDT

@TOWER_JUNKIE: ya someone might want to edit that

TheNocturnalSun

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

TOWER_JUNKIE — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:44:41 MDT

" Hellboy: Science of Evil releases June 12 for the PSP, Xbox 360 and PSP."
I assume one of those "PSPs" should be PS3?

TOWER_JUNKIE

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:44:21 MDT

@skuddington:

It's a blog. What other page is it supposed to go to?

dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

ashtar — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:44:00 MDT

I am going to have to get it no matter what. Hellboy and B.P.R.D are some of the best modern comics, and unequivocally the best gothic horror comics ever. Plus they're sooooo Lovecraftian.

ashtar

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

mphz — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:43:13 MDT

@symphony_of_the_night: Seriously. The PS3 version will fail in the face of the MGS4 juggernaut.

mphz

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

skuddington — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:42:53 MDT

i appreciate the whole "got there first!" thing but really.... was this meant to hit the front page? no offence to Flynn, he's a fantastic writer, but i get the feeling this and the silent hill thing aren't meant for our eyes...

skuddington

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Palladium — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:40:51 MDT

Well, the solid previews don't mean much at this point. It's consistent quality that matters.
I've been burned far too many times by a preview saying "wow, this is great fun" turning to reviews saying "The preview is the sum of the game"

Palladium

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

symphony_of_the_night — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:39:31 MDT

June 12 ? That date is like killing the game before it was born ...
at least the PS3 version...

symphony_of_the_night

Hands on with Hellboy: Science of Evil

Grave — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:37:00 MDT

David Hyde Pierce?! For real? I was pretty upset that Doug Jones was doing the Abe Sapien voice for the second movie. Not that he's bad at it, but David Hyde Pierce was perfect.

Grave