Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Whereas Guillermo del Toro’s 2004 original film was a sci-fi adventure akin to Men in Black, its sequel embraces a premise, aesthetic and tone more in line with fantasy films than science fiction. Considering del Toro was coming off of the Oscar-winning adult fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth, one could hardly blame him for bringing some of that mindset to the world of Hellboy. Luckily, the fantastical elements bring just the right twist to keep the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense’s second adventure fresh. Funnier, more visually dazzling and a more satisfying character-driven story, Hellboy II: The Golden Army set the stage for such an epic conclusion to the trilogy that fans are still holding out hope for a third film. Please?