Hellboy Animated - Sword of Storms (DVD, 2007)

This is the first one out of two Hellboy Animated short films. It runs about 77 Mins (main feature) and has a lot of extras. Some Tech details: Single-Disc Edition, Dual-layer disc, almost 7.64 GB in capacity, also has Special DVD-ROM features, which make viewing more fun, and easy to compare the featurettes with the way of implementing them in the final Anime. Video: Widescreen 1.78:1, with superb clarity. Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 for the Director's commentary, both in Original English language, plus DD 2.0 in Spanish. Extras: Many featurettes, more than enough to keep Hellboy fans happy, especially considering the fact that this is an Animated short film. Box presentation: This is the official US Reg.1 release, with a glossy outer cardboard sleeve. Also included is a special edition 32-page comic strip, called "Phantom Limbs", an official Dark-Horse release, and also a Chapter Selection Inlay sheet, with a Hellboy Anime picture art, printed oposite. As for the film itself, i find it great, not just as a Hellboy Fan, but as a cartoon in general. Also keep in mind that voice acting is performed by the same actors of the Hellboy Movies (Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones e.t.c.), and the creative production is carried out by Guillermo Del Toro & Mike Mignola, which ensures a close-to-main movies Hellboy experience. Definitelly recommended.

This is the first of a series of direct to DVD Animated “Hellboy” movies. In “Sword of Storms”, a Japanese folklore professor becomes possessed by ancient demons. When the B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) go to investigate Hellboy finds himself transported in time to ancient Japan surrounded by mythological demons and monsters. The producers of “Hellboy Animated” have presented us with a unique series of animated features. Although presented in a more cartoonish style than the popular Dark Horse Comic books and the 2004 movie starring Ron Perlman, the animated features are far from the usual Saturday morning cartoon. Although unrated this is definitely not for kids, although it does not contain any explicit violence or language the level of frightening imagery and content is appropriate for children over 13 but also enjoyable for adults. Produced by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and Hellboy movie director Guillermo Del Toro and starring the voices of the original cast from the movie including Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones, “Hellboy Animated” is an exciting and fun experience for any fan of Hellboy or animation! Also, look for the next “Hellboy Animated” feature: “Blood & Iron”!
Also recommended: “Justice League”, “Justice League: Unlimited”!

After several attemps to capture Hellboy: Sword of Storms off Starz on my DVR, and always getting Hellboy: Blood and Iron (the only animated Hellboy I have seen) I had to buy this DVD. I found the story to be quite enjoyable; it was nice being introduced to some of the monsters out of Japanese folklore. Their idea of what is scary differs from Americans, and since I had not been introduced too much to this folklore, I really enjoyed this Hellboy story. Ron Perlman is Hellboy in my mind, and he does a great job at the voice acting. Hellboy is fast becoming another great hero in my mind, and I am really, really disappointed that they did not make a lot more of these Hellboy animated movies. I would rather not say anything more that may be construed as a spoiler, so suffice it to say that this is an enjoyable cartoon adventure. I recommend it.

If there was a rating that could mark this film higher than excellent I would mark it as that. Just as good as the film. Beautiful animation and decent voice acting. Such a good storyline, not clumsy in any way. Good sense of humor.

The seller who sold this was ultra friendly, had confidence buying it.

I bought this movie because I loved the non animated film so much. I wasn't disappointed.

This animated film includes the voice talents of Ron Pearlman. The story-line was solid and the animation progressive. Hellboy fans would be pleased.