Big screen bouts: 'Hellboy II' vs. 'Meet Dave'

By Patrick Kevin Day,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Two movies. One weekend. Most will assess their success on box-office tallies. We consider the film’s finer points: star power, quotability and all-around coolness. May the best film win.

In one corner we have “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” the highly anticipated follow-up by Guillermo del Toro, a director beloved by audiences and critics alike. In the other corner, we have “Meet Dave,” the latest family comedy starring box-office heavyweight Eddie Murphy.

One has hip summer fun written all over it. The other was already racking up scorn as early as last fall, during the Oscar season. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer – “Hellboy II” could whip “Dave” around the block.

But not so fast. Murphy’s been in this game a long time. And you don’t stay around as long as Murphy has by displaying a glass jaw. He may just give Hellboy a run for his money.