HERE is a comic book adaptation that retains the dark, brooding atmosphere of the source material and still manages to appeal to a mainstream audience.

Pivotal to the film's success is acclaimed Mexican writer-director Guillermo Del Toro, who possesses a rare ability to juggle horror and comedy, having previously sunk his teeth into the vampire flick Blade II.

In many ways, Hellboy is a creature of similar habit, boasting a menagerie of otherworldly foes, spectacular fight sequences and a blitzkrieg of computer generated special effects.

The film opens during the sturm and drang of World War II.

The German Reich enlists the services of a black magician, Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden), to destroy the advancing Allies by opening a portal between our world and the demon universe.

The Nazi plot is thwarted at the last minute by brave American troops, but not before a demon-like creature called Hellboy escapes into the world.

Professor Broom (John Hurt), founder of the clandestine BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Development), takes Hellboy under his wing, hoping to use his superhuman strength to vanquish evil, rather than perpetrate it.

The two foster a close father-son relationship.

Sixty years later, when old adversary Rasputin rises from the grave, Broom and Hellboy join forces with fish-man Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), sexy 'pyrokineticist' Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and fledgling FBI agent John Myers (Rupert Evans) to save the day.

However, Rasputin has gathered a small army of evil helpers to do his bidding, including the undead assassin Kroenen (Ladislav Beran) and a beast from the underworld called Sammael.

Hellboy is a rollicking thrill ride, underscored with a well-developed story of one man/creature's valiant struggle against his supposed destiny.

Perlman's cigar-chomping, horny little devil is an endearing creation.

He is self-deprecating and vulnerable in the company of his one true love, Liz (''I can promise you two things,'' he tells her, "One: I'll always look this good and two: I'll never give up on you... ever."), and kick-ass and moody when battling the hellish hordes.

He rocks.

Jones is a fascinating sidekick, Blair proves an intriguing love interest and Evans essays effectively a young upstart with feelings of his own for Liz.

Production design is superb and the computer effects are largely excellent, save for a few shots during the finale when Hellboy faces off against a gargantuan foe.

Devilishly entertaining.

See it at UCI, Odeon