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Constantine (2005)

Constantine
National Lampoon's Vacation in Hell!

Starring:

Keanu Reaves
Rachel Weisz
Djimon Hounsou
Tilda Swinton

Released By:

Warner Brothers

Released In:

2005

Rated:

R

Reviewed By:

Adam Mast

Grade:

B-


Constantine is a dark, rather brooding action-thriller based on the popular DCVertigo comic book Hellblazer by Kevin Brodbin, Mark Bomback and Frank Capello. As a film, it's strongest attribute is clearly it's striking visual tone, which points to a promising future for it's creative director, Francis Lawrence (a veteran music video director).

Constantine features Keanu Reeves as the title character, a cynical, bitter individual who runs around the city exorcising demons from unsuspecting victims. He's had this gift (or as he likes to call it - a curse) since childhood. But there are rules that govern all this supernatural gamesmanship. Demons are able to influence and invade a host, but they are unable to actually cross into our world and create mischief - that is, until now. As Constantine attempts to get to the bottom of this unsettling development, he is lead to police officer Angela Dodson, a grief-stricken woman who is mourning the loss of her twin sister. Constantine opens Angela's eyes to a world she never consciously knew existed, and together, the odd pair (or God Couple) embark on a harrowing journey to discover the source of the evil that is plaguing their lives.

From the opening scene, I was immediately won over by the style of this movie. Lawrence's images paint a thousand words. Constantine does have a fair share of flashy moments, but they never drown out the experience. Lawrence does allow the movie to breathe and even leaves room for a little drama. Take for instance Angela's situation. Her reason for deciding to become involved with Constantine is one of the most compelling and dramatic aspects of the film.

Keanu Reeves hams it up as the hard-boiled and reluctant hero John Constantine, a chain smoking cynic who does what he does in hopes that he might win enough brownie points with the man upstairs so that one day, when the dust has settled, he will be allowed admittance into heaven. Reeves appears to be meshing characteristics of his roles in The Matrix and The Devil's Advocate with mixed results. This is definitely one of those more wooden performances that he is often roasted because of. Rachel Weisz lends emotion to the proceedings as a woman who desperately wants to know why her devout catholic sister has committed suicide.

Gavin Rossdale (of rock band Bush) turns in a sly cameo as the bad boy Balthazar, while independent film darling Tilda Swinton makes a brief but charismatic appearance as the power-hungry Gabriel. There are other noteworthy actors who make up the supporting cast, but they're virtually unnecessary. The commanding Djimoun Hounsou shows up for all of five minutes as a sort of mediator between the world of men and the valley of supernatural beings, while the likable Shia LaBeouf shows up as Constantine's sidekick; a wasted role that's on par with his seemingly worthless part in last summer's I, Robot. This kid deserves better.

Unfortunately, the screenplay never finds a true rhythm, and this ultimately diminishes the world Lawrence has vividly tried to bring to the screen. With it's religious theologies and focus on spirituality, Constantine certainly brought to mind Mike Nichols' Angels in America, the Christopher Walken thriller Prophecy and, to some extent, Kevin Smith's Dogma (minus the lethal dose of bathroom humor), but it's undercurrent of cheesy dialogue and b-movie posturing (wait until you see the fashion in which eccentric actor Peter Stormare plays the Prince of Darkness) keep it from reaching it's true potential.

There will, no doubt, be many who are offended by the religious undertones as presented by this sort of Blade-inspired action movie. In the end though, the writing is just so facile and silly as to render this concern all but moot. The real reason to see Constantine is to marvel at the visual bravado director Francis Lawrence has brought to the screen. I can't wait to see what this guy does next.

:: zBoneman.com Reader Comments ::

JD

JD

Where did you find that picture dude, that is hilarious - I wonder if they did it on purpose?

bum sack.org

bum sack.org

Is this like Bill and Ted go to hell part 2?

Ringer

Ringer

Constantine was a pretty fun movie, I enjoyed most of it mainly it's old fashioned detective movie feel. If nothing else it's whetted my appetite for the Ring 2

The Dizzman

The Dizzman

Would you believe one day that the Devil and god made a wager for all human souls, the winner take all in essence. The only rule was no direct contact; either side could influence humans one way or another but not take direct action. This is referred to as the balance and it appears that someone has broke the balance and caught in the middle is John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) a world-traveling, mage-like misfit who investigates supernatural mysteries and the like, walking a thin line between evil and good. When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost. Does it have something to do with a mysterious group called "The First of the Fallen"? And what is it about Constantine that puts him in a position where he is making deals with representatives from both Heaven and Hell?

Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels.

The movie is very stylized and almost has a feel of the occult to match the story it is based on, and that is what the movie is about: story. I mean when you cast Keanu Reeves (whoa) as your main character you better be sure you have a kick ass story to back him up, and just like with the Matrix they did and that is what makes the movie so good. The story is rich and enthralling and gathers you up with its take on the bible, heaven and hell and demons all the while it moves with a hectic pace of an action packed thrill ride. I don't know how anyone couldn't like a movie that has a rich story, plenty of action and fighting all the while sprinkled with the supernatural. The movie is a roller coaster ride that manages to tell you a story at the same time it manages to give you thrills and chills.

Keanu Reeves isn't the worst actor in Hollywood but wooden will always be the best way to describe him. That is why he fits the role so well in the film, the character Constantine also seems very wooden and moves with a deliberation that is slow and constant. Keanu fills into the role with ease and just like in the Matrix leaves you with one of those memorable characters that you will remember for a long time. This is an amazing feat for an actor that has little range and shows the importance of picking roles that are fit just for you rather than trying to adapt outside of your abilities. I have liked Rachel Weisz for quite sometime now as an actress as she just has a grace that drips off the screen. She is a great counterpart for Reeves as her emotion fills in for Reeves lack thereof. I found the movie highly enjoyable and who doesn't like a taste of the supernatural now and then.

The Boneman

The Boneman

Have a tough time with Keanu, but I caught this one on video the other night and totally dug it. It's not easy to make such far flung and ambitious good vs evil heaven and hell god vs the devil shit work - and I'll be damned if I didn't really enjoy it. I'd go B+

The Boneman

The Boneman

Pardon the pun but i have to Adamantly disagree with your assessment of Peter Stormare's take on Satan. Agter seeing the untimate bad guy as a fiery forked tongue reptilian beast for years, Stormares take on him as kind of a sleezy scumbag was genius - it was my favorite part of the movie, A movie that I think is the strongest film of it's ilk since Devil's Advocate, other than some stagey business in the film's narrative i think it's brilliant and will be thought of as such as it makes it's way to DVD land.

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