I would first like to say that I have never read the comic. For those of you in shock, yes, Constantine is a movie that is based of the Vertigo/DC comic title Hellblazer.
I have never read the comic and this, from what I understand, makes me completely biased towards the movie. Every time I do a review I do my research, like a good journalist. I review the cast, check the history, write down the problem (I’m somewhat of a movie buff) and then read what Roger Ebert says. I’m from Chicago, so as a movie buff I have to read what he says. Lately though, the man seems to be losing it. That’s a different story.
Anyway, I tried to get as much research as I could about the comic to try and give two good view points. Now that that it said, let me go into my review.
Constantine is about John, a man who can see things others can not. What he can see are the demons from hell sent by Satan himself.
The movie starts off telling us about the Spear of Destiny, the spear that killed Jesus while he was on the cross. After a startling beginning, we are now treated to a taste of how John does his “work.” John, smoking a cigarette now and practically every time you see him, shows up at an apartment complex where his friend and priest has called him.
It seems a girl is possessed. While getting rid of the demon, John notices that this is no ordinary demon, this is a soldier demon. At the same time, Isabel Dodson commits suicide. Her sister and detective Angela is convinced that she wouldn’t have committed suicide. While investigating she finds her one and only clue pointing her to Constantine.
As I movie, I thought Constantine was very enjoyable. At moments the camera angles, character actions and direction of the movie seemed very comic-bookish.
I loved the vision of how hell would look like and it took on something new. It wasn’t some cave of fire or underworld, but a sort of hell-on-earth; a different plain of reality.
I’m not factually there as far as the Bible goes, but I love the metaphors of names and references used in the movie. Of course, in a movie dealing with the battle between God and Satan, you would have to be keen on your facts.
Two of my favorite parts in the movie are when the viewer finds out that there are actually two versions of the Bible (I have said too much in that sense) and a scene near the end involving Constantine and a certain reaction he has toward Satan.
And much to the critics of Keanu Reeves, I enjoyed him in this movie. He plays someone who really doesn’t care, and considering Reeves is somewhat emotionless, the role fit him perfect. I like Reeves as an actor and most people like to bash him before they even see the movie.
Much of the other cast is a more supportive role than anything. Rachel Weisz, from The Mummy movies, is fairly good in the movie, playing Angela. She does a good job playing a sister who is desperate to find answers to the mystery of her sister’s sudden suicide. Tilda Swinton, from Vanilla Sky and Adaptation, does a really good job annoying the crap out of me. I would have like to seen more of Gavin Rossdale, leader singer of Bush, and Shia LaBeouf, I Robot and Holes. They had limited roles but from what I saw I wanted more. Peter Stormare, Minority Report and Bad Boys 2, is hilarious as Satan.
My problem with the movie was that in the first 30 minutes of the movie I felt lost and confused. For most people this is enough time to tune out and stop paying attention.
I also felt that some things were never fully explained. In the beginning there is a drawing of the Spear of Destiny in the girl’s room. Was she possessed when she drew it or what? Little knick-knacks like that can bother most people.
After doing my research I found out that the movie version is “Americanized” as one fan on a chat room said. This is somewhat true. John Constantine is a blonde Englishman, not Reeves.
The comic deals with religion on a greater scale compared to the movie. Also, Chas, who is Shia LeBeouf in the movie, is not a teenager.
Some fans of the comic seem to be happy while most are disappointed. However that is usually the case with comic book movies.
You win some, you lose some, as far as comic fans go. Constantine, however, won me over, as a movie.

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