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John Constantine has been to hell and back.
Born with a gift he didn't want, the ability to clearly recognize the half-breed angels and demons that walk the earth in human skin, Constantine was driven to take his own life to escape the tormenting clarity of his vision. But he failed. Resuscitated against his will, he found himself cast back into the land of the living. Now, marked as an attempted suicide with a temporary lease on life, he patrols the earthly border between heaven and hell, hoping in vain to earn his way to salvation by sending the devil's foot soldiers back to the depths.
But Constantine is no saint. Disillusioned by the world around him and at odds with the one beyond, he's a hard-drinking, hard-living bitter hero who scorns the very idea of heroism. Constantine will fight to save your soul but he doesn't want your admiration or your thanks - and certainly not your sympathy.
All he wants is a reprieve.
When a desperate but sceptical police detective, Angela Dodson, enlists his help in solving the mysterious death of her beloved 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.
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Review by: wheeled thing
Dated: 12th of March, 2005
I have watched many movies based on comic books in the past and have regularly been disappointed (Hellboy, Spiderman 2) so it was with a measure of wariness that I entered the theatre to watch this latest attempt.
Unlike the previous reviewer, I had no idea that there was a comic book. Now that I do know, I can kinda understand some of the characters and fantastic abilities.
A particularly high degree of special effects made the cartoon based action seem that much closer to 'real life'
Overall, pretty darn impressed. I'll certainly be looking for this one when it reaches the shelves.
Review by: kiwireviewer-00
Dated: 9th of March, 2005
Once again, a movie based on a comic series. As always, it can be very difficult to give characters the same depth and the viewers the same insights in a move as the book contains. It's simply because in a book/comic, a good author can give you insights into the character's mental state by giving you thoughts, narrative, etc. Movie's don't bring it off the same. So, it was with some slight hint of pre-emptive "Oh Grud, here we go..." that I settled back and pressed the 'play' button.
The movie itself actually, shockingly, followed the plot of the comics pretty well, which really impressed me. (Yes, I used to read the 'Hellblazer' comics the movie is based on.) However, they changed key elements of the plot to Americanise it somewhat. This caused some major friction between Hellblazer creator Alan Moore and film-makers Warner Brothers. For a start, Constantine started out as a blonde Brit, and has suddenly morphed into a dark-haired Yank.
Moore, creator of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (aka LXG), has been rumoured to have turned his back on this movie entirely, demanding that his name be removed from the credits, and that royalties due to him be diverted and split between the artists, Rick Veitch and Stephen Bissette. Now that is dedication to one's ideals. To underline that, on the topic of LXG, Moore was quoted as saying "The film has got nothing to do with my work, it has a coincidental title to a book I've done and they've given me a huge wedge of money. No problem with that."
Overall, I found 'Constantine' to be quite a good one, even with Keanu Reeves playing, well, Keanu Reeves. (Is this guy TRYING to over-ride every character, or what?!) The special effects were stunning (I especially liked the Hell scenes... Heaven was just corny), the occult rituals and methodologies were stunningly good, and the casting was spot-on. This one will be placed in the hallowed shelves of my collection right away, I think.
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I was wondering why this movie seemed to familiar then I thought of it, "The Devil's Advocate!'. Yet another Keanu flick that pitches his character against the devil.
I must admit he plays it very well. He looks great too but this dark and moody business is getting a little old hat.
the movie was good. There was a story that was followed but it could have had more "kick" for my liking.
the hell seens were well thought out but heaven was a let down.
In present day film making were every movie has similiar special effects I thought this would have had more grunt.
Keanu and Rachael work well together and all the characters are well played and draw you in however I didn't leave the threatre thinking about the plot, the effects or anything really.
Usually there is plenty to talk about after a movie but it just seemed to be missing something.
if you are into the occult and love keanu then it is a 'safe'and 'pleasent"movie to go and see.
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