CONSTANTINE

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You don't have to BELIEVE to know this is an interesting plot line with the makings of an interesting movie. (Can't say good or the Keanu R. trolls will come out swinging.)


While I an NOT a believer in the 'rapture', calling it idiocy is just insulting, inflammatory, intolerant, and has no place on this website.


Chris.

Another from Cinescape.com ....


A riff that’s done well, if not as unique as its makers seem to believe …


CONSTANTINE has the enjoyable, hard-charging energy of a movie being made by people who revel about equally in their characters, lore and special effects. The film is based on the HELLBLAZER comic series (fans of the print version may be unhappy with alterations made to the hero), but it also has concepts that are recognizable from Greg Widen’s PROPHECY films and various Clive Barker novels. However, if you don’t mind a couple of notions that have surfaced before, CONSTANTINE is pretty entertaining.


Keanu Reeves stars as John Constantine, a man with one hell of a problem. Plagued by visions as a child and believed by no one, Constantine committed suicide in adolescence. He was revived after two minutes – with the knowledge that his visions are real and that he’s now damned to Hell for having killed himself (despite the revival). He’s spent the rest of his life trying to work his way back into God’s good graces by sending wayward demons back to the infernal realms, but time is running out – Constantine has cancer. Worse, somebody has found the Spear of Destiny, which can bring about the birth of Lucifer’s son on Earth.


The screenplay by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, from Brodbin’s screen story, puts forth a fairly intricate yet easy to follow set of rules, making for a multitextured world, envisioned in creepy, weird splendor by director Francis Lawrence, who delivers some fascinating images and good shocks (there’s a car crash early on that’s a doozy). Reeves is just swell as the cranky, sly and resentful hero who is sincerely pissed off about the fate he’s trying to dodge, while Rachel Weisz does a fine job as the LAPD detective who has unusual reasons for seeking Constantine out. Tilda Swinton as the Angel Gabriel is so joyously ethereal and loopy, and such an inspired piece of casting, that we wouldn’t mind seeing the character’s other adventures.


CONSTANTINE is a bit tradition-bound in some ways, but it is satisfyingly dense, with visual pizzazz and narrative vitality. As mainstream horror/fantasy goes, it’s better than many – it has been thought out with conviction and executed with flair.

So I saw it... not a bad popcorn flick. The graphics were nicely done, even if demons weren't exactly as I pictured them . I did have a few issues with it (of course). Unless you want the movie ruined, do NOT read this:

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) I really could have done without the "Blade" rave scene at the birth of the anti-christ. The whole holy water in the sprinkler system, and then Keanu channeling the spirit of Neo to wipe out the baddies. I actually enjoyed the action up to that point, and felt that it was truly gratuitous and silly. And if Gabriel wanted the psychic chick, why not take her when she was standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER at the start of the movie. Silly.



And now these are the things that I didn't much understand....

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) What was allowing demons through? The whole darned movie everyone keeps saying that it was impossible, and yet there they were. And if they could just walk on through, then why not Mamon(sp?)? They never quite answered that part. Also, was it Gabriel or was it the possessed Mexican who was orchestrating the whole thing? Did he/she only step in when the plan went bad? And, silly question... I assume Gabriel was meant to be andromorphic? Not really a man or a woman? I wasn't sure if we were supposed to be able to tell. Oh, and how do half-breeds exist??? Seriously? How do they even come into being? They seem to kick off easy enough, but actually getting born wasn't covered very much



I thought Keanu was actually decent, Rachel Weisz makes my knees quiver, and Gabriel was... well done . Lou though... Lou was the best

I just watched it today, and it was surprisingly entertaining... I was a little bit alarmed after reading the horrible review on USA Today before going to the theater, but I am glad to say that my $9 (yes... $9) were well spent.


As someone mentioned above, I was actually very surprised to find the similarities between Constantine and the original Prophecy. I don't want to spoil it, so let me just say this much... The role of Gabriel and Satan (devil, lucifer, or whatever...) in the plot of this movie is exactly the same as in Prophecy... Being a fan of the Prophecy series (the acting by Christopher Walken by itself is worth watching these movies), Constantine looked like another sequel of the series (Prophecy IV?). But the actions were pretty good, and the sound mixing was excellent. I wasn't quite happy with the PQ though... Maybe it was the theater in my neighborhood, but the PQ was too grainy... I don't think it was what the director meant.


I actually have a question about the sound... Is it just me or did you find some dialogs were difficult to understand? I'm not talking about the content, but the volume of the dialog... It wasn't a problem at all for most of the movie, but there were some parts I just couldn't hear clearly what was said... Is it some new marketing scheme to make people want to buy the dvd later? I think I will buy the dvd anyway, but wanting to catch the parts I missed will probably make me buy it as soon as it comes out. I don't know... It was just so weird that some parts of the dialog was just not audible while the rest of the movie was just fine...


Yun-Oh