Not for hard core, unbending fan boys

Rating: 9/10 (15 March 2005)

or for those unwilling to let a couple of things slip. Or those who require everything tiny thing explained, and cant just let not having it so go.
I wasn't expecting much when i entered the theatre to see Constantine, although having read the hell blazer comics i was looking forward to seeing how they portrayed the deep dark character of John Constantine - which i think they did particularly well - on screen.
As the plot develops we are introduced slowly to the character of Angela, played wondrously by Rachel weisz, and john Constantine, played surprisingly well by Keanu reeves. The camera pans back to reveal great performances by the likes of Shia Labeouf, who at first appears to play the arch-typical annoying sidekick character, but turns out to be a great addition to the cast, and the half-breeds, namely Balthazar and the delectable Gabriel. These surprisingly... interesting and 'deep' (And in Balthazar's case camp! :) ) - if you are willing to suspend the theology lesson for an hour or two- characters deliver fantastic performances and drive the plot on its merry way in a brilliant fashion.
The humour throughout is dark and honest; currently one of John's most repeated lines is 'A mental patient killing herself? Now that's just crazy'. Nothing is pulled when it comes to depicting the darker moodier side of the characters natures.
Throughout the movie the audience are expected to think a bit more for themselves on occasions. The screenplay writers have been innovative in their work - not sticking with the traditional 'garlic kills this, sunlight kills that' - yet they have seen fit not to use the traditional five minute explanation as to why it would work. For those who are wondering why a mirror would work (Tee hee, go see it, you'll understand ;) ) why does it matter? what is there to stop anything new from working in this world? Alongside infuriating pedants i would not recommend this movie to hardcore fan boys expecting exactly what the comics deliver, its a work very much inspired by Hellblazer. Which is exactly why it was called 'Constantine' instead of just 'Hellblazer'. It has taken the Character and Ideas.
As with any movie, some will love it, some will hate it, some will laugh. The comic adaptations have been booming lately and i would place this one amongst the few, such as hell boy, who are doing their origins justice. Not only does it do that, I think it does so without having to mimic the subject matter. The writers, actors, CGI weird monster things have put damn near their all in this.
And id like to take this chance to thank the costume designers for putting Gabriel in that outfit... (Dribble)