Better than expected

Rating: 7/10 (28 February 2005)

I had heard and read all sorts of negative reviews about Constantine, but I was unexpectedly surprised that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Yes, Keanu Reeves is a little stoic in the movie, but that's true of most of his films; he is, in essence, a good character actor. We know the type of person he's going to portray, and I don't think that should be a strike against him. Rachel Weisz is, as always, lovely, and she at least delivers a credible performance in her role.
I thought it was interesting that the angel Gabriel was played as a rather androgynous woman, and Satan was appropriately creepy without being overly demonic and horrifying. The special effects were, in my opinion, well done; nothing looked shoddy or unfinished. I think this movie contained some of the most visually arresting interpretations of Hell I've seen in film; I doubt anyone that sees Constantine will forget them.