OK movie, no more, no less

Rating: 6/10 (5 January 2006)

Constantine is an exorcist, damned to hell, and dying too. In an attempt to gain a ticket to heaven, he expels demons and casts them back in hell. Normally only half demons are to be found in this mortal world, but lately, full demons are trying to cross over too. A series of strange events makes Constantine weary that something bigger is about to happen. Step by step a devilish plan is revealed, and in the end it is up to Constantine to prevent hell on earth.
I thought this movie began very promising: very dark and mysterious. But it looses it's darkness and mystery, sadly enough, to become a more ordinary comic book movie: the tormented, swearing, drinking and smoking anti-hero Constantine becomes a real hero, too good to be true, with a heart and big guns, shooting around, saving the day. Of course he has to save the world, what kind of movie would it be otherwise. But his sharp edge gets lost and I started missing it. It comes back by moments, but in general he is to nice and friendly towards good people. A lot of this might have to do with Rachel Weisz, as Angela investigating the strange suicide of her twin sister, being to shiny and sweet to be a good companion for Constantine. The character of Angela (and her twin sister) might have good potential, but Rachel Weisz misses something to make those potentials reality.
But there are other things in the movie to make up for that: the angel Gabriel takes over from Constantine to becoming a more interesting character. Tilda Swinton is very well casted to play this character. I was quite surprised when Gavin Rossdale suddenly appeared on the screen, as half-breed demon Balthazar. Later Sithboy told me that the director, Francis Lawrence, is also a video clip director, and probably picked up Rossdale that way. Anyway, I must say Gavin Rossdale is not too bad as a demon. The thematic of heaven and hell, demons, angels, exorcism, etc. is attractive and keeps a bit of mystery alive in the movie and makes it amusing to watch.
In short: the movie was amusing, good entertainment, but it didn't make me go up in it's world, it didn't stick with me and it didn't make me really enthusiastic. It didn't make me feel, like I think a real good movie should.