Intelligentally created comic book action adventure!!

Rating: 9/10 (19 August 2005)

There will always be the typical arguments about this film. Some will adore it, some will hate it and complain about it to no end. Fact remains that it pulled in hundreds of millions at the box office. Does that make it good?? No. It just makes it popular hence all the difference in opinions. I have never read the Hellblazers comic books so I went into this with no expectations and was pleasantly blown away by it.
Keanu Reeve's acting ability is limited, that's no secret but nonetheless there are some roles that have him stamped all over it such as Neo in the Matrix series, or any brooding, quiet type action hero and the lead role of John Constantine seems to fit him like a glove. Constantine appears to be your typical action horror film and not hard to create but the real genius behind Constantine that sets it apart from all the rest if that it actually becomes a very intelligent, complex thriller filled with religious overtones and an interesting plot line. I can't disagree more with some IMDb critics who called the plot "flat" and Constantine's character underdeveloped. I thought the writers of the film (also writers of the comic) did an amazing job of creating these characters in one film. They perhaps gave us too much if they're hoping to turn this into a franchise. Reeves' Constantine is a dark lonely sort who has struggled with his ability to see demons since he was a child. His inner turmoil and emotionally repressed state comes through in a major way. He has very few close friends, family so to speak and one by one in this film they are killed off. They were great characters and I was sad to see each one go because they had so much more potential but it was necessary for us to see the life which Constantine lives. Rachel Weisz as the lead actress and somewhat romantic interest does a great job. Weisz is very versatile and interesting actress and is easy to watch. She seems to take any role with ease. Reeves and her have great chemistry and they work well together on screen.
Francis Lawrence who, up until now, has been known only for music videos does an amazing job as his directorial debut. The special effects were NOT cheesy as some critics will say but rather subtly used which is much nicer change. The film was not flagrantly full of CGI and annoying fake effects. The action was non stop and on top of that comes an incredible story. The religious aspects however fictional they may be are interesting and we are given more and more information as we go along and you can't help but be caught up in this spiritual battle on earth between Constantine and the half breeds (half demon, half human.) On top of that there are several scenes where we get a glimpse into hell which is kept so brief that it keeps us wondering and imagining the horrors. The appearance near the end of Satan at first seems very tacked on and he's not very impressive. However as he continues in his role (played by character actor Peter Stormare) you begin to feel an evil there, something held back, something within. You begin to see that this calm facade is only burying something more and I hope in the future they bring him back for more. There is history to be discussed between Satan and Constantine. Overall I don't think there is much better for an intelligent, offbeat action film out there. I would see this again and again and I hope for Franchise status although I don't think any will be as good as this original. The Constantine character and film is brilliantly done with loads of promise for future stories. Check this one out for action fans. 9/10