Hellblazer fans rejoice! DC/Vertigo's first comic book film is a resounding success!

Rating: 10/10 (10 February 2005)

Constantine isn't so much a comic book film, however, as it is a morality play set in modern times. Considering his namesake, this should come as a surprise to no one. What is surprising is how well it works within the context of the hellish world he lives in.
John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), an irreverent, surly occultist, finds himself in the middle of a war between Heaven and Hell. He meets Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), a detective from Los Angeles, determined to find out why her sister was murdered. Together they uncover a plot to bring about the Apocalypse and strive to stop it at all costs.
Pretty standard fare, right? Again, surprisingly not.
In many ways, this film is like Marvel Comics' BLADE franchise, in that it took the clichéd horror genre that's been done to death, and breathes new life into it.
The people largely responsible for this are director Francis Lawrence and producer Lauren Shuler Donner. By remaining faithful to the core of the literary character, they reinvigorated Constantine and made him appealing to old and new fans alike. In forcing him to take a more proactive role in the war between Heaven and Hell, Constantine is less stagnant and reactionary and as a result, more dynamic.
Relax, comic fanboys, no mention is made of Constantine being an American, (he is British in the Hellblazer comic) nor has he been redesigned into a Jerry Bruckheimer hero. Even the wry humor of Garth Ennis (whose long run as writer on Hellblazer is arguably the best of many) is sprinkled throughout the film. No one is safe around Constantine, and the filmmakers did not tap dance around this important aspect of the character. They nailed the character of John Constantine perfectly. So, what else can be said about the film? It's an impressive debut from Lawrence. He does not over rely on the CGI to tell the story, nor does he shoehorn in an out of place song. If he plays his cards right, Lawrence could be the next David Fincher by having his own unique visual flair without being too obtrusive.
Likewise, the cast puts their own stamp on the characters without giving campy and over-the-top performances. Reeves puts in a decent performance, and it's obvious he enjoys playing the character. Tilda Swinton, turns in a particularly inspired performance as the androgynous archangel Gabriel. Likewise, Peter Stormare channels both Hannibal Lecter and Charles Manson in his role as Satan.
Even the minor characters, Chas (Shia LaBeouf), Papa Midnite (Djimon Hounsou), Balthazar (Gavin Rossdale) get equal treatment and a believable performance out of each. Each performance hinting at a rich tapestry behind each character. From Papa Midnite's club (where "neutrals" from Heaven and Hell meet) to Balthazar's demonic manipulations of earthbound dwellers, every minute is filled with the series' mythology.
If one is expecting a pure action film or non-stop screams, they may be let down. Constantine has its share of genuine scares and inventive action sequences but, they serve to add to the film, not supplant it. The same goes for Stan Winston's contribution (makeup) and the CGI in the film. Everything mixes together to create a competent morality play for our times.
A minor flaw with the film would be with the pacing. The necessity of introducing the mythology and large cast create a slow build, atypical for a horror or action film. However, by the end it all comes together nicely.
Having read Garth Ennis' DANGEROUS HABITS storyline, it's very on par, only a little more darker. There is even nods to past story lines, such as Jaime Delano's Gary Lester encounter with Mnemoth to Rick the Vic and his ultimate demise and the themes that went with it.
All in all, a high recommendation to fans of the horror genre. This is a comic book film that rises above the trappings and becomes something more widely appealing. If you like X-Files, chances are you'll enjoy this film. It's a solid film from start to finish and is well worth the time spent viewing it.