Not As Bad As Some Say

Rating: 6/10 (20 February 2005)

This is another unfortunate jaunt into the world of Comic Book Land.
I wasn't in a hurry to see this movie. I've seen the Matrix. This was not the Matrix; however. It is dark, stars Keanu Reeves, and even has some of the same "feel" as the Matrix, but this story is completely different.
Although I was disturbed by the not-so-latent homosexuality of Satan, I found it quite enjoyable. KR plays his part well and Rachael Weiss is excellent as the supporting female lead. I have no qualms about this adaptation, or this production as a whole.
The art of adapting comic books is quite difficult and requires a real understanding of the universe from which you are creating a new work. This attempt left me feeling like well, at least they tried. While it lacks the dynamics of the X-Men franchise, it is far more bold than other substandard comic book/video game lines (Daredevil, Hulk, Doom, Streetfighter) and pulls itself up well with no support from anywhere except the DC comics upon which this is based; specifically, "Dangerous Habits," the edition in which John Constantine contracts lung cancer and then negotiates his way out of it.
Check out the nod to Alien 3 with the "dog-alien" face lick and what appears to be a little bit of the musical score from that same movie.
I really enjoyed Constantine and can't wait to own it on DVD.
It rates a 6/10 from...
the Fiend :.