Does what it is supposed to do quite nicely.

Rating: 8/10 (19 February 2005)

I've noticed a trend in the reviews of those who really loathed this movie. They are either big fans of the comic, or they really hate Keanu Reeves. Well, Keanu isn't going to be winning any Oscars, but his performance is certainly one of his best, and he has an excellent supporting cast, as well as great cinematography and set pieces, to nurse him along.
To be succinct, this movie is an absolute hoot. Its version of hell is without a doubt the most creative and frightening I've seen in a movie. The many visual effects help instead of distract.
The best thing about the movie? It was a REAL "good vs. evil" story. The good was righteous, and the evil was reprehensible and vile. Peter Stormare is really a fantastically good (which means bad) Satan.
The worst thing about the movie? The inexplicable "holy shotgun". It is a gold-painted gaudy monstrosity, which looks about as dangerous as a super soaker. The gunfight was pretty well filmed, so couldn't they at least have given the man something other than the sissy pistol? A normal shotgun with holy shells would have been much better.
In conclusion, if you want a very good, entertaining movie, with some genuinely chilling moments, great characters, and an interesting plot, go see this one. If you want the comic books, stay home and read them. If you hate Keanu, just hush. We already know he's not Deniro, so live with it.
For what it does, I give it 8/10 and will buy it on DVD when it comes out.
TheMonk