Dark and fantastic!

Rating: 9/10 (28 April 2008)

I actually just saw this movie for the second or third time recently and decided I must come here and give it at least a nine vote. It really hasn't been given the credit it deserves although over time the IMDb scores seem to credit those movies that deserve it. This movie almost came and went without any publicity at all in 2005. I had not heard of it and neither had any of my friends. And yet it is the best movie in this field. It is the best translation of a comic (Sin City and others have nothing on Constantine), and it is the best "battle between heaven and hell on earth"-movie I have seen so far. But make no mistake - it is a very dark movie. Perhaps that is the reason some people don't seem to like it that much. But the darkness is also the strength of this movie, it gives the movie a special atmosphere and air that is an essential part of the plot and the characters in it. It is magnificent.
The acting is quite good and Keanu Reeves acting style fits the role of Constantine very well. There are lots of special effects in this movie and I must say they are very well made most of the time. They also play a role in the plot and aren't just cut in there as show offs... Some of the effects feel somewhat subdued but honestly that was alright by me - I feel it was probably a deliberate choice they made out of artistic reasons. They certainly had a budget for this movie but I think they spent it wisely.
For this is a VERY well made motion picture. The plot is not all that original, but the atmosphere and darkness and characters and motivations all come together to make this movie a very special one.
I can only say that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Don't miss out on it!