Constantine between comics and movies, heaven and hell....

Rating: 7/10 (8 April 2005)

We find ourselves at the gates of Hell for this one. And our guide is none other than Mr. "Woah..." himself...Keanu Reeves! This is the cinematic adaptation of the Hellblazer comic starring Alan Moore's enigmatic and esoteric oculist, John Constantine.
Conatantine is a breath of fresh air in an overly stale horror wave of the last month.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360486/
John Constantine is an occult detective of sorts that spends his time confronting demons and devils in an attempt to maintain some karmic-like balance of good and evil on the prime material plane of Earth.
I have always liked the Constantine character because of his cloak of mystery and his apparent willingness to confront any Demonic power or Ancient Alien God without any apparent powers of his own. He seemed like a rough edged detective that was never afraid to confront beings that should have crushed his soul between their toes, but he always seemed to find a way to come out on top.
In case you're so dense (or my writing is too obtuse) that you haven't figured out that I'm a comic fan boy from way back , then I'll point it out for you. I'm a fan boy. And I loved this film.
Yes I had to forget that Constantine was supposed to be British and look like the rocker, Sting. Once I did that, I was able to sit back and enjoy Keanu's stone-faced interpretation of the mystical walker between worlds. I mean in you think about it, a rumpled tan trench coat would look awfully boring on screen.
I felt the film had the right blend of action and horror to make it a truly enjoyable experience. The CGI in the film is the best on screen in years and the storyline of a man caught between heaven and hell was completely engrossing.
I felt that if the film had focused more on subtlety and less on CGI in various places, that it could have been an absolute classic. As it is, the CGI is used properly and there is enough tension and dread to bring some horrific moments to the surface from time to time.
I thought the filmmakers did an excellent job of mixing all of the elements to make a truly enjoyable modern detective cum exorcist Gothic horror.
This was the first horror film since Saw that actually entertained me throughout the entire film and left me feeling that I got my money's worth.
FYI - The apotheosis of the Constantine character came in the Books of Magic by Neil Geiman. He is in a mystical club filled with every demonic power and evil archmage this side of the Abyss. Constantine is guarding young Tim Hunter, a teenager with the potential to become the greatest mystic the universe has ever seen. Every demonic Prince and their Legions of Cults are looking for Tim Hunter to rip his throat out. Just as every malevolent beast in the club turns and surrounds the hapless Tim Hunter we hear the flick of a lighter. The club turns as one and looks upon the trench coat wearing John Constantine as he lights a cigarette. Constantine looks calmly out into the gathered hordes and says;
Quote: "Nobody touches that boy.
That's right. The boy's mine. And in thirty seconds, me, and him, and the witch are going to walk out of here.
You know who I am. Or you ought to.
You know my reputation. Now...
Does anyone here really want to start something?"
The demons part like an unholy Red Sea and allow the trio of heroes to leave unscathed. And Constantine never does anything other than light a cigarette. Brilliant!
Anyway, I enjoyed the film and think you should take it under consideration. And if you enjoyed the film , go buy all of ALan Moore's issues of Swamp Thing (where Constantine first appeared) and The Books of Magic by Neil Geiman. The Hellblazer series is pretty decent with the best stories coming from writers Garth Ennis and Brian Azarrello.
overall grade: B+/A-.
OK, freaks, my sixty seconds are up. Let's all go run outside and howl at the moon.
Peace.