A brilliant film set apart from the comic world

Rating: 8/10 (23 June 2006)

I have always felt this was one of the best characters DC/Vertigo has in its arsenal. Some felt the casting was off, especially considering John Constantine's creator (Alan Moore) once was quoted as saying he pictured the sorcerer being played by Sting. Regardless of how you feel about Keanu Reeves, or his acting abilities, this film had so much more to offer that the dubious casting became a moot point.
Constantine is a troubled modern mage, dying of lung cancer and sentenced to an eternity in Hell. After partnering up with a police detective played by Rachael Weisz, and running about with some interesting supporting characters, it becomes clear that Weisz's "Angela Dodson" is in mortal danger. Further investigation leads the pair on a quest that could determine the fate of the world, possibly save Constantine's destiny and even bring Satan up to Earth to collect the one soul he most desires...
The feel of this movie is dark and oppressive right from the start. The lighting was brilliant and the camera angles startling. The special effects could have been a bit more sturdy, but the film markers' idea of the Infernal Realm was spectacular. Only the demons themselves seemed lacking. I must say, I didn't notice the music so much, except for the inclusion of A Perfect Circle's song "Passive" in Papa Midnite's (Djimon Hounsou) bar.
And Papa Midnite was incredible. As was the rest of the supporting cast, who really fueled this movie. Shia LaBeouf was a perfect sidekick and comic relief as "Chas Kramer" for the stoic Constantine. Gavin Rossdale hurled away any leftover glam from his days as lead singer of Bush when playing the demon "Balthazar." "Gabriel" could not have been captured more fiercely or delicately than by anyone other than Tilda Swinton. Finally, Peter Stormare gave, perhaps, the greatest portrayal of The Devil since Al Pacino. (Hmmm... another Reeves film.)
No, this movie is NOT the comic book that many reader love. No, it's not a film for everyone. But for what the cast and crew set out to achieve, it is a fantastic piece of genre film making.