Again, it happens

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2005)

So predictable. I wonder how many of the folks who are dissing this film have even seen it. When the name Keanu Reeves appears on screen, the knees jerk. It happened with the "Matrix," "Feeling Minnesota," "The Devil's Advocate," etc. Yet, all of those films are highly regarded in retrospect. I know nothing about the comic book character, but, for my money, Constantine is a throwback to the films of Jean-Pierre Melville--think "The Samurai"--with Keanu a worthy successor to Alain Delon. Other characters in the film are fun too, and I especially like Tilda Swinton, who thrives on sexually ambiguous roles such as that of the angel Gabriel. Nobody is going to claim that "Constantine" is a masterpiece, but it remains a fine entertainment, with some interesting ideas on the nature of heaven and hell and on the perils of suicide. At forty-one, Keanu doesn't need to prove himself as an actor to anyone. He's been pleasing crowds for two decades now. For those who don't get it, don't despair: the new Vin Diesel flick just opened this weekend. Go forth and multiplex.