Quindecim

Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Constantine may not win any awards, but it´s a visually pleasing, entertaining romp for a non-Matrix Keanu Reeves.

There is another world that lies just beyond our perception. Most people are content to go about their lives; they don't care about the truth. They are content to go about their lives completely oblivious to the implications of greater forces manipulating their very existence. Do you think you are ready for the truth? Take the white pill or the black pill to decide which path you will take. Are you ready to enter the Helltrix, err, I mean Constantine.

Constantine stars Keanu Reeves in another role which doesn't branch off very far from his career defining role in "The Matrix." Ted is once again cast as the savior of mankind. Only this time Reeves is battling demons from hell instead of the evil agents and machines from "The Matrix." Constantine is based on Hellblazer, a comic book series published by DC's more adult oriented branch, Vertigo comics.

Reeves plays John Constantine, a man who was born with a unique ability to see the real forms of the half-breed angels and demons that walk among us trying to claim souls for their respective faction. This ability was originally a curse as it drove him insane and pushed him to commit suicide. He went to hell briefly and came back vowing never to return. Yes, I don't quite understand why he was allowed to come back either, but then again the film's plot is filled with all kinds of flimsy narrative loopholes.

Well anyway, now Constantine is a hard living chain smoking supernatural detective deporting evil demons back to hell in hopes that he can buy his way into heaven.

The film has a strong sense of style and visual flair, but unfortunately it's weak and confusing narrative really drags it down. Constantine meets up with a policewoman (played by Rachel Weisez) who wants him to investigate her twin sister's suicide.

At the beginning of the movie, a Mexican man picks up and becomes possessed by the spear of destiny (the spear that supposedly killed Christ) and crosses the border into L.A. for some far eviler purpose then simply taking away American jobs at Walmart. These two parallel plot lines don't have anything to do with each other until the very end when they clumsily combine together for the films climax.

Despite some clumsy story telling, Constantine has a great sense of style that pulls everything together quite nicely. The visual effects are well done (especially the brief glimpses of hell) and the creature designs are inventive and creative. The action sequences are entertaining and John Constantine himself is a likeable anti-hero.

The world of Constantine is rich and interesting and hopefully the inevitable sequels will further expand upon the unique universe that has been established.

Constantine may be flawed, but it's still very fun, much better then the usual crap that's released in the winter season.

It's the perfect treat for any movie fan who's looking for something to kill time until the blitzkrieg of summer blockbusters begins in early May.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools