Some Kind Of Monster
CONSTANTINE (**)
by Shawn Snead / March 6th, 2005
Demons, exorcisms, spears of destiny, computer generated car crashes, and Keanu Reeves. And, that's only in the first five minutes.
Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer, Constantine tells the story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), who has literally been to hell and back. When Constantine teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister (also played by Weisz), their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldy events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost. Or, something like that.
Which is pretty much how I felt when I left the film. In a first quarter (of 2005) without any Passions, there's not a whole lot around. This film won't be remembered as an action, or a superhero titan like Keanu's The Matrix. While it's not as good as another recent supernatural thriller, the underrated Bless The Child, it's not as bad as the atrocity that was Daredevil, Constantine holds it's own as a decent, mildly disappointing supernatural thriller. My expectations were a bit higher.
The biggest flaw of the film, undoubtedly, is the poor writing. Kevin Brodbin, whose resume only consists of a '96 Seagal flick (The Glimmer Man) and the not-so eagerly awaited Mindhunters adapts the film along with Frank Cappello, writer of... well, nothing really. It shows. The dialouge drags (see: cringe-inducing), the story is choppy, and there is so much buildup, you're tired by the time the film comes to it's anti-climatic ending.
Francis Lawrence makes his feature film directional debut, and is ok with it. Maybe he can learn from this, and maybe next time he can get a better script. The film is unbalanced, has some rough edges, and the pacing is off. Rookie mistakes from a guy who has been directing music videos for most of his career. He shows promise in the bigs.
The cast makes the best of it, I guess. Keanu is... well, Keanu. Rachel Weisz and Tilda Swinton are very talented actresses, and excel in anything they are in. They are bright spots in the film. Tilda plays Gabriel, you know, the angel. Gavin Rossdale (yes, THAT Gavin Rossdale) plays demon Balthazar poorly (note to Gavin: stick to music), and Peter Stormore plays Satan like a drunk mobster. Djimon Hounsou is good in his small, one-dimensional role of Papa Midnite, a former witch doctor who owns a nightclub full of half-demons, half-rabbits, or whatever. There is a scene that is very Blade-like when Constantine walks into the club, it's dark and gothic, your MTV metal on in the background, and a whole bunch of people (or half-people?) with colorful eyes swapping spit, and doing whatever clubbing demons do.
Shia LaBeouf is impressive as Constantine's sidekick Chas. Pretty much the same character LaBeouf played in I, Robot. He provides some welcomed comic relief in the film, and he has a bright future in the business.
Demons, angels, demon angels, angel demons, exorcisms, spears of destiny, computer generated car crashes, computer generated deaths, computer generated rebirths, computer generated parallel universes, and spiritual planes. Hey, it's February.
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Warner Bros. Pictures
Running Time: 2 Hours, 1 Minute
MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence and demonic images.
Release Date: Friday, February 18th, 2005
Viewed: Friday, February 25th, 2005
Starring Keanu Reeves (John Constantine), Rachel Weisz (Angela Dodson/Isabel Dodson), Shia LaBeouf (Chas), Djimon Hounsou (Papa Midnite), Max Baker (Beeman), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Father Hennessy), Gavin Rossdale (Balthazar), Tilda Swinton (Gabriel), Peter Stormare (Satan)
Produced By Gilbert Adler, Michael Aguilar, Akiva Goldsman
Written By Kevin Brodbin & Frank A. Cappello (Based on the DC/Vertigo comic Hellblazer)
Directed By Francis Lawrence
posted by Shawn Snead @ 3/06/2005 11:35:00 PM
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