Constantine [HD DVD]

 

 

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I have no familiarity whatsoever with the graphic novel upon which this film is based, so I can only address the film in and of itself. And I must say that I rather enjoyed it for the most part. Anything with angels and demons always interests me, and this film put a quirky spin on the agents of God and Lucifer. Since John Constantine seems to be a pretty tight-lipped fellow who doesn't reveal much of himself to anyone, Keanu Reeves seems like a pretty good pick to play the part - there's not too much acting required for this one.

So what's this all about? Well, John Constantine has this gift (or curse) to see and interact with creatures from both heaven and hell; he's already been to hell and back once - literally - and therein lies his biggest problem. Since he did commit suicide, he's not eligible for a ticket to heaven later on - and this second life he was given is hurtling toward an impending end thanks to all those cigarettes he's chain-smoked for years. He's content to go his own moping way, dealing with particularly difficult exorcisms when called upon and generally just bemoaning his awful fate. Then a female cop (Rachel Weisz) shows up asking for his help; her sister supposedly committed suicide, but she doesn't believe it. Both Rachel and her sister were pretty special, for they could also see the things Constantine sees (although it takes some rather intense training for Constantine to reawaken those abilities in his new, temporary partner). It soon seems obvious that something big is going down. More and more demons are trying to cross into our world, violating a big treaty between God and Lucifer (who would have thought that demons couldn't be trusted?), and that just doesn't bode well for anybody. Before you know it, special effects are coming at you left and right, and the birth of the Antichrist is almost at hand.

Now, you're probably thinking that old Mr. Pitchfork himself is behind the whole Antichrist thing - but that ain't necessarily so. The movie manages to throw in a couple of small surprises toward the end (although it certainly breaks no new ground in showing Lucifer as a really stupid being). I really hated the characterization of the angel Gabriel, though. First off, I just don't see Gabriel as a woman, but more importantly, this Gabriel comes across as a far from superior being. This isn't the first time we've seen a Gabriel who hated and conspired against humans (out of jealousy), but Constantine's Gabriel is a far cry from a similar archangel in, for example, The Prophecy.

The plot of this movie isn't all that bad, but it could have been told much more effectively. If you're not into this kind of weird subject matter, you may look upon the story as little more than an excuse to throw some impressive special effects together. I'm giving Constantine a somewhat tentative four stars, but I'm sure there are a good many people who won't enjoy the film very much at all.

This is one of the best SFX movies of all time and it has a great story. Some say that this film has no story, but you have to realize it is about a man fighting to get into Heaven by helping stop Mammon, who is the son of the devil, cross over onto our world.

From the very beggining to the end, this thriller is a roller coaster of fighting, jokes, and tons of fun! Constantine is without a doubt the best movie of 2005, and may even rank in one of the best films of all time.

As far as the DVD goes:
SOUND: 10/10
FILM QUALITY: 9.5/10
SUBTITLES: 7/10
MAIN MENU: 8/10
SCENE SELECTION: 7/10
LANGUAGE & AUDIO MENU: 8/10
SPECIAL FEATURES MENU: 8.5/10

SPECIAL FEATURES PRESENTATION: 8/10
LANGUAGE & AUDIO: 6.5/10

This movie is all-in-all an amazing, great, terrific, fantastic, sensational, spectacular, and, uh... amazing! ***** Five well earned stars!

Great movie, awesome effects, great exorcisms, awesome demon ass kickin. The story is great and ironic, and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time, and true thrill ride threw the underdark. Watch this one now!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Constantine
This movie is not for everyone and is in my "guilty pleasure" category. You must suspend all thoughts of reality and go along with the premise to really enjoy it. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Lethlitwin

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars-More promise than results!
The Feb/2005 released movie Constantine,based on the Hellblazer comic series,comes to DVD in a widescreen edition that is interesting in its premise but falters in its' delivery... Read more

Published 21 months ago by Robert Badgley

5.0 out of 5 stars DVD review from ALLMOVIE.
THIS IS FRENCH EDITION, has english and french audio.

Warner Brothers Home Entertainment hits it out of the DVD ballpark with this fabulous 2-Disc Deluxe Edition of... Read more

Published on Mar 22 2007 by B. Wicks

3.0 out of 5 stars A long anti-smoking commercial
The story is simple; self-centered John Constantine: Hellblazer (Keanu Reeves) did a "no no" in his youth ensuring him a place in the underworld and to compound the problem he is... Read more

Published on July 16 2006 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars a roller-coaster ride through the underworld......
i loved this film.
keanu is a natural actor, charismatic/screen presence.
the story itself is a great comic book fantasy.
the effects are ....... Read more

Published on Dec 2 2005

2.0 out of 5 stars boring, boring, and well, boring...
Keanu Reeaves is boring in this supernatural detective mystery. Good sfx and rachel weisz is always easy to look at but there is no plot worth mentioning...

Published on Aug 5 2005 by ironwolfe

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the best SFX movies ever made. Trust me, this is a sci-fi thriller beyond imagination! Read more

Published on Aug 3 2005 by RICK

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