Customer Reviews

Constantine (2-Disc Deluxe Widescreen Edition with Comic Book)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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. Believe it or not Keanu Reeves is perfect for the role and surprises as a burnt-out demon hunter who is trying to get to heaven by exorcising demons. The film does pose some interesting questions about heaven and hell but mostly it's a film to spend a couple of enjoyable hours with some very different characters and some good plot twists. The Blu-ray video transfer is almost pristine and the sound is great. The bonus features are good but you really have to like this film to actually dig deep into them, I do and I did.

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.
The story involves one John Constantine(Keanu Reeves)who has always had the ability to see things people weren't "meant to see".He has done alot of bad things in his life and he has tried to atone for them by working against evil so when he goes his path will lead up and not down.One day he is approached by a police woman named Angela Dodson(Rachel Weisz)to help her regarding her twin sister's untimely death;a plunge off of a roof.At first John balks but relents,soon realizing there is more to the death than meets the eye.John journeys to the other side and back and even assists Angela in doing the same,but they realize too late that her sisters death was basically a ruse to get at Angela.
John learns that the archangel Gabriel is actually working with the son of the devil to unleash his progeny onto the world.In order to do this Angela becomes the host for the child and the angel will use the "spear of destiny"(the actual tip of the lance that was used to kill Jesus on the cross)to open her womb and release evil to rule man.Gabriel reckons that only those that survive the time to come will be worthy of God's real salvation.In the meantime John has summoned the Devil himself in a last ditch attempt to foil the Devil's son and the archangel's plans.The Devil indeed stops the birth and renders the angel wingless and earth bound.He returns to John who asks that Angela's sister be let free from Hell in his stead.This is a sacrifice and the Devil has been tricked but in one last effort to keep John from going heavenward,he removes the lung cancer that is killing him and keeps him earth bound to live out his life;hoping one day he will slip up and be his forever.
The movie has ALOT of promise throughout with an interesting plot of good versus evil playing out between a man desperate to be redeemed and the evil that would take over the world.The special effects are well done especially in the fight scenes and those involving the glimpses of Hell.However the side plots of Angela and her sister,his side kick Chas Kramer(Shia LaBeouf),his priest friend Father Hennessy(Pruitt Vince)and other characters are just dealt with so heavy handedly,that the plot's narrative flow suffers considerably everytime we go from the action scenes and back to the plot/character advancement.It's a stop/start of a roller coaster ride that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the film.The only three characters I found engaging at all and enhanced the film to any degree,besides Reeve's Constantine,were John's friend Scavenger(Jesse Ramirez),Gabriel(Tilda Swinton) and a beautifully played evil Satan by Peter Stormare.The others were just nondescript window dressing.
Technically this film has been transferred well and is presented in its wide screen format.Extras include 18 minutes of so called "additional scenes" which are nothing other than expanded or alternate scenes;with or without commentary.There is also the theatrical trailer.This DVD is actually Disc One of the original two disc release version,just so you know.
In conclusion I found Constantine one with a unique and different take on the whole Angels versus Demons,good versus evil chestnut,but overall the plot is a roller coaster of stops and starts which detract from its flow and overall enjoyment;despite the good S/FX.It could/should have been better.I recommend it as a little above average.

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 Vertigo Comics' crass character John Constantine's big-screen debut. Containing the original widescreen presentation of the film, the disc comes with a stunning 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer along with Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in both English and French. The picture quality is befitting to the unique look of the picture, which only looks better and better as time goes on. The disc not only shines with its fine presentation, but with the surprisingly well-produced bonus features that track the film from its comic roots and throughout the production. While many studios are only too happy to dish out prepackaged PR junk for their supplemental material, Warner Bros. deserves an ovation for delivering a mass of quality featurettes that present a fine look at a film that had its fair share of stumbling blocks. First up is director Francis Lawrence's thoughts on directing his big-screen debut, featuring candid tales of uncertainty and lessons that were learned throughout the production -- a rare thing to see on DVDs these days. The disc continues with featurettes that dive straight into the inspired design, look, and memorable sequences that make up the film, with interviews from various visual effects wizards to stunt coordinators that consistently assure safety on the set. Also included is a chat with author Phil Cousineau, who takes a cosmic look at the journey of the film's hero through the teachings of Joseph Campbell and other literary figures through the years. If that wasn't enough, there are 18 minutes of deleted scenes, which include an alternate ending and a cut storyline featuring Constantine and Michelle Monaghan as a demon seductress, as well as a previsualition featurette, all of which feature optional director's commentary. Lawrence was also recorded a feature-length commentary along with producer Akiva Goldsman and screenwriters Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, which gives the viewer even more insight into the filmmaking process of this adaptation. Add in a Perfect Circle music video and both the teaser and theatrical trailer, plus a mini-comic containing a few choice Hellblazer stories, and you have a commendable release that delivers on every level. Moviemaking is an art that is far too often overshadowed by its star-powered candy coating, so it's refreshing to see a release that's not made up of at least four discs embrace the craft in such a fine way, making this two-disc release a must-have for movie lovers and fans of the film. Constantine is also available in single-disc full-screen and widescreen versions.

Features

* Commentary by director Francis Lawrence, producer Akiva Goldsman, and screenwriters Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello

* A Perfect Circle "Passive" music video

* Theatrical trailers

* 18 minutes of deleted scenes, including an alternate ending

* "Conjuring Constantine"

* "The Production From Hell" documentary gallery: "Director's Confessional," "Collision With Evil," "Holy Relics"

* "Imagining the Underworld" documentary gallery: "Hellscape," "Visualizing Vermin," "Warrior Wings," "Unholy Abduction," "Constantine Cosmology"

* "Foresight: The Power of Previsualization"

* Exclusive DVD-ROM content (PC only)

* Exclusive collectible Hellblazer comic featuring a reprint of Issue #41 Dangerous Habits and a Hellblazer short story

This is one of the best SFX movies ever made. Trust me, this is a sci-fi thriller beyond imagination! The monsters are great, the acting is great, and it is a bit scary at parts. BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is amazing!!!

i loved this film.
keanu is a natural actor, charismatic/screen presence.
the story itself is a great comic book fantasy.
the effects are ....... effective!
for entertainment value/adventure, & breathtaking roller-coaster-ride type imagery, brilliant!

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 to be short lived due to a smoking habit.

Mean time he, due to his accident he has the ability to see angles and demons. Even though he is conceited and knows where he will be going he still finds time to do some good for mankind and in the process send a few demons back where they came from.

Something has gone horribly wrong with the balance. And with the aid of his young sidekick and a medium that is well done by (Rachel Weisz) he intends to get to the nature of the problem.

The character of Constantine comes from the DC comic world and has been modified a tad to fit a movie with a beginning middle and end.

I could not help but notice Tilda Swinton who played Gabriel. She made you feel that you were watching a first class movie.

The only redeeming feature of value of the movie is not the movie its self but the audio track that explains wheat they are trying to do in the making of the movie. In fact you could just bypass the movie and listen to the voice over audio instead and save yourself two hours.

I think I should have watched the two disk version as even with the audio track they refer to many things that are not in the movie.

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...