Review - Constantine

Interesting though confusing take on the Angels and Demons in this world based on the DC/Vertigo comic Hellblazer . . .

I would be lying if I said that I totally got the whole reason for the existence of Constantine (Keanu Reeves). I suppose he was on this earth to help keep the peace in a way between the angels and the demons who were not supposed to be able to crossover into this world. The whole half breed aspect was intriguing but also lent a bit to my sense of confusion. I mean, they are here (the demons and angels) on this earth interacting with the humans so doesn’t that mean they have crossed over from their perspective realms?

The basic gist of the story was that Constantine was trying to save enough innocent souls to be forgiven for his sin of attempted suicide earlier in his life. He saves souls by performing exorcisms where he traps demons into mirrors or deports them back to hell for breaking the rules of the balance that has been struck in the universe.

He meets up with detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who has recently lost her twin sister Isabel (Rachel Weisz) to an apparent suicide. Knowing her sister, Angela does not believe that she committed this act as it went against the very fiber of her religious beliefs. Turns out that Isabel was a powerful psychic and was being contacted by demons who, with the help of the Arcangel Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) were hell bent on bringing the son of the Devil into this world. They would apparently be able to do this with the sword of destiny which was found early on in the film by what looked like a Mexican homeless person (Jesse Ramirez) scavenging in some sort of desert wasteland.

Angela, with Constantine’s help, reclaims her psychic vision which she has for so many years denied and is promptly sucked away from Constantine and into Arcangel Gabriel’s plan for a dark new world where humans would be forced to be noble and good and do heroic deeds in the name of God. Not everyone is on track with this plan and Constantine and Angela, with a little help from the Devil himself, fight to keep the son of the Devil from entering this world - each having their own reasons for doing this of course.

I have to mention a few interesting characters in this film who really added something to it. Without them, I don’t think it would have even been half as enjoyable. Father Hennessy (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who was an alcoholic priest that heard voices all of the time and acted as lookout for Constantine; Beeman (Max Baker) who was an eccentric expert of sorts and collector of all things not of this world; Midnight (Djimon Hounsou) who was a keeper of the peace and provided a play place for the angels and demons of this world - in the end he was the last playing by the rules; Balthazar (Gavin Rossdale) who was a convincing bad guy demon proving though, that we all get our just desserts in the end; Satan (Peter Stormare) who was well Satan - and a pretty scary and convincing version at that.

All in all an okay film. I wouldn’t run out and rent, buy or go see Constantine with any sense of urgency. If you happen to see it, okay; if not, you are not missing much. I have a sneaking suspicion that the DC/Vertigo comic was much, much, much better.

Directed by
Francis Lawrence

Writing credits (WGA)
Jamie Delano (comic book Hellblazer) &
Garth Ennis (comic book Hellblazer)

Kevin Brodbin (story)

Kevin Brodbin (screenplay) and
Frank A. Cappello (screenplay) (as Frank Cappello)

Cast (in credits order)complete, awaiting verification
Keanu Reeves .... John Constantine
Rachel Weisz .... Angela Dodson/Isabel Dodson
Shia LaBeouf .... Chas Kramer
Djimon Hounsou .... Midnite
Max Baker .... Beeman
Pruitt Taylor Vince .... Father Hennessy
Gavin Rossdale .... Balthazar
Tilda Swinton .... Gabriel
Peter Stormare .... Satan
Jesse Ramirez .... Scavenger
José Zúñiga .... Detective Weiss (as Jose Zuniga)
Francis Guinan .... Father Garret
Larry Cedar .... Vermin Man
April Grace .... Dr. Leslie Archer
Suzanne Whang .... Mother
Johanna Trias .... Possessed Girl (as Jhoanna Trias)
Alice Lo .... Old Woman
Nicholas Downs .... Church Attendant
Tanoai Reed .... Midnite Bouncer
Quinn Buniel .... 10 Year-Old Constantine
Ann Ryerson .... Old Woman on Bus
Stephanie Fabian .... Molly's Server
Connor Dylan Wryn .... Teenage Constantine
Laz Alonso .... Morgue Security Guard
Jeremy Ray Valdez .... Liquor Store Clerk Nico
Jose Molina .... Scavenger #2
Barbara Pilavin .... Old Woman on Bus - Demon
C.W. Pyun .... Korean man
Sharon Omi .... Female Tenant
Edward J. Rosen .... Liquor Store Clerk
John Gipson .... Smoking Man
Roberto Kawata .... Police Officer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kevin Alejandro .... Border Partrol
Wesley John .... Male Tenant
Michelle Monaghan .... Ellie (scenes deleted)
Abe Pagtama .... Tenant
Valerie Azlynn .... Angel (uncredited)
Eileen Dietz .... Zombie (uncredited)
Bryan Holly .... Coroner (uncredited)
Gus Lynch .... LAPD Detective (uncredited)
Matthew McGrory .... Demon (uncredited)
Billy Million .... Bar Boy (uncredited)
Martin Pierron .... Club Dancer (uncredited)
R.A. Rondell .... Man in Jeep (uncredited)
Erik Rusnak .... Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Robbin Ryan .... Angel (uncredited)
Mahryah Shain .... Hospital Worker (uncredited)
Chad Stahelski .... Demon in Hospital (uncredited)