|
Constantine | 
 enlarge | Director: Francis Lawrence
Actors: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia Labeouf, Djimon Hounsou, Max Baker
Studio: Warner Bros.
Category: Movie
Buy New: $2.99
Rating:  633 reviews
Sales Rank: 2866
Genre: Action - Crime
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 121 Minutes
ASIN: B001EBWITA
Theatrical Release Date: February 18, 2005
Release Date: October 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Synopsis:
Based on the ground-breaking DC/Vertigo comic book "Hellblazer," Keanu Reeves ("A Scanner Darkly," the "Matrix" trilogy) plays John Constantine, a modern-day mystic on a personal quest to send demons hiding on Earth back to Hell. When he crosses paths with a police detective whose twin sister has died in an apparent suicide, they uncover a plot that threatens to unleash Hell on Earth. Spectacular special effects bring to life the secret world of angels and demons that exists just below the surface of modern-day Los Angeles. Also starring Academy Award-nominee and Golden Globe-winner Rachel Weisz ("The Fountain," "The Constant Gardener"), Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee Djimon Hounsou ("Blood Diamond," "In America"), and Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton ("Michael Clayton," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"). |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Not as bad as people make it out to be. May 29, 2005
Ash Williams (edina mn usa)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I don't see how people can be so hard on this, sure Keanu isnt an amazing actor, but I think he actually did pretty well. I think this is better than most other comic book movies [spiderman 1 & 2, league of extraordinary gentleman, Hellboy, Hulk, etc.] Sure its not as devoted to being like the comics as Sin City[which is frame for frame straight out of the comic] but I think it's better that way. Don't get me wrong, Hellblazer was a great comic, but I think the darker version of John Constantine is more entertaining. I geuss I only have two problems with this:
1. although this is a good adaptation, I wish they had kept more of the political and religous satire that made the comics so great.
2. They never really explained what that guy in Mexico was doing when he found the spear of destiny, that really bugged me.
other than that I really enjoyed this, and I think as long as you go in without expecting every line to pulled from one of the comics, you'll probably like it too.
DIRTY HARRY OF THE SPIRIT WORLD February 19, 2005
Jeff Howard (South Dakota)
24 out of 29 found this review helpful
Having never read the HELLBLAZER comic book I can't say whether the film is true to the source material on or not. But as a stand alone action/horror film, I highly recommend this movie to fans of both genres. Highly imaginative with spectacular visuals and an actual plot I can't understand anyone that trashes it. So what if Keaunu doesn't have blond hair in the film? He comes off like a Dirty Harry of the spirit world.
Religious themes abound and I could actually see religious people getting into this film. Though Constantine comes off as morally ambivalent he does care that he cannot get into Heaven and is deathly afraid of eternal damnation in Hell. I was so happy to see there was absolutely no sex-ploitation or potty humor.
In the final showdown between Lucifer and Constantine I was thoroughly amused by the character of Lucifer. There was a great use of humor and sarcasm throughout. In spite of what some critics say, I thought the plot was easy to follow and the visual effects were stunning. Keanu's performance has been described as "wooden" and "cardboard" but I thought he was dead on for this role, and I don't consider myself a big fan of his work.
The film's comic book origins were easy spot and used magnificently. Give this one a shot. It's a winner.
Very Good film, excellect for a Keanu movie September 3, 2005
Movie Freak (NYC)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This movie is original, entertaining, funny, well directed and acted. The action sequences are excellent, the comedy is sly and witty, the characters are memorable, the story is well crafted, usually movies that don't stay completly true to the original material aren't that good, this movie is the complete opposite. 5 stars, hopefully the sequel won't dissappoint
Wonderfully strange or strangely wonderful? August 29, 2005
Igor Zinov'ev (Moscow, Russian Federation)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
It gets harder and harder to find movies of this magnitude in the heap of modern movie reels. Honestly, folks, each time I go to see a new movie that promises me a totally new experience, I tremble all over because I'm really afraid to be disappointed.
But my fears this time were in vain. The first minutes of the movie made me believe that this time I'm up for a great experience! And not a single frame of the film made me change my mind even for a second.
Some say that this actual idea that all the world is at a war has been already used. So what? The potential of this kind of plots, just like the luck of the Irish, will never run out! And when you see the way the movie is done, you are sure destined to compare every other similar movie to this one!
Everything in this feature is almost flawless. Every aspect from casting and costume design to special effects is done with such confident skill that you find yourself literally dissolving in the movie's atmosphere. It's just so believable it's nearly impossible, if you know what I mean.
Furthermore, I guess, the real success of the movie is that if you don't know it's based on a comic series, you'll have absolutely no idea that it's so. This work takes the story on an entirely new level, where even those who have never seen a comic book can appreciate the really fine idea brought to us by the really talented crew.
Awesome Adventure March 17, 2005
Santeria (Tallahassee)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
SINGLE DISC DVD:(19 july 2005) The Film is awesome.Sound is great, and the film is a superb watch. Extras are at a minimum on the single disc version. I plan to get the double disc version ASAP. But being able to watch again the superb sequences in this horror film is great. Some people define horror as "Slash/gore/hack" etc, but a series of great supernatural elements are worked out in this film. The layers in the film are manifold, and they repay additional watching.
I still find the book that came out to be the best explanation of the background in the film.
The criticism of the film as a "Bad Adaptation" of the comic is just silly ... this is a film, the comic is the comic.
The characters are defined very well. Both "John" and the detective are world weary characters who are trying to resolve issues in their lives.
The best element on the supernatural side is the detail... its damn near perfect. Hopefully the two disc version will have some extra cool stuff as well.
*************************************
I have been waiting for this film ever since I saw the first trailers in 2004. And I was definitely NOT disappointed.
It is an absolutely great rollercoaster ride, and all the edgy bits just flow together superbly, and Keanu proves once again he can deliver the goods.
The film works brilliantly script wise, and brings in many supernatural ideas, that are articulated well thanks to great FX. Rachel Weisz is definitely a great choice for the role she fulfills.
As a literally World weary specialist in the occult, Keanu takes us through a journey to hell and back.
For myself, I found this film to be more visceral than cerebral, in a very positive way. If you really need some explanation of what has happened, I can highly recommend the book tie-in, but read AFTER you see the movie. You will not be disappointed.
|
|
|
| |
