Its okay but nothing special (Constantine (DVD))

Member Name: blazeybug

Product:	Constantine (DVD)
Date:	30/06/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps you interested

Disadvantages: Far fetched, no depth to the characters

Ok I have never read the comics, so cannot tell you how true to the comic the movie is (according the other reviews though - not true at all lol).

In a world where Demons and Angels exist, there is John Constantine, a guy who once committed suicide, yep the mortal sin, as he could see these demons and wanted a way out. He died and went to Hell but was revived.

Knowing exactly where he is going for his sin, John tries to 'buy' his way into Heaven and back into God's good books by sending demons back down to Hell.

He is running out of time though as he actually is dying of lung cancer.

Enter Angela, who's identical twin has just committed suicide. She seeks out John to help her as she feels there is something more to her Sister's death.

As in all my film reviews... I am not one to spoil a plot so will leave it there.

I am not particularly a fan of Keanu Reeves, who plays John Constantine. I find him passionless and he just doesn't seem to have more than 3 facial expressions. I think that is quite good for this role though as John comes across as a man who is without passion and who has lost his enjoyment for life as he knows he is off to Hell.

Rachel Weisz, who plays Angela Dodson/Isabel Dodson, in my opinion is a fantastic actress but did not really come across well this in film. She is great at delivering humour (The Mummy for example.....I, am a Librarian!) but there is no real humour in this movie and she seems quite wooden.

But that being said I don't think the script was particularly powerful.

I did enjoy the film because I am quite into the whole heaven/hell/supernatural type films but when I think of it, it doesn't make me instantly think "wow what great acting". The acting is average.

The plot seems a little far fetched, but when is chatting to the Angel Gabriel ever going to come across as realistic? It has a rushed feel to it, like they tried to cram too much in and too quickly.

I love the fact that Gabriel, who we are all taught to believe is naturally an angel and therefore good, is quite resentful and twisted.

I think my favourite part is when you see Lucifer (yes, thats right, they have the Devil in this movie!). Most associate him with a pitchfork and lots of red and fire.

In the film you do not see him rise from the ground as you would expect but to slowly descend from above donning a white suit. I do like this as it is slightly more true. I mean, in the bible Lucifer was a fallen angel, so why shouldn't he be in white and coming from the sky? Kind of like he is replaying his 'fall'. I couldn't quite understand why he feet were covered in black goo but I found his appearance quite effective.

The graphics are okay but nothing spectacular. I watch the film often as I quite like the plot but would never say it's an "outstanding" piece of cinema.

Summary: Watch it if there is nothing better on.