Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book "Hellblazer", the title of this film was changed to denote the principal character, John Constantine. Keanu Reeves makes for an effective protagonist, though it might have made more sense to keep his nationality a Brit as in the original stories. I read the series for a bit back in the day, and a number of the basics the screenwriters got right, like Constantine's chain smoking and a reference to ghosts of those he killed following him around. In this picture, Constantine is apparently going to do the job Papa Midnite (Djimon Hounsou) is supposed to do, that is, keep the balance between heaven and hell that exists just behind our own world. I thought it kind of curious that he would use an old electric chair from Sing-Sing to transport himself to hell to learn of Isabel Dodson's (Rachel Weisz) demise. Learning that she really did commit suicide comes as discomforting news to her twin sister Angela (Weisz in a dual role), who insists on helping Constantine in his war against a demonic takeover of the Earth. Excellent special effects and a creative script combine to underpin a dark and dystopian view of the battle between good and evil, as the Angel Gabriel, remarkably portrayed by Tilda Swinton, switches sides to team up with the son of Satan (Peter Stormare) in a futile cause. Though Constantine himself is unsuccessful in his desire to leave this mortal coil, being recalled, so to speak, by Satan for ultimately doing a good deed. Shia LaBeouf appears as Constantine's chauffeur, eager to join his crusade against the demonic forces at play in the world, and puts in an impressive effort if Papa Midnite is any judge. But it's no comfort for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Review of Constantine
