Today’s quick review: Constantine. When the Spear of Destiny resurfaces, John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a chain-smoking exorcist with a gruff personality, notices a spike in demonic activity. His investigation leads him to Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), a cop whose sister committed suicide under suspicious circumstances. With limited time and the forces of Hell on his trail, John must figure out what is going on and put a stop to it before it is too late.
Constantine is an action horror movie based on the DC Comics character. Keanu Reeves stars as John Constantine, a reluctant servant of God whose past sins and selfish deeds have barred him from Heaven. With his network of allies and informants, he works to banish demons from Earth and buy his salvation. But his latest exorcism points to something larger, a threat to the Earth itself.
Constantine begins with a loose take on the Christian mythos, works it into a decent plot with tight progression, sprinkles in a pinch of noir, and tops it all off with CGI action that stands the test of time. None of its elements are all that oustanding, but they add up to a tidy package that contains a few treats for those who look for them, such as the bits of personality and history that make Constantine more than just a typical anithero.
Watch Constantine when you are in the mood for a horror-tinged action adventure with a few clever ideas. Though certainly not alone in its genre, Constantine’s creativity and solid execution make it a very worthwhile watch for the curious. Check out Hellboy for a lighter take on the same genre, Ghost Rider for a superhero variant, or any number of other action horror movies or TV shows according to your taste.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid plot, character, and action.