Constantine Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)March 16th, 2005
"Constantine" – In a Constant Lull
by Homer Yen
(c) 2005
I believe that Keanu Reeves may start to suffer from what I call the Mark Hamill syndrome. One film may define your career. And for Reeves, that may be "The Matrix." Of course, banking tens-of-millions for one project is an actor's dream. But it's time to change tactics and to diversify. Yet, I suppose that there are diehard Reeves fans that just can't get enough of the glum-sounding-hero-in-a-world-of-shifting-realties. Therefore, you may catch another glimpse of Reeves in "Constantine," which coincidentally is a film about a
glum-sounding-hero-in-a-world-of-shifting-realties.
However, it is a murkily developed project that requires, I think, a working knowledge of Catholicism, exorcism, and time in a confession booth to puzzle out some of the pieces. On the one hand, the movie alludes to a sacred artifact called the Spear of Destiny, which is what caused Jesus's death. Apparently, it is a weapon of holy importance that has been missing since WWII. In this film, it is discovered and it imbues the wielder with inordinate power. But how the spear winds its way to its destination (somewhat like how Frodo is compelled to bring the One Ring to Mt. Doom) is hardly explained and it just sort of happens.
Another component revolves around John Constantine (Reeves). You may have seen the film's trailers. Heaven doesn't want him. He tried unsuccessfully committing suicide some time ago, and that act has barred him from entering the Pearly Gates. Hell wants him. He possesses a unique power that allows him to see demons that have entered the human world. As he wishes to go to heaven some day, he spends his time as a kind of bounty hunter to send them back to the Abyss. Earth needs him. That's because there is an ongoing war between God and Satin. Although there is no direct contact between these two beings, half-angels and the damned are waging battles behind the scenes unbeknownst to the average human. It's a lonely job, but somebody has to do it.
Constantine has some unique skills, which lends itself to some crafty special effects. He can cure a possessed girl by trapping the demon within inside a giant mirror. And on occasion, he can travel to Hell when he has to. It looks like a swirling maelstrom of ash and soot. No doubt, the allergy levels are pretty significant in a place like Hell.
He befriends Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), who is a detective investigating the death of her twin sister. While police believe that it was suicide, Angela believes that she was somehow influenced by darker forces. So, off they go to uncover the truth.
It isn't until the final 20 minutes that all of these components that were introduced but never followed though start to come together. The Spear of Destiny finally reveals its purpose. The hidden importance of Angela if finally known. And we can see how Constantine may finally be able to receive the salvation that he hopes for. In the end, it takes too much time for the film to ramp up. The acting lacks the energy to keep us engaged up until that point. The reality of "Constantine" is that it is a dreary action film with a story that seems like a hard-sell.
Grade: C
S: 0 out of 3
L: 2 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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