FanUnity B(uzz)log

Even since I saw the first trailer, I always felt there was something familiar about "Constantine." It had nothing to do with the comic-book; I never read Hellblazer. It had a lot more to do with the style shown in the previews, the flashes of action and cinematography that recalled any number of pictures.

After watching the film, it is easy to see why I had that impression. There are a few elements that immediately recall "The Matrix": The dark lighting and use of color-tinted camera lenses, the cityscapes, Keanu Reeves running around in a business suit, the use of nightclubs as a secret hideout for the otherworldy. Rachel Weisz as Keanu's leading lady is also something we have seen before, in "Chain Reaction." A hero caught in a battle between heaven and hell, meeting with angels and fighting devils, is something that we saw in "The Prophecy" series. The exorcism scenes remind one of, well, "The Exorcist." The chain-smoking hero, flicking his cigarettes dramatically is a time honored movie cliche, as using the ringing of phones to creepy effect. There's a lot in "Constantine" that feels very, very familiar.

"Constantine" follows John Constantine, an exorcist who commited suicide only to be returned from death with special powers. Constantine's mission is to battle demons loose on Earth and return them to the fires of hell. Due to his status as a suicide-commiter, Constantine is destined for eternal damnation, though he holds out hope that his demon-fighting deeds with win him forgiveness. The God of Constantine's bleak world is apparently an unforgiving one. Despite the hero's deeds, the angel Gabriel tells him, fresh off expelling a demon from a young girl's body, that he is not yet forgiven since all his deeds have been done with the intent to save his own soul. Disgusted, Constantine's path soon crosses with a young lady whose twin sister surprising jumped to her death. The young lady feels that the death had something to do with her psychic powers, and when Constantine looks into it he begins to uncover a major supernatural shitstorm headed his (and our) way.

While "Constantine" has its creepy moments, there isn't anything really special about it the seperates it from other supernatural thrillers. Its execution of the familiar elements described above is not anything remarkable, and the performances in the movie are neither good nor bad. Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz are both interesting enough to hold attention on the film without doing anything that raises it up to being an excellent movie.

If you are a horror fanatic, obsessed with Keanu Reeves or Rachel Weisz or someone who gets their rocks off on Biblically themed thrillers, than "Constantine" should be a good time for you. Short of that it is a pretty mediocre, unoriginal picture that will pass the time but not blow you away.

2/5 Stars.