Kath and I finally got a chance to see “Constantine” yesterday.
Now of course, the moment you move away from Constantine being British, you torpedo any chance of comics fans feeling like a comic book character has just stepped off the page onto the screen (as was the case that first moment when, for instance, you saw Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.) So it’s easy to say, Well, he may be a tortured individual with many of the trappings of John Constantine, but he ain’t Constantine. And that’s a fair enough criticism.
So basically we’re left with the question: Is it a good movie in and of itself? To that I would say definitely yes. The pacing is lethargic at times, but it’s that rare item: A special effects-heavy film that doesn’t make you feel like you’re drowning in special effects (like, say, “Van Helsing.”) This is accomplished through canny now-you-see-it, now you don’t stunts such as Gabriel’s wings being visible long enough to register and then vanishing.
Bits and pieces of various Hellblazer storylines are scattered throughout the story and yet, remarkably, it’s a pretty smooth combination.
Reeves does a good job, I thought, of Constantine’s angst over trying to bargain his way out of a dismal fate he’s brought on himself, and Tilda Swinton practically steals the film out from under him as Gabriel. (“You’re dying young because you’ve smoked thirty cigarettes a day since you were fifteen. And you’re going to hëll because of the life you took. Face it, John…you’re f*cked.”)
Bottom line, “Constantine” portrays an epic battle between heaven and hëll on a remarkably grounded and accessible level.
PAD
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(like, for example, Mark Hamil who never went past Luke, and who’s fan is based solely on the fame of Star Wars – and nothing else.)
Spoken like someone who’s never heard his Joker, as others have pointed out.
Is he likely to get an Oscar nomination any time soon? No — but he’s pretty accomplished, and a truly nice guy.
(Now, if you want “someone whose fame is solely based on [blah] and nothing else”, pity poor old “Mike TeeVee”, who had a booth at San Diego for what, 10+ years based on a single role he played as a child? (Of course, the kids are not the main appeal of that film, Veruca aside.)
TWL
You raised a few good points, Umar, but some others can be explained away.
“1. Constantine commits suicide, goes to hëll, get’s revived and now he’s doomed to go to hëll unless he does something to change it. Well sense the film so heavy with the Catholic stuff, why did he just go confess his sins, be forgiven and all would be well.”
He couldn’t. Gabriel mentioned that being saved required faith, which John didn’t have. He had knowledge, which was not the same thing.
“2. Pure bread demons are no supposed to come to earth. Okay, fine. So how did the get the Half Breeds? And how is it that Half breed get to walk around free?”
Half-breeds aren’t the offspring of demons and humans, they’re humans possessed by demons. Demons are “allowed” to possess humans, apparently.
“And how exactly did the Devil come tot he world to collect Constantine? His very presence should have broken the contract (or what ever) wide open.”
Except he didn’t DO anything. He only came to collect John’s soul, which is entirely within his purview. Doesn’t upset the Balance.
“4. There a bar where demons and angels can come and settle down for a break, a nutral zone – as it were. Okay, nutral from what?”
From guys like John.
SEAN
“Pure bread demons” – cinnamon and Hëll-raisin?
I’ve read HB on and off forever, and would have much preferred an english JC, no question there. However, the big change in the character was the lack of attitude which the DC JC always had and Keanu cannot pull off attitude like that.
Other than that, I thought it was enjoyable but full of room for improvement, particularly the way the supernatural was laid out so explicitely.
S
right… just showing how daft it is to complain about a clearly amazing film.and backin up sean…umar (up there a bit) had 4 points – 4th being the biggest…
aparantly, the fact that isabelle (the sister’s) death was influenced by the demons doesnt mean that she didnt kill herself. the point of the demons being there is so they INFLUENCE humans to do non-catholic things. she was INFLUENCED to do it, but wasnt forced. she physically jumped, so it is suicide.
number3 was that the bar was neutral – imagine being angel/demon – you wanna place you can chill without having all these worries. so where do you go… the BAR!!
number2. full breed demons/angels not allowed on earth AFTER god’s/satan’s pact. so the fullbreeds were there beforehand!
number1. because suicide is the only thing that cannot be forgiven. so hes doomed to go to hëll… get it now
why is everyone being so mean to this film. its like the harry potter/lotr… dont look at it as a book/comic… you can never get that onscreen
look at it as a FILM. and you’ll find its awesome!!
[P]I didn’t see Constantine so I can’t comment; I just hopped on the thread to compliment Mr. David on somehow fitting a “1776” reference onto a post about a comic book movie.[/P]
[P][I] You see they piddle, twiddle and resolve;
Not one dámņ thing do they solve! Piddle, twiddle and resolve; nothing’s ever solved in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy… Philadelphia! [/P][/I]
[P]Now if only Mr. David could find someway to relate the “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” of triangle trade to the contrasting personalities of the three Robins, we’d all be happy.[/P]