Talk about "Constantine" here:
Review by: Breanne Derby
Plot Summary
The film begins with John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), our main character, performing an exorcism on a little girl.
Constantine is an exorcist, deeply rooted in the occult, possessing intuitive powers, and having the ability to see angels and demons disguised as humans. His job is to "deport" demons who have violated something called "the balance," a wager made between God and the Devil to see who would come out on top with no physical influence on the people. A problem arises when Constantine sees more and more powerful demons appearing on earth. By the order of "the balance" they are not supposed to be there. It is up to Constantine to figure out what's going on and stop it before it's too late.
Review
This film has a whole lot of violence in it and that's why it received the R rating. This is an action film and many of the scenes involve violence as a means of removing the demons from this planet.
The special effects in this film are definitely the star of the show. With all the demons and angels and in-betweens, they had to be excellent. They were frequent but not to the point where it was ridiculous. They really made this film what it was, and without them it wouldn't have been nearly so successful. Keanu Reeves really spent the entire film being sullen (like every other film he's ever been in) and though he was the title character, he was cold and unfeeling.
Rachel Weisz played Constantine's opposite, and the leading lady. She was a compassionate police-officer and a devout Catholic, and was having trouble coping with the suicide of her twin sister. Unlike Constantine, she had a personality. It was much easier to identify with and like Weisz's character, Angela Dodson, than it was to like Constantine. She played her part well, and was very believable in her acting.
Shia LaBeouf's character, Chas Kramer, was used for a bit of comic relief. He was the very typical sidekick (which makes sense since this film is a recreation of the comic Hellblazer). For reasons unknown Chas disappeared for most of the middle of the film, and that was a bit strange to me. He was in the beginning and the end, but in the middle he vanished with no explanation.
I can see how devout Christians might have some problems with this film. There is crass language sprinkled thoughout, and the whole concept of the wager between God and the Devil might be hard for some to swallow. It was said by Shia LaBeouf, who played Constantine's apprentice, "I think that if someone walks in with a serious mindset, it could permanently affect them." This film isn't meant to be philosophical, and it's not trying to convert people. It's just an action film about fighting demons.
One part of the film I was definitely satisfied with was the additional scene after the credits were over. If you're seeing the film, be sure not to miss it. This scene, though brief, helped to sum up the pieces of things I'd felt were missing at the end of the film. I hadn't known about it at first, and upon discovering its existence, I went back and watched it. I had been slightly dissatisfied with the ending of the film before I saw the additional scene, but afterward I enjoyed it much more. The scene after the credits is definitely one that I'm glad didn't get left on the cutting-room floor.
Conclusion
This film takes a lot of willingness to believe in what's going on to enjoy it. If you begin watching it with a negative and skeptical additude, you will finish the film feeling quite dissatisfied. However, if you begin the film well aware of the fact that its not necessarily realistic, and are open to accepting the world that the film sets before you, you will probably have a good time and enjoy the action and plot being unwound.
As far as the plot goes, it wasn't exceptionally thick, and it wasn't exceptionally intricate, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed this film and would probably watch it again. All in all, it wasn't a bad film, I wasn't offended, and I wasn't bored. Though there were little things that weren't quite up to par, there were also things that exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed this film, it gets three stars.
