John Constantine considers this hypocritical bullshit. He�s not the touchy-feely kind of hero: he�s the other kind. Bitter and angry, Constantine exorcises any demon who crosses the line separating �whispers in ears� to �taking a direct hand.� See, Constantine knows for a fact that there is a hell for damned souls, he�s been there. He also knows when he dies, hell is where he�s going. (He broke the rules when he was a kid, and heaven is no longer an option for him.) He does God�s work everyday, and the lack of holy credit and appreciation is the source of his bitterness. He cannot buy his way back into heaven with his acts; they aren�t performed for the greater good or for the Lord, but simply because he hates demons and hell with a fire that�s as hot as the ones he destined for. (He�s doing it all for himself, you see.) He apparently also won�t ask for forgiveness for his sin(s.) I put this in the same category as most men refusing to ask for directions.
The main story starts when a woman commits suicide. The woman is a patient in a psychiatric ward, so most people figure �end of story� and move on. Her sister doesn�t buy it, however. Knowing that Isabel (the dead woman) was a devote Catholic, Angela (the live woman) investigates further. She�s a detective on the city police force, and has heard of one John Constantine, the man who gets called in when things aren�t quite as earthly enough for the police to deal with. Although he�s initially reluctant to help out, he quickly realizes something huge and strange is going on � more than usual, that is.
I really liked it. I used to read the �Hellblazer� comic the movie is based on, and while the look of Constantine is all wrong, they nailed his attitude. It�s also got two actors I enjoy in it -- Keanu Reeves plays Constantine, with Rachel Weisz playing both Isabel and Angela. I�m hoping this one is a hit, to make up for the last movie they were in together (anyone remember Chain Reaction? No? Point made.) The special effects were well done, and there were plenty of them. (Lots of wings. Glowing eyes galore.) The images of hell were spectacular (although very LA-flavored.) They even managed to fit in plenty of humor, which is downright necessary to balance out the whole rotting-in-hell themes.
I did feel a little out of my element, as an atheist watching a movie about the certainty of Heaven, Hell, and divine beings. Other than that, though, I have no problem saying it�s wonderful and definitely to be watched.
I rate it: Full Price
Keanu Reeves as John Constantine
Rachel Weisz as Angela and Isabel Dodson
Tilda Swinton as Gabriel
Peter Stormare as Lucifer