Retro Film Review: Constantine (2005)
Some things in life are inevitable - such as death, taxes, and Hollywood's tendency to disappoint fans of cult comic books. An example of this can be seen in Constantine, a 2005 horror film directed by Francis Lawrence.
Constantine takes its name from John Constantine, the protagonist of the Hellblazer series of comic books. Originating in the 1980s, the series follows the exploits of an antihero who relies on his magical powers to battle demonic forces for survival rather than to save the world. Constantine, resembling Sting and speaking in a distinct blue-collar English dialect, became one of the most iconic figures in modern comics.
When Hollywood brought the series to the silver screen, very little of the original comic book essence remained intact. Beyond the character's name and smoking habit, almost everything was altered - from relocating London to Los Angeles, transforming Constantine from British to American, and changing his appearance to resemble Neo from The Matrix. This decision, influenced by casting Keanu Reeves as the lead, ultimately doomed the film for fans familiar with the source material. The screenplay by Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello stripped away the intricate plot and nuanced character development from the comics, replacing them with a simplified and clichéd narrative filled with exorcisms, religious tropes like the Spear of Christ, and a predictable showdown with Satan.
While Keanu Reeves may not have had the opportunity to showcase his full range as an actor in Constantine, due to the character's transformation into a conventional and unconvincing hero, Rachel Weisz delivers a stronger performance despite her somewhat stereotypical role as a twin sister. Tilda Swinton shines as Archangel Gabriel, and Peter Stormare injects some much-needed entertainment as Lucifer in one of the film's memorable moments. However, their efforts are insufficient to elevate Constantine above the typical Hollywood mediocrity. Despite decent special effects and sporadically engaging scenes, watching Constantine can still be a painful experience for those who were fans of the original comic books. In 2014 original comic books were adapted again as short-lived television series starring Matt Ryan.
(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)
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