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Another horror-action movie that comes to the screen by way of comic books, Constantine gives Matrix star Keanu Reeves yet another opportunity to do battle with demonic forces as humanity's fate hangs by a thread. He plays John Constantine, a suicide victim who confronts undead malefactors on a daily basis to maintain the tenuous balance of good and evil -- and hopefully win entry into heaven, thus far denied him. Aided by a small but devoted network of friends (Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, and Pruitt Taylor Vince, among others), the cynical, irreverent Constantine wages constant war on an enemy that goes unseen by human beings. After being enlisted by police detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to help her ascertain the reasons for her twin sister's suicide, John uncovers a gargantuan plot that ultimately brings him face-to-face with Satan himself (Peter Stormare). The yarn's comic-book origins are readily apparent; one can easily imagine the dialogue appearing in word balloons over the characters' heads. Constantine abounds in supernatural claptrap and corny plot devices, but it features inventive, eye-popping special effects and moves like a freight train under the direction of music-video specialist Francis Lawrence. Along with the rapid pace and stylish visuals, we get some fight scenes in which Reeves shows his mettle. (Obviously, all those brawls with the Matrix trilogy's Agent Smith served to toughen up our boy Keanu.) Make no mistake about it, this movie is filled with nonsense from beginning to end -- but it's highly entertaining and slickly turned-out nonsense, which is the best kind. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

An ordinary man with an extraordinary gift must save the planet from evil in this action-packed fantasy. Unknown to most people, the world is crowded with spirits both good and evil who walk among us in human guise. One of the few who can see these spirits is John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), but the responsibility of his vision is more than he can stand, and he tries to kill himself. Saved from death, Constantine must now atone for his actions by acting as a guardian in the middle ground between Paradise and Hell. Constantine also makes the acquaintance of Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), a police detective who becomes aware of his unusual gift while looking into the death of her sister; he leads her into the unknown world of the spirits and soon circumstances demand that they join forces in a desperate bid to save humanity from evil. Constantine also features Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare, and Gavin Rossdale, the latter best known as the lead singer of the rock group Bush. Michelle Monaghan (Made of Honor) was originally in the film (cast as a half-breed demon) but director Francis Lawrence cut her scenes. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 085391156802
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Time: 2:01:00
• Sales Rank: 24,811

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