neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Constantine
	Francis Lawrence Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, Max Baker, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gavin Rossdale, Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare 2005		In his original incarnation as anti-hero of the DC comic book "Hellblazer," John Constantine is a bitter, chainsmoking, trenchcoat-wearing, demon-fighting investigator of the supernatural. He's British and blond, too. But the makers of the passable horror-fantasy film "Constantine," ostensibly based on the comics, Americanized the character and gave him needless nobility, removing what was unique about him. The screen version of this nasty, spell-casting agent with one foot in Hell is played by dark-haired Keanu Reeves, one step removed from his role as virtual-reality warrior-dude Neo of "The Matrix" trilogy. Rather than prowling the sinister, shadowy alleys of London or the faerie-infested countryside of England, he patrols the seedier neighborhoods of Los Angeles, performing exorcisms and trying to outwit the minions of Heaven and Hell. An increase in L.A. demonic activity puts Constantine at greater risk than usual. Looking into the suspicious circumstances of a woman's alleged suicide, he meets the departed's sister, policewoman Angela Dodson; together, they confront the forces of darkness. The special effects are the now-typical nightmare visions seen in such efforts. The cast, especially Rachel Weisz as Angela, Tilda Swinton as androgynous Gabriel and Djimon Hounsou as Voodoo master Papa Midnite, is damned fine. Reeves is acceptable, only he ain't John Constantine.


	Wednesday, December 18, 2024





	Search Neumu: