Constantine

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!

I went to see Constantine a couple of days back, and I gotta admit, I have mixed feelings. After several disasters in Hollywood comic adaptation front (the horrible Blade 3 and unutterably awful Elektra), Constantine is a big, big improvement; it is a is solid, entertaining movie set in the world of occult. If this film had not been based on DC comic Hellblazer, I would have really enjoyed it. However, the trenchcoat-wearing, wise-cracking magus John Constantine is a comic character like no other (with the possible exception of Usagi Yojimbo), and I doubt any movie production done outside the direct supervision of the creators of the original comic series could have done it justice.

These were the things that bothered me about the movie:

1) John Constantine is an Englishman. I understand that the holy tenant of Hollywood is that no American will go an see a movie that does not feature an American as a hero. But John is as British as they come: He is a full-blooded Londoner, gin-drinking Jack-o-lad with a thick London accent. He is blonde, blue-eyed Englishman who has incredibly sharp tongue and quick wit. Lets be honest, Keanu Reeves is none of those things. I rest my case.

2) John Constantine is absolutely, positively NOT a good guy. In fact, he is what Americans would call an asshole, and more correctly, British would call a wanker. He is a con-man, womanizer, occultist, chain-smoker and more often than not a reason why his friends and family die. He is the kind of anti-hero a real person can relate to. Constantine in the movie is actually nice, blameless guy who has never committed a sin in his life intentionally. Understandable of course if you consider the current religious climate of US, but disappointing nonetheless.

3) Constantine is not an action hero. In the comic John uses his wits, guile and very, very subtle magic to achieve his goals. Guns, fists and fast reflexes are not his style. Keanu Reeves however cannot do without big explosions and flashy action. To the credit of the film makers, John DOES use his brains in each of his many fights, which make it all more palatable.

If you are Constantine purist, take deep breath, remember that it is a Hollywood movie and go and see it –if you can look past the misgivings it is actually quite a good movie, and the supporting cast is excellent. Half-angel Gabriel and Lucifer are brilliant: the actors really enjoy their roles and it shows.

If you have not read the comics, go and see the film before you do –you’ll enjoy it more. But afterwards, go and buy Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits album that the movie is based on, and get blown away by the sheer excellence of this the best of mainstream comics.

Lets just hope Hollywood does not attempt to make a movie of Transmetropolitan. I’d hate to see Politically Correct Spider Jerusalem...

Posted by Dragon at 9 March 20:11, 2005