Fighting for Heaven
Constantine Offers Supernatural Effects and Theology

The heroes of our age are darker. They are more likely to wear trenchcoats rather than capes. They are more likely to kill than be killed. They seem to walk a line on the edge of the abyss, always looking in, trying to understand that beast that they want so desperately to vanquish. For a man struggling with his inner demons, one couldn't find a more apt specimen than John Constantine. The problem is, his demons aren't metaphorical -- and neither is his struggle.

Keanu Reeves plays the occult detective John Constantine (based on the Hellblazer comic book series from Vertigo). He is a man doing a job, one that he doesn't like very much. For him, in his world, exorcisms and demon fighting is a constant struggle. While his expertise may seem impressive, for him it is a curse that he has been fighting since childhood. He sees things no one else sees and in the end it drove him to suicide. He's been to Hell, literally, and he knows he doesn't want to go back. So he fights the demonic forces in hopes of earning heaven. As for Constantine, his battle for heaven may be ending. His doctor diagnoses him with lung cancer and his time is running out.

The power of the Constantine story is in the little things. The film sets up a very interesting world filled with artifacts of power and half-breed angels and demons who influence (for better or worse) our plane of existence. The theology is enticing because it suggests that there is more going on here on Earth than we mere mortals may suspect. The creepy images of faces crumbling to ghoulish skulls or androgynous figures suddenly sporting wings suggests a world hidden behind a thin veil of our reality.

First time director Francis Lawrence shows only that he is good with special effects. Whether it is the sight of demons crashing through walls or punching through flesh, there are enough wow moments to entice fans of video games and action movies. Where the film fails, however, is in the quieter moments of the film.

For all its dark glamour, Constantine doesn't make much of a splash. The story has more than a few plot holes that leave the audience wondering what happened because of the amount of dialogue that almost goes unheard. Good dialogue is rare in films, so I guess Hollywood considers it unimportant. For my money, though, a good story is driven not only by the actions on the screen but also by what is said. Keanu may not be the world's greatest actor, but if his character is saying something I want to hear it. Other bits of dialogue are lost amid whispers and demonic growls so even a death scene by a secondary character leaves me wondering "What did he say?"

The soundtrack to the film goes unnoticed. Brian Tyler and Klaus Badelt drum up a score that is completely forgettable. I couldn't even tell you where the music played in the film. It was so unmemorable.

While most people may not find Constantine to be their cup of tea, it appealed to me on two levels. First, it offered a theological (and apocalyptical) storyline that was interesting to me. Second, it offered enough action and good special effects to entertain me. I went in to this film with low expectations and found that it exceeded them. Not by much, perhaps, but exceeded them nonetheless.

MY RATING: 6 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 121 min.