Constantine
Warner Brothers 2005

The Hub likes to see movies for their special effects. I like to see movies for their plots...but I have watched whole movies for their costumes or visual imagery unrelated to special effects. In fact, I am one of the few people in the modern world upon whom special effects are usually just lost. The most spectacular explosion, lifelike dinosaur or monster, or detailed computer landscape I just register as "it blew up", "monster" and "background."

With that in mind, Constantine was not a bad movie....

It helps, in fact, I would say it's crucial to have a synopsis of the plot before you go see it. It also helps to know that that this movie is based on a comic book.

It's not a complex plot. John Constantine, perfectly played by Keanu Reeves, is man who can see the angels and demons that co-exist with us on our "plane". Not surprisingly, he committed suicide as a teenager and was dead for two minutes, before being revived by paramedics. As a suicide, he is condemned to hell "Those are the rules", the movie tells us ( alluding strongly to "the rules" of the Roman Catholic Church). In an effort to bargain with God, he casts out or "deports back to hell" as many demons as he can find, hoping that he can do enough good deeds to buy his way into heaven. Anyone remotely familiar with Christian theology will see why this would not work out.

The plot, such as it is, thickens as the long held "balance" between God and Lucifer is threatoned by Lucifer's side as Constantine smokes himself into an early grave. We get to see a special effects that even I noticed during an exorsism as Constantine takes over for a drunk priest ( have there been any priests in movies that haven't been drunk lately? I don't remember any) And, yes, in case you are wondering, a lay person can be an exorcist. Heck I even ran across this link to The Christian Exorcist School for anyone with an interest, $299, and a startling lack of common sense.

Constantine gets involved with Detective Angela Dodgson played by Rachel Weisz. It's her performance that rescues that role from just "The Girl" in a comic book. There are scores of demons running around - one of whom is a complete special effect all in himself. The nattily dressed head demon Balthazar ( Gavin Rossdale) is balanced by the brilliantly cast Tilda Swindon as an androgynous Gabriel. "Neutral Ground" - and a nod to Voodun, Wicca, and Paganism - is held by Papa Midnite ( Djimon Hounsou). And if you think that all this gets confusing, you're right. If I hadn't read a review with a synopsis of the plot before I went to see the movie I would have been irritated beyond belief with it....since Constantine's situation is not fully clarified until nearly halfway through the film.

But the world of comic books is as much about arresting visual imagry as it is about story and this movie has it in spades. The special effects allow images of hell out of a Middle Ages woodcut to come to life with depth and clarity, while the hero escapes demons in a shot worthy of a Renessaince master painter. And it's not just special effects, but things an English major like me can appreciate. Constantine's weaknesses endear him to us, much more than his streangths. Like Milton's Lucifer, we can see where he's going wrong but completely understand his thinking because he's so much like us. Thus, when you notice a yellow rubber duck on the edge of the tub of a hard bitten chain smoking anti-hero you have to smile. Director Frances Lawrence is giving you an insight - the mask is slipping a little and Constantine's good heart is sure to be revealed.

And, in true comic book style, it is. Constantine is not saved by doctors, or nicorette gum. The world is not saved from an onslaught of evil demons through concsience, nobility, or brain power. Instead, the outcome is based on values that have made comics fun to read since WWII - Man is saved by Love, Self-Sacrifice, and Serious Ass-Kickin' Fire Power.

If you're looking for a break from the ordinary, a great visual feast with enough plot and playfulness to keep you involved....or, like me, are just soothed by Reeves' beautiful speaking voice and individualistic diction then this movie is worth the price of admission. If you know much about theology, apocraphyl traditions of the Catholic church, or smoking regulations in modern hospitals...you might want to check those at the door before you go in.