2005’s Constantine: It’s OK to Love This Movie!
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
2005’s Constantine gets a lot of hate on the internet. Why? Because everyone loves Matt Ryan’s 2014 take on the short lived NBC series-and beyond-and can’t fathom loving two different things starring two different people.
But you can love them both-I promise.
What You’re Missing If You Missed the Film
Yes: The film is set in L.A., and Constantine is American. But it’s Keanu Reeves, y’all. And Keanu brings all of John’s cynicism, wit, investigative skills, and tortured soul to the role. Like Matt Ryan, Keanu is actually a fan of the character. And the movie does use a storyline from the comics(Dangerous Habits).
John is a master of the occult, but few remember that John is an almost Batman level detective. In the movie, you do see him use his skills, instead of just magic.
Tilda Swinton as Gabriel.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
The special effects are incredible, as is the depiction of hell and the devil himself(Peter Stormare), not to mention the angel Gabriel(Tilda Swinton). That is some first notch talent, and you’re missing out!
(Ed. – Peter Stormare’s turn in this movie is my favourite celluloid interpretation of the devil EVER.)
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
Peter Stormare as Satan
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
Might I Add
Apart from the amazing talent, the movie’s plot is very on par with John:
The Spear of Destiny has been found, and someone-a very powerful someone-wants to use it to bring literal hell to earth. Powerful enough to kill John’s friends. John has to use his wits and abilities to find the guilty perpetrator(s) and save the earth.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
The demons of Constantine.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
Easter Eggs and Nods
There are demons, angels, and if you don’t blink, major Hellblazer character Ellie(Michelle Monaghan), and comic book bounty hunter and supermodel Domino in a bar scene.
There are nods to the comic and little moments that you have to watch a time or two to catch. If you are curious, you can check out the movie’s IMDb trivia page.
The fact that there isn’t a real love interest in this film lets the movie concentrate on the story. Rachel Weisz’s Angela Dodson has a chemistry with John, but she is a peer and equal, tough as nails but denying the supernatural world.
Why the Hate?
Again, Constantine the film is mostly hated by fans of Matt Ryan. If you don’t like the story, or have another reason not driven by some weird obsession over non-existent ownership, I’m cool with that.
I love Matt, and think his portrayal is the best. He breathed life into the character and thanks to being a Welshman, could really recite those crazy sounding incantations! But fans of John Constantine can love them both-there’s no law forbidding it. They are what they are, different, but capturing different facets of John Constantine.
Like a great friend and fellow John Constantine fan said: “They are in love with the actor, not the character.”
What the haters forget is that the modest success of the movie opened the door for the TV series. So, in essence, they have Keanu Reeves’s 2005 Constantine to thank for Matt Ryan’s current one!
And in the INCREDIBLE limited Hellblazer run written by Si Spurrier and illustrated by the crazy good Aaron Campbell, both Keanu and Matt became canon due to one panel.
So, again, check the 2005’s Constantine out and let us know what you think!
2005’s Constantine is available on Blu-Ray and DVD and some streaming services. Matt Ryan’s Constantine is available on the same! The Award winning run on Constantine is gathered into two volumes available here. Enjoy them all!
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Photo credit: Warner Brothers
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