Themes: Priceless Artifacts and Prized Objects, Demonic Possession, Race Against Time
Main Cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, Max Baker
Release Year: 2005
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
An ordinary man with an extraordinary gift must save the planet from evil in this action-packed fantasy. Unknown to most people, the world is crowded with spirits both good and evil who walk among us in human guise. One of the few who can see these spirits is John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), but the responsibility of his vision is more than he can stand, and he tries to kill himself. Saved from death, Constantine must now atone for his actions by acting as a guardian in the middle ground between Paradise and Hell. Constantine also makes the acquaintance of Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), a police detective who becomes aware of his unusual gift while looking into the death of her sister; he leads her into the unknown world of the spirits and soon circumstances demand that they join forces in a desperate bid to save humanity from evil. Constantine also features Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare, and Gavin Rossdale, the latter best known as the lead singer of the rock group Bush. Michelle Monaghan (Made of Honor) was originally in the film (cast as a half-breed demon) but director Francis Lawrence cut her scenes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Based on the DC comic Hellblazer, Warner Bros.' Constantine is a murky tale of heavenly redemption, which is basically what the comic company has been looking for ever since the slap in the face that was Catwoman. While leaps and bounds above that wretched pile, you could say this flick is basically an American slap in the face to the Brits, who have long championed the bastard character of John Constantine as their country's own. Cue in Keanu, fresh from the intellectually bloated Matrix trilogy, turning in a moody performance full of drawn-out line deliveries that, while stilted, deliver just enough of the original character to make it work, though the screenwriters don't help things by handing him yet another morose guy to deal with instead of retaining the piss and vinegar that made Constantine such a likable chap to begin with. With more attitude and less glum, the movie would have had a better center to keep it from wallowing in its gloomy seriousness. Still, first-time director Francis Lawrence brings an inspired eye to the picture, delivering on the dingy atmosphere with fantastical effects around each corner to keep things interesting. Despite a gutsy ending that hinges on a late but deliciously juicy reveal of the main villain, the flick seems to have been sculpted in the editing room and not on the page. The sidekick characters are hardly used (and in Shia LaBeouf's case, serve little purpose in the story), and some slog the picture for its vague take on the mysticism angle, even though it remains to be one of the flick's strongest and boldest creative choices. In the end, Constantine is an entertaining ride that only slightly misses its mark, but it's certainly worth the price of admission for people that are looking for something a bit different from your usual Hollywood fare. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Pruitt Taylor Vince - Father Hennessy; Gavin Rossdale - Balthazar; Tilda Swinton - Gabriel; Peter Stormare - Satan; Larry Cedar - Vermin Man; Edward J. Rosen - Liquor Store Clerk; Ann Ryerson - Old Woman on Bus; Suzanne Whang - Mother; April Grace - Dr. Archer; Sharon Omi - Female Tenant; José Zuñiga - Detective Weiss; Francis Guinan - Father Garrett; Alice Lo - Old Woman; Nicolas Downs - Church Attendant; Jeremy Ray Valdez - Liquor Store Clerk; Johanna Trias - Possessed Girl; Tanoai Reed - Midnite Bouncer; John Gipson - Smoking Man; Laz Alonso - Morgue Security Guard; Barbara Pilavin - Old Woman on Bus (Demon); Jesse Ramirez - Scavenger; Quinn Buniel - 10 Year- Old Constantine; Stephanie Fabian - Molly's Server; Connor Dylan Wryn - Teenage Constantine; Jose Molina - Scavenger #2; C.W. Pyun - Korean Man; Roberto Kawata - Police Officer
Credit
David S. Lazan - Art Director, Chuck Duke - Animator, Aaron Gilman - Animator, Julie Jaros - Animator, Guido Muzzarelli - Animator, Mark Shoaf - Animator, Jason Armstrong - Animator, Michael Kitchen - Animator, Brian Mendenhall - Animator, Jim Brown - Animator, Michael Leonard - Animator, Jess Vickery - Animator, FURIOUS FX - Animator, David Lingenfelser - Animator, Scott Dougherty - Animator, Marvin E. Lewis - Boom Operator, Denise Chamian - Casting, Brian Tyler - Conductor, Josh McLaglen - Co-producer, Cherylanne Martin - Co-producer, Rick Kelly - Co-producer, Louise Frogley - Costume Designer, Josh McLaglen - First Assistant Director, Darin John Rivetti - First Assistant Director, Francis Lawrence - Director, Michael Fink - Second Unit Director, Wayne Wahrman - Editor, Gilbert Adler - Executive Producer, Michael Aguilar - Executive Producer, Chad Stahelski - Fights Choreographer, Molly Allen - Location Manager, Doug S. McClintock II - Location Manager, Brian Tyler - Composer (Music Score), Klaus Badelt - Composer (Music Score), Brian Tyler - Songwriter, Klaus Badelt - Songwriter, Steve Artmond - Makeup, Stan Winston Studio - Makeup Special Effects, Mark La Bonge - Camera Operator, Naomi Shohan - Production Designer, Philippe Rousselot - Cinematographer, Neal Norton - Cinematographer, Lauren Shuler-Donner - Producer, Michael E. Uslan - Producer, Erwin Stoff - Producer, Benjamin Melniker - Producer, Akiva Goldsman - Producer, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura - Producer, Melissa J. Daniel - Research, Richard Mays - Set Designer, Steven Schwartz - Set Designer, Greg Berry - Set Designer, William Law III - Set Designer, Allen Hall - Special Effects, Matthew Hall - Special Effects, Frank Toro - Special Effects, James Reedy - Special Effects, David Waine - Special Effects, Joe Montenegro - Special Effects, Ante Dugandzic - Special Effects, Andrew Weder - Special Effects, Michael R. Kay - Special Effects, Nathaniel Acord - Special Effects, Brian Barnhart - Special Effects, Anthony Ray Herrera - Special Effects, Jack B. Jennings - Special Effects, Jeff "Khach" Adoorian - Special Effects, Jeff Ogg - Special Effects, Craig Reedy - Special Effects, Jay T. Rockwell - Special Effects, Parry D. Willard - Special Effects, Carlos M. Rodriguez - Special Effects, Pam Elliott - Special Effects, Willie D. Burton - Sound Mixer, Willie D. Burton - Sound/Sound Designer, Jeremy Peirson - Sound/Sound Designer, Steven Ho - Stunts, Henry Kingi - Stunts, Brian Duffy - Stunts, Michael Brady - Stunts, Christian Fletcher - Stunts, Hiro Koda - Stunts, Richard Cetrone - Stunts, Scott Rogers - Stunts, Chris Palermo - Stunts, Tim Rigby - Stunts, Mike Justus - Stunts, Kenny Alexander - Stunts, Jason Rodriguez - Stunts, Bob Brown - Stunts, Debbie Rondell - Stunts, Jeremy Fitzgerald - Stunts, Thomas Ficke - Stunts, Rex Reddick - Stunts, Jared Eddo - Stunts, Brad Martin - Stunts, Gloria O'Brien - Stunts, Andree Gibbs - Stunts, J.J. Perry - Stunts, Brandon Johnson - Stunts, Marcus Young - Stunts, Thirl R. Haston - Stunts, Hank Amos - Stunts, David Hugghins - Stunts, Doug O'Dell - Stunts, Jane Oshita - Stunts, David Schultz - Stunts, Xuyen T. Valdivia - Stunts, Clint James - Stunts, Heidi Moneymaker - Stunts, Matthew Rugetti - Stunts, Paul Crawford - Stunts, Lena Fennema - Stunts, Greg Anthony - Stunts, Jeremy Fry - Stunts, Karin Silvestri - Stunts, R.A. Rondell - Stunts Coordinator, Cherylanne Martin - Unit Production Manager, Kevin Brodbin - Screen Story, Frank Cappello - Screenwriter, Kevin Brodbin - Screenwriter, Michael Fink - Visual Effects Supervisor, Craig Hayes - Visual Effects Supervisor, George Murphy - Visual Effects Supervisor, Ian Hunter - Visual Effects Supervisor, Greg Juby - Visual Effects Supervisor, Stephen Flick - Sound Effects Editor, John Fasal - Sound Effects Editor, Craig Berkey - Sound Effects Editor, Charles Maynes - Sound Effects Editor, James Morioka - Sound Effects Editor, Patricia Libenson - Sound Effects Editor, Paulette Osorio - Unit Publicist, Stan Winston Studio - Animatronic Effects, Pamela Rittelmeyer - First Assistant Camera, C. Alan Rawlins - Key Grip, Andrew Taylor - Key Grip, Shane Mahan - Makeup Supervisor, John Rosengrant - Makeup Supervisor, Joe Lisanti - Music Editor, Daryl Kell - Music Editor, Gary L. Krause - Music Editor, Martin Tillman - Musical Performer, Ilyse A. Reutlinger - Post Production Supervisor, Ted Deiker - Production Coordinator, Matthew J. Birch - Production Supervisor, Kirk Corwin - Properties Master, David E. Campbell - Re-Recording Mixer, Gregg Rudloff - Re-Recording Mixer, John Reitz - Re-Recording Mixer, Luca Kouimelis - Script Supervisor, Basil Bryant Grillo - Second Assistant Director, Mark La Bonge - Steadicam Operator, David James - Still Photographer, Skip Lievsay - Supervising Sound Editor, Randy Bricker - Visual Effects Producer, Ann Podlozny - Visual Effects Producer, Amy Hollywood Wixson - Visual Effects Producer, Jason Heapy - Visual Effects Producer, Denise Davis - Visual Effects Producer, Donna Langston - Visual Effects Producer, Joe Dorn - ADR Editor, Eric Gotthelf - ADR Mixer, Thomas J. O'Connell - ADR Mixer, Troy Porter - ADR Mixer, Dean Tschetter - Assistant Art Director, Robert Fechtman - Assistant Art Director, Suzan Wexler - Assistant Art Director, Jason Sweers - Assistant Art Director, James Babineaux - Assistant Chief Lighting Technician, Gene Hara - Assistant Chief Lighting Technician, Gretel Twombly - Assistant Production Coordinator, Andrew M. Siegel - Assistant Properties, Greg Ten Bosch - Assistant Sound Editor, Riko Schatke - Best Boy Grip, Huston Beaumont - Best Boy Grip, Dena Berman - Casting Assistant, Scout Masterson - Casting Associate, Jack English - Chief Lighting Technician, Juan Morse - Chief Lighting Technician, Robert Q. Mathews - Costumes Supervisor, Susan Dudeck - Dialogue Editor, Ulrika Akander - Dialogue Editor, Darryl "D-Man" Humber - Dolly Grip, Stephen M. Foss - Dolly Grip, Tracy Dixon - Extra Casting, Katherine Zaslaw - First Assistant Accountant, Gordon Antell - First Assistant Editor, John Roesch - Foley Artist, Alyson Moore - Foley Artist, John Joseph Thomas - Foley Editor, Jennifer Lax - Key Costumer, Nina Padovano - Key Costumer, Richard Schoen - Key Costumer, Valerie O'Brien - Key Costumer, Garet Reilly Batchelor - Key Costumer, Nancy E. Smytka - Key Costumer, Valerie Laven-Cooper - Key Costumer, Candace Neal - Key Hairstylist, Joel Harlow - Key Make-up, Scott Bobbitt - Leadman, Jeremy Stein - Personal Assistant, Katie Gordon - Personal Assistant, Janette Vecchiarelli - Personal Assistant, Bobby Sabelhaus - Personal Assistant, F.J. DeSanto - Personal Assistant, Jane Kelly Kosek - Personal Assistant, Antonia Kalmacoff - Personal Assistant, Colleen Conroy - Personal Assistant, Ed Tapia - Personal Assistant, Janey L. Bergam - Personal Assistant, Natalie Borlaug - Personal Assistant, Jackie Baugh - Production Accountant, Xiomara Comrie - Second Assistant Camera, Maria Battle-Campbell - Second Second Assistant Director, Jeffrey Snyder - Set Dresser, Randy Burke - Transportation Captain, Dan Marrow - Transportation Coordinator, Greg Oehler - Visual Effects, Matthew Adams - Visual Effects, CIS Hollywood - Visual Effects, Tippett Studio - Visual Effects, Bob Lyss - Visual Effects, Bryan Hirota - Visual Effects, ESC Entertainment - Visual Effects, Julie Orosz - Visual Effects, Hatch Production - Visual Effects, Mark Shoaf - Visual Effects, Hy*drau"lx - Visual Effects, Michael "Tony" Meagher - Visual Effects, Greg Strause - Visual Effects, Greg Liegey - Visual Effects, Aaron Cohen - Visual Effects, Chris Moore - Visual Effects, Joe Henke - Visual Effects, Julia Gaudette - Visual Effects, Mathias Frodin - Visual Effects, Patrick Kavanaugh - Visual Effects, Diana Miao - Visual Effects, Eric Pender - Visual Effects, Marc Nanjo - Visual Effects, Kyle Yamamoto - Visual Effects, John Cassella - Visual Effects, Gary Abrahamian - Visual Effects, Amy Garback - Visual Effects, Heather Ryan MacPhee - Visual Effects, Christine Troianello - Visual Effects, Kristine Lankenau - Visual Effects, Colin Strause - Visual Effects, Rina Strause - Visual Effects, Yoshiya Yamada - Visual Effects, Adam Lisagor - Visual Effects, Bill Kunin - Visual Effects, Erik Liles - Visual Effects, Duy Tan Nguyen - Visual Effects, Joshua Cordes - Visual Effects, Joel Sevilla - Visual Effects, Zach Judson - Visual Effects, FURIOUS FX - Visual Effects, David Lingenfelser - Visual Effects, Scott Dougherty - Visual Effects, Matthew T. Wilson - Visual Effects, Christopher Ryan - Visual Effects, Chris Allen - Visual Effects, Eric Roth - Visual Effects, Douglas Mowat - Set Decorator, Michael J. Benavente - ADR Supervisor, Gary A. Theard - Cable Person, David Hussey - Color Timing, Richard Cody - Craft Service/Catering, Chef Robert Catering - Craft Service/Catering, Mary Jo Lang - Foley Mixer, Mo Henry - Negative Cutter, Michael P. Twombly - Production Secretary, Sarah Schubert - Visual Effects Editor, Jason Matthews - Conceptual Design, Bronwyn Waddington - Assistant Editor, Susan Germaine - Department Head Hair, Ve Neill - Department Head Makeup, Joel Dougherty - First Assistant Sound Editor, Clayton Martinez - Mold Department, Joe Gomez - Mold Department, Cory Czekaj - Mold Department, Chris Cheatham - Mold Department, Brian Hillard - Mold Department, Christopher Grossnickle - Mold Department, Gerard Benjamin Pierre - Compositor, Misty Segura Barbour - Compositor, Michael Clemens - Compositor, Chris Gibbons - Compositor, Daniel Bryant - Compositor, Aruna Inversin - Compositor, Jonathan Knight - Compositor, Alexandra Papavramides-Pierre - Compositor, Ari Rubenstein - Compositor, David Schnee - Compositor, Mark Siew - Compositor, Chris Morley - Compositor, Dan Cayer - Lead Compositor, Matt Jacobs - Lead Compositor, Shelley Campbell - Rotoscope Artist, Lucinda Chee - Rotoscope Artist, Robert Dorris - Rotoscope Artist, Kane Brassington - Rotoscope Artist, Dan Riha - Rotoscope Artist
Constantine is a 2005Americanfilm based on Vertigo Comics' Hellblazercomic book, with some plot elements being taken from the "Dangerous Habits" story arc (issues #41-46) and others - such as the inclusion of Papa Midnite - from the "Original Sins" trade paperback. It was released on February 8, 2005 in Hong Kong, and on February 18, 2005 in the U.S. and Canada.
John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a chain smoking cynic, has a special gift of being able to see angels, demons, and half-breeds. The movie opens with the discovery of the "spear of destiny" which, according to Catholics, had been the true cause of the death of Jesus. The whole of the movie is based on the concept that Satan's son Mammon wants to have his own hell on earth. Similarly, the half-breed angel Gabriel wants humans to be worthy of God's love by proving themselves truly good beings while surviving hell on earth. Gabriel thinks that its unfair for humans to attain God's forgiveness through true repentance because she believes it to be too easy. Hence, she tries to assist Mammon to come to Earth, since he needs divine assistance to do so. Now it's up to John Constantine to save the day.
Constantine was written using some elements from Garth Ennis' "Dangerous Habits" story arc (issues #41–46)[1] and others—such as the inclusion of Papa Midnite—from the "Original Sins" trade paperback.[2] However, the film changed several aspects of the source material, including a number of cosmetic changes to the lead character's appearance: Reeves played the role with his natural accent and hair colour[3] whilst the original character was intentionally drawn to resemble British musician Sting and originally came from Liverpool.[4] The film was also set in Los Angeles, with the director pointing out that the comic book wasn't exclusively set in London either.[3]
Other differences to the character were made, such as giving him the psychic ability to see "half breeds" as they truly are. That ability, in the movie, is what caused him to attempt suicide and which led to his damnation[5] rather than his role in summoning a demon that killed a young girl.[6] The resolution of the lung cancer plotline in the film was also amended, with Lucifer saving the redeemed Constantine to give him a second chance at falling rather than being tricked into having no choice not to in the comic book.[5]
The film's title was changed, from Hellblazer to Constantine to avoid confusion with the Clive BarkerHellraiser films.[3] The comics series itself was originally to be titled Hellraiser but was also retitled to avoid confusion with the film, released the previous year.[4]
Types of angels and demons
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The only angels and demons that are featured in this film are called half-breeds, described below. Like the demons in this film, true angels are forbidden from entering the earthly plane. Unlike demons in this film, however, angels appear to be too honest to cheat. Any other types of angel and or demon that might exist within the film's setting are thus unknown.
Half-Breeds: These creatures are semi-angels and semi-demons, responsible for influencing mortals, but not directly interfering in their actions. They appear as normal humans, unless they come in contact with holy instruments. Because of their partly mortal nature, they are the only demons or angels allowed to exist in the Earth plane. The half-demons corrupt human souls, making human beings commit evil and sin, while the half-angels sometimes cause humans to commit heroic acts they'd otherwise not do. Being the only demons and angels permitted to be on Earth, they are John Constantine's most common targets. They become more vulnerable when exposed to blessed and holy instruments, such as holy water. Balthazar was a notable half-demon whom John seemed to personally despise.
Soldier Demons: These creatures are the tormentors of Hell. They are depicted as wretched, naked, pale, corpse-like monsters and are missing the top portion of their heads. They walk upright, but are often seen running on all-fours like wild animals. As the tormentors of Hell, they viciously attack the souls of the damned without hesitation or remorse. Although one soldier demon possessed a little girl's body, it was banished when John exorcised it into a mirror. John has encountered them during his time in Hell.
Scavenger Demons: These creatures bring damned souls to Hell. They appear bat-like, and fly in great numbers. Although demons are not allowed on Earth, a large number of them attacked John in a Los Angeles street.
Vermin Demon: A creature composed of other, smaller, creatures including beetles, rats, snakes and crabs. It attacked John in the street, but was stunned by John's use of an Amityville Screech Beetle, and was then defeated. Constantine later told Papa Midnite that he was attacked by a full-fledged Demon, who like Angels, shouldn't have been in the Human World.
Weapons
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A plethora of weapons are used or tested out by Constantine in order to kill or incapacitate various demons. These include a dragon's breath flamethrower, gold brassknuckles with crosses, vials of holy water from the River Jordan, a silver cross to sanctify water, a St. Anthony's medallion, a holy cross shotgun resembling an Armsel Striker, and the sign of the Triquetra. These serve either as combat weapons or defensive amulets.
John also uses an Amityville Screech Beetle, a small insect kept inside a matchbox. When shaken, it emits a high-pitched sound which stuns demons. This is a reference to the high pitched clicks of the sacred Ancient Egyptianscarab beetle, which lives in tombs.
During the final fight of the film, when commanding Gabriel to show himself, John combines a set of tattoos on his forearms, forming a sigil, and recites the line, "Into the light, I command thee" The emblem is called the Perfect Red King of Sulfur.[7] Used in Alchemy, sulfur is a purifying agent.
Box office and proposed sequel
Constantine earned over $230 million in worldwide box office receipts.
Movie producer Lauren Shuler Donner stated in a November 18-19, 2006 interview that writers were developing a script for Constantine 2 and that Keanu Reeves was willing to reprise his role as John Constantine. Donner also stated that Constantine 2 would be filmed in a South American country, and a different director would replace Francis Lawrence who directed the first film. Nevertheless, Lawrence would remain, acting as a producer on the sequel.[8][9][10] On March 22, 2008, Reeves stated he would not be willing to participate in a sequel of the movie.[11] However, months later, he directly contradicted this statement in another interview prior to the December 2008 release of The Day the Earth Stood Still.[12]
Warner Home Video announced that the film was to be released on HD DVD on March 28, 2006.[13] It would be one of the earliest titles to be released on that media format. However, following delays to the launch of the HD DVD format (which pushed back the release of many of the initially announced titles), Constantine eventually made its debut on HD DVD on June 6, 2006.
There was also a video game of the movie for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. The game was a third-person action/adventure game, and it did not feature Keanu Reeves' voice, but a close impersonator.
