Constantine (DC Hero's #5 of 5)

Genre: Fantasy-Horror-Thriller-Live Action Comic Book Adaptation

Premise: Set in LA, John Constantine can see half-angels and half-demons in true forms. He desparately searches for salvation from damnation to hell for a suicide when he was younger by destroying demonds with his sidekick Chas. However, full demons are now trying to cross over. Constantine meets with half angel Gabriel, who tells him his acts won't save him from damnation.

Soon after, Constantine finds two LAPD officers investigating the death of his sister. Upon meeting a night club owner on safe ground to get a better handle on his sister's death and his own escape from damnation, Constantine is denied and begins investigating the situation on his own. Turns out God and Satan have a standing wager for mankind's souls. Angels and demons cannot manifest on Earth, but can possess and influence humans.

Constantine finds out demons are working for Satan's son, who wishes to create a kingdom on Earth. Satan's Son has even released a half-demon to locate Constantine's friends. Constantine attacks the half-demon to reveal Satan's Son now has the Spear of Destiny, which has the blood of Jesus Christ encrusted on it.

Constantine storms the safe ground, and is allowed access to a prophetic electric chair that allows himw to see that the Spear was found in Mexico and is now in LA. Constantine and Chas find Satan's Son conducting a ritual to rise Constantine's sister's body. In the process of stopping Satan's son, Chas is killed. Lucifer arrives to collect Constantine's soul, Constantine informs Lucifer of his son's plan so Lucifer sends the kick back to hell to keep him from conquering Earth.
In return for helping Lucier, Constantine asks for his sister to go to heaven. It turns out that by sacrifing himself for his sister, Constantine is allowed to go to heaven. At the end, Constantine watches Chas go into heaven.

About: This is also adapted from a Garth Ennis storyline in addition to a paperback of the story. However, the film changed significantly during rewrites. The original Constantine came from Liverpool and was based on Sting, expectedly this changed. The character was also given psychic ability to see half-breeds as they are, in the film this is what causes the character's drama. Also the film is called Constantine to avoid any confusion with Clive Barker's Hellraiser.

Writer: Kevin Brodbin (Mindhunters) worked on a script by Frank Cappello (who has a few other credits including Suburban Commando with Hulk Hogan) based mostly on a Garth Ennis (Preacher) storyline

Time for an embarassing secret: I had just always assumed Constantine was a historical period piece. Not about a man who uses a prophetic electric chair to stop the Son of Satan from taking over the world. There's so much excellent build up this story: a great anti-hero, the chair, a spear with the blood of Christ. But ultimately, this thing is a big let down. First off, you know you're in trouble when a character supposed to be played by Sting ends up being played by Keanu Reeves. This ended up feeling very similar to an episode of Angel or Buffy (which I'm generally not a fan of, there's always alot of cool premises which are resolved through generic fight scenes.) Keep in mind Constantine is also regurgitating The Devil's Advocate, End of Days, and The Sin Eater. Moody visuals. Cool lead-in's. Action-packed conclusions that completely ignore any visible storyline. The first half of the script is merely build up, though, it's when the whole story tries to resolve itself that the real problems come into play. I guess it's an action movie for Buffy people? I just didn't get this thing at all, and I know now I wasn't missing anything by never watching the film.

Scooby Doo (Complete Crap)

[X] Atilla (Poor, Few Redeeming Qualities)

Wedding Crashers (Mediocre)

Hot Rod (Good)

Definitely Maybe (Pretty Darn Good)

Isla Roles: The only female characters in this thing are way underdeveloped, and tend to feel more like instruments in moving the plot along than living breathing personalities. Let's skip Isla for consideration in any of these roles.

Tip: A typical McGuffin that has been revamped to include a weird twist or another angle can really make or break a movie. Now, the bloody spear and the electric chair don't make this film. But, this is true in other films like Indiana Jones (the Holy Grail, the Arc), the briefcase in Pulp Fiction, or the unobtanium in Avatar. If you aren't going to be original in plot, make sure your story at least has some original elements.