20 years later, Constantine continues to be the Little Movie That Could. Not exactly a critical darling, it did fair business back in the day, getting considerable mileage out of Keanu Reeves’ recent success with The Matrix franchise (and obviously cut from similar cloth). But despite the intriguing premise - loosely based DC’s Hellblazer comics - the film was mostly driven by action and special effects.
As for me, it was a decent way to kill a few hours…watchable, though nothing particularly memorable. My wife, Francie, felt differently. Though not a big horror fan, this one joined 1999’s The Mummy and The Haunting as horror films she not-only enjoyed, but would rewatch from time to time (something her husband, who is a horror fan, never felt compelled to do).
Of course, Constantine is more of a dark fantasy than pure horror, but damn, if it didn’t go on to become a cult classic of the genre. Over the years, people like Francie have kept it alive and thriving on home video, to the point that a belated sequel is now in the works, which would make four film franchises Reeves has under his belt (surely some kind of record). With a following like that, a 20th Anniversary 4K upgrade is kind of a no brainer.
It’s also an opportunity to revisit a film I haven’t watched in its entirety since catching it in theaters (only bits and pieces whenever Francie popped in our old DVD to watch while folding laundry). Constantine has always been more of a visual experience than a narrative one, so perhaps reassessing it as such, in the best possible format, is what it ultimately deserves…
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| Making the most of bath time. |
My overall opinion of the film itself is largely unchanged, though I think I appreciated Reeve’s performance as the titular, damned-and-dying demon slayer more than I once did. Part of that could be because of how his career has shaped up over the years. He’s never been gifted with a lot of range, but in roles suited to his particular style, he’s become as reliable as Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise. There ain’t much difference between John Constantine, John Wick and Neo, but it’s now hard to imagine anyone else being nearly as effective in those roles. As such, Reeves’ tough, brooding approach is just what a cynical, nihilistic character like Constantine needs.
Movies like Constantine seem made for 4K and this disc is a significant technical upgrade from previous releases. It also comes with a digital copy and a new retrospective featurette, as well as an impressive amount of older bonus material.
EXTRA KIBBLES
TWO DECADES OF DAMNATION - This is a new retrospective featurette in which Keanu Reeves, director Francis Lawrence, producer Akiva Goldsman, and others. Watching them look fondly back at the film is entertaining, though not particularly revealing. It’s obvious Reeves loves this movie.
FEATURETTES - Channeling Constantine; Conjuring Constantine; Director’s Confessional; Collision with Evil; Holy Relics; Shotgun Shootout; Hellscape; Visualizing Vermin; Warrior Wings; Unholy Abduction; Demon Face; Constantine’s Cosmology; Foresight: the Power of Pre-Visualization; A Writer’s Vision.
2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By director Francis Lawrence & producer Akiva Goldsman; 2) By screenwriters Kevin Brodbin & Frank Cappello.
DELETED SCENES
ALTERNATE ENDING
DIGITAL COPY
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