Keanu Reeves takes a departure from his Neo character of "The Matrix" films and manages to come out ahead in "Constantine." He possesses no superhuman strength, agility or reflexes. All he has is faith. Maybe not even that. But he does have skills that make him the ever-vigilant hero.
Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book "Hellblazer," the movie is about part-supernatural detective, part-exorcist John Constantine. He is able to see demons and angels in human disguise. They walk amongst mortals to influence them. Constantine's mission is to punish these "half-breeds" and send them to Hell. All the while, he's trying to gain admission into Heaven.
Constantine's path crosses that of Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz, "Shape of Things"), a skeptical Los Angeles police officer who enlists his help in solving the circumstances of her twin sister's suicide. The chemistry between Constantine and Dodson is very much centered on her leaving her earthly world and entering his ethereal one.
Reeves shines in this movie because he portrays himself as an atypical hero. He has no social life and is very cynical, yet his knowledge of the supernatural and his connections to Heaven and Hell makes him unique.
The only real problem is Shia LaBeouf, the kid from "Even Stevens." He plays Chas Chandler, Constantine's taxi driver and apprentice. He really doesn't contribute much to the movie. At best, he's convenient comic relief. At worst, he's very annoying.
"Constantine" has a very religious context, but is also filled with action scenes. Constantine uses prayer, along with an interesting cache of weaponry. There is nothing that will disappoint people when they see this movie, especially Reeves in the first 20 minutes.
