Constantine
2005
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, and Gavin Rossdale.

I was pretty hyped with this film and with all the advertisements (they showed a shitload of ads on this film), I thought it would suck. Well, the film surely didn't suck and it turned out to be one of the most entertaining comic book to film adaptations ever. I even found it to be better than X2. The reason why it's so entertaining is that it never takes itself too seriously or too dark in tone. Aside from that, the performances were pretty good all around while Tilda Swinton, who plays the half-breed Gabriel, had a standout performance. I was also pretty surprised with the plot twist near the end (and I find plot twists really early in films, i.e. Into the Mirror). The visual effects were great as well and didn't look at cheap at all. Lawrence did a great job as a first time film director and it shows. He doesn't use blaring music or quick cuts like other first time directors do. This film was pretty great. Critics didn't like this film and I know why, they take the film too seriously. And oh yeah, don't leave until ALL the credits are finished.

Stars: ***1/2