The Vault: "Constantine" [Blu-Ray]

Talk about a movie that didn't get its due praise.

With only 46% on RottenTomatoes, "Constantine" has endured endless criticism for its messy script and overly-spectacular battle royale between heaven and hell. Keanu Reeves didn't get much love either, as many critics anointed him the worst possible choice for the elusive comic book character. The movie's accused of being a cheesy rip-off of "The Matrix" muddled with a tinge of "The Exorcist."

You know what? These critics can suck it.

This is the third time I've watched "Constantine," and I have to defend it! I seriously cannot think of any particular thing that makes this movie unwatchable. One RT critic claimed that it was "difficult to understand what Constantine is about[...]" Really, guy? It's not that hard to figure out: John Constantine has the ability to see and interact with demons, thus also having the ability to rid our world of them if necessary. Simple.

Richard Roeper exclaimed, "it's just so awful." What's so awful about it? It's a movie based on a comic, you asshole. Were you expecting an Oscar-worthy script? My gosh! For what it was meant to be, "Constantine" is a near-perfect movie. Keanu was perfectly cast - his natural stoicism and reluctance fit in with the John Constantine of the Vertigo series. Rachel Weisz was a great addition, as an actress who does very well against a male lead thanks to her subtle beauty and believability. And let's not forget about Peter Stormare and Tilda Swinton, who were dead-on as Satan and Gabriel. Also, on that note, it was very clever of Francis Lawrence to cast Swinton as the angel Gabriel - aren't angels supposed to be androgynous anyway?

The special effects were elaborate and cheesy at times, yes, but this is Constantine! He goes to hell and back battling demons and the son of Satan! Are critics really going to knock Lawrence for not making it look "real" enough? Knowing what some of these critics have to say about such awesome films, I wouldn't be surprised if they themselves made a trip or two to hell and sold teir souls to Satan for that extra $10,000 a year.

Here's what I want to get across to everyone: comic books have a made a huge comeback in the theater. The majority of these movies have been absolute crap - "Hellboy," "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "Spawn," "Jonah Hex," "The Punisher," "Superman Returns," etc. You can't honestly watch "Constantine" and believe that it belongs in this group of shitty-Mcshit-shit, can you?

"Constantine" is majorly badass. The movie did his character justice, and introduced a fresh perspective on the age-long battle for souls between God and Satan. The effects were awesome, the cast was fitting, and the overall mood of the movie gets you in the mood to kick some demon ass. I'm loving this movie.