Constantine (7/19/2005)

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Starring Keanu Reeves and Rachael Weitz

Every once in a while a movie hits the theatre that might catalyst some questions from kids about God or spiritual issues. Constantine is one of those films. It focuses on the paranormal . . . but misses the mark.

Constantine had a few good moments . . . but then the whole film went to Hell. Yes . . . literally.

Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer, Constantine tells the story of irreverent, supernatural detective John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), who has literally been to Hell and back. It’s Blade meets The Exorcist. That’s right. Look out Wesley Snipes, this guy is walking around earth killing (or sending back) “half breeds,” demons or angels who have assumed human form and are “upsetting the balance.”

The action starts strong with quite a few scary moments that make you jump out of your seat. But after a short time you quickly realize that you’re just watching Keanu Reeves doing the same role again . . . and you long for the good ol’ days of Bill and Ted.

Constantine had some creative story ideas . . . if they were original. The angel Gabriel is meddling with “the balance” and “Satan” has to save the day. I guess that seems novel . . . if you didn’t see Christopher Walken do the same thing in 1995’s The Prophecy, complete with a very convincing Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer.

Regardless, Constantine might do well. This generation is fascinated with the spiritual, and they like good action and violence. So this film might deliver what they want, not bothering with details like dialogue or storyline. And don’t forget this generation’s favorite element, a hero with a bad attitude and some serious personal issues. The film-makers provide plenty of amusing one-liners from Keanu Reeves including a moment where his body is being pulled into heaven and he flips the bird to Satan on the way up.

But the film fell short. It neglected to deliver on many of the expectations created early in the film. For example: a major character from the beginning of the film, one that seemed the focus of the entire story, turns out to be no one important at all. That plot point just dissolved into the confusion of the mediocre finale. Perhaps they ran out of budget or time and that’s why the script just . . . went to Hell.

And don’t forget an important rule: don’t kill off all the likable characters. I won’t spoil the film by listing them, but I have to voice my objection to killing off one of the best actors on the set, the eyeball shaking Pruitt Taylor Vince. Watch this actor. His career was launched by his small roll in Mississippi Burning and we’re starting to see him in more and more films of late (Monster, Identity). He’s always fantastic.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Let’s put it this way. Would you show your kids The Exorcist? Skip this one.

I wouldn’t recommend it to teenagers either. There’s nothing positive about the film. The lead character has a terrible attitude (which, of course, makes the audience cheer. So it’s a great medium for teaching our young that bad attitudes are a good thing!), and the theology is about as accurate as a religious Scorsese film. The characters in the movie actually look up some passages in Corinthians from a version with more chapters . . . chapters that we don’t have in our Bible. Oh no! And to think, for all these years I’ve believed the one on my shelf!

If teenagers do ask about the film (because they will see it), the best response to the film is simply, “I’m sure glad it ain’t like that!” The film basically teaches that John Constantine was trying to earn his way back to heaven because he did the unpardonable sin: suicide. So he wasn’t welcome in heaven and was trying to “earn” his way back in.

How comforting it is to know that this is far from the truth. Our “salvation” isn’t earned. It’s a gift from God. The Apostle Paul clarifies this in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

“God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

So poor John Constantine didn’t need to worry about earning God’s favor. He should have just dumped the attitude and put his faith truly in Jesus, becoming more like Him. After all:

1 John 5:11-12 (NLT)
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.

STUDY GUIDE: Yes, there’s a study guide. Feel free to check it out. And, of course, use your own discretion. (CLICK HERE)

Side Note:
As said above, we recommend you skip this film. But on the occasion that your teen actually has already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

1. What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
2. How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
3. How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?