when the comic book movie dialogue is actually realistic
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2024
- #constantine #keanureeves #videoessay
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Constantine, starring a mid-Matrix Keanu Reeves, is one of the most often neglected comic book movies pretty much ever. It was an odd adaptation of its Hellblazer source material, and it received pretty mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike when it releases back in 2005. That was all a surprise to me, as someone who's watched the movie regularly since I was a kid. In fact, every time I watch Constantine, I seem to find something new to love about it. So today, I want to look at one of my favorite aspects of the movie: the way Constantine, a $100M comic book movie, handles its exposition, dialogue, and world building.
Written & edited by Danny Boyd 
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There’s quite a lot more I could say about Constantine and the manner in which the movie was put together. If this video and this topic gets a strong enough reception, I may consider following it up with a second part sometime soon. Leave a like on this comment if that’s something that might be of interest to you.
And a huge thanks again to Markues for the tremendous support, and the suggestion! If you’re not already a Patron and would like to be, you can support me directly at www.patreon.com/CinemaStix
CinemaStix is a 100% independent film analysis channel owned and operated entirely by me. So every contribution goes a very long way in making this work possible.
:)
Danny Boyd
Yes please! I've never watched it so gonna watch it next week, would be nice to get another video about this! P.s. any updates on the newsletter that tells us which movie is coming next?
Please! Saw this when it came out and dismissed it (was big fan of SWAMP THING/CON. comics). Re-watched a few years back and it was a revelation. REALLY good film for re-examination by people, I think.
please danny! this movie/graphic novels has been so important to me for so long! would listen to you for hours talk about hellblazer
Would love to see you talk about this hidden gem more!
oh please please make a part 2. I have loved this movie ever since I watched it and would love to hear more about it
The idea of this film being a sequel to a movie nobody saw, and making the audience reach for it rather than it reaching for them really resonates with me.
The first part of your sentence literally is what I think the DCEU should of done with some of their IPs. Maybe this approach would of saved a lot on unnecessary exposition and fluff.
which movie? ik its prolly in the video but ive never watched this film so i wanna watch it first
@ysmg1061 there is no first movie. The video talks about how they could have made the same boring origin story about how he gets his powers, how he meets the other characters etc etc. But they don't.
It's more like watching The Dark Knight if they had never made Batman Begins(if that makes sense).
Everything that needs to be explained gets explained, but it doesn't stretch the explaining part out.
ooohh thank you sm, hyped to watch it@@locusofintent
@@finaljustice3848 Batman in particular. It's been done dozens of times and nearly every time we gotta see Bruce's parents get killed in the alleyway. At this point you'd have to have been living under a rock your entire life not to know Batman's origin story, even as a non DC fan. Uncle Ben is a close second.
I love the fact that Keanu has always been this movie's #1 supporter and cheerleader. His SDCC panel where he remembers EVERY cast and crew member's name shows that he absolutely loved working on this project. While I hold some slight reservations about smaller details, none of them have to do with straying from the source material. If anything, I appreciated that.
The fact that, even with all of his support and the outcry from fans, reboot-hungry producers STILL refuse to make a sequel is honestly shocking to me. That said, I think it's better on it's own.
@@AndrewPRoberts Because Hellblazer sadly doesn't hold "mass appeal". You can't put him on a lunchbox or market him to kids. Despite almost all the MCU movies being PG-13, there's enough cross appeal for McDonald's tie ins. It sucks.
@@ZyxthePest its not like DC was trying to have mass appeal, with it's even darker and grittier Batman, R-rated Joker and 4 hour director's cut.
@@mandarinduck That's a good point. Though, I feel like Batman and Joker are big enough characters to take a risk on, just due to name recognition.
On the flip side Marcel has Deadpool. So it’s not like there isn’t a precedence for rebooting Constantine. I think it would work even better now that Keanu is older.
For the longest time, Constantine felt like a ‘cult classic’ or a ‘guilty pleasure’, but the more I watch it, the more I realize it was just an honestly great movie that simply missed fame.
And the cast…*chef’s kiss*.
Very few pieces of media, especially for beginner or unfamiliar audiences can world build so that it that draws you in and implies so much more without being confusing or holding your hand through it.
ya dude, it's just kino af. wonder if the sequel will be any good
Cult classics usually are good movies tho? It’s pretty uncommon for weird, interesting things to get popular so I’m not sure about that metric.
This movie is dear to me, because it's my Los Angeles. It feels like someone who really lived here. It was stuff that didn't feel right , in my city when I was a kid. the bowling ally that shouldn't be there. The emptiness of downtown at night.
I feel the same about Hellboy 2
@@dumbumbumbum8649 For me, a cult movie is one that’s bad, but is enjoyable anyway. Like The Covenant is a terrible movie, but I love it anyway, it’s a cult classic for me.
That you can make such a great discussion about Constantine without even getting to Peter Stormare's amazing scene is itself high praise for the rest of the film.
I was kinda thinking that exact thing when I finished my script and realized I hadn’t even touched on him, or Swinton. One of the many reasons why I hope this won’t be my last video on the movie.
pls dont let it be lol. this movie doesnt get enough attention in my opinion.@@CinemaStix
@@CinemaStix I was going to bring up Swinton and Rossdale. The way Swinton says "No, no, you _know,_ and there's a difference" in her first scene, and her silent first reaction to pain. Rossdale's "Word is you're on your way down. Fresh meat. Ssssss, finger lickin' good!" Great performances throughout the cast.
@@CinemaStixyou should do a "why audiences gravitate to villains video" or something like that
@@CinemaStix Swinton and Stormare absolutely slay it as Gabriel and Lucifer the brief few minutes they're on screen. Probably two of the most underappreciated supporting actor performances.
same reason why i love ghibli movies. they dont explain all the rules of their world which just makes it more magical and engaging
That same reason is probably why I'm lukewarm on Ghibli.
Some people can't deal with that and have to have everything laid out for them without mystery.
Simpletons is what they're commonly known as.
@@fuckamericanidiot Or the exact opposite problem: that by not explaining enough, the viewer is distracted trying to figure out all the things that aren't explained. They end up down in the weeds trying to solve mysteries that don't actually have explanations because they're just window dressing. Maybe that's just an ADHD thing?
@@jliller
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
I think Ghibli movies get a bit too carried away with not explaining anything at all, so ultimately you're still left not knowing the rules and you're just along for the ride.
The actor who plays Lucifer is brilliant in this movie. The line "busy, busy, busy, I need a vacation." is so good. Like, the Devil has problems keeping his empire together and it is a pain in the ass to have Constantine screwing up his plans. Also, the little dance when he thinks he has Constintine's soul is pretty good. I actually use that when I get my way sometimes. Also, interesting is that Keanu said this is the one movie he would like to remake.
Peter Stormare. A gem in any movie that's lucky enough to cast him.
And we saw how his vacation might be on Lucifer tv series. Its so nice to sometimes connect different projects by common threads :)
Not as good as comic Lucifer though thats my gribe 😉
I absolutely adored that one of Constantine's problems gets solved not by him being clever, but because this Devil is so absolutely PETTY that he can't bear the thought of losing.
Not remake, make a sequel.
I always wondered why I liked that movie so much and seemingly no critics did.
You hit the nail on the head. There's nothing I hate more than a story treating viewers/readers like morons that need every little thing spelled out to them constantly. Constantine puts you in the story, lets you get most things by context, and just ignores the rest. It makes it feel real.
Nothing worse than the buddy cop scenes where they stand in a circle and talk through the whole crime in turn finishing each other sentences. That doesn't happen in real life, but the writers either aren't creative enough to present the information naturally or think viewers are too stupid.
Except the wire where Bunk and McNulty investigate a crime scene and only ever say the word fuck.
It's because it has to be for the idiot masses, studios care more about what focus groups think.
9:01 the diner scene is an explainer, but it's Constantine explaining stuff in a setting that makes sense and doesn't seem forced.
I rewatched this recently and was suprised how well the effects hold up. I think you hit the nail on the head and it's that blend of practical/miniatures that make it hold up like LOTR
I did the same with the Matrix trilogy recently. We are at a point where we "could" have totally photorealistic CGI. The problem is that instead of doing that, they studios, as usual, went for quantity over quality. Quality in CGI has barely moved in about 10 years now because they absolutely drench those films in it nowadays. Films like the Matrix LoTR, Constantine, were carefully planned and executed. Nowadays they remake the entire film in post just like that ridiculous Radioactive man episode of the Simpsons. And it fucking shows.
I stand by the view that practical effects are usually better if you can manage it. CGI should be an enhancement first, and the main tool only when the practical effect is impossible or too lethal to try. They've just about reversed that with marvel stuff these days. When I found out the time travel suits were CGI just because they couldn't decide on a design...a little part of me died. Like what a total waste of special effects.
You should watch benicio del toros movies. He made a career out of phenomenal story telling and practical effects
@@IshtarNike Should be noted that both Constantine and The Matrix sequels had the VFX produced by the same company, ESC, which was created originally to produce the VFX for The Matrix 2 and 3.
Ironically, the SW prequel movies had more practical effects in each prequel movie than the entire original trilogy. It had real sets, tons of miniatures, but people thought it had "too much CGI," which is pure nonsense. It also used matte paintings, real liquid flows, then CGI touch-ups on the practical effects. They would use a clip of a set covered in green material as their supreme evidence whilst ignoring the mountains of full sets, miniatures, practical effects, etc.
The irony comes in when people say a scene that used real practical effects "look bad" because they think it is 100% CGI. This just exposes that people jump on a bandwagon and have no idea what is good or bad, as evident by the fact that they claim the actual practical effects they are witnessing are bad because of they mistakenly believe it to be pure CGI. But if the notion that it is practical effects is programmed into their head, they will claim it is good, even if it is CGI they are witnessing.
2:31 I love that kind of exposition. I hate it when movies tell me EVERYTHING... Leave something for me to figure out (or even dream about) on my own.
Especially when it comes to magic a lot of stuff just doesn't need to be explained. My go to example for this is medichlorians in the prequel star wars movie, that harmed the force as a magic system.
@@xipheonjthat ended the whole Franchise for me. It said: no we're not doing moral mysticism any more.
@@stevecarter8810No, I don't think them adding midichlorians actually says that… Many, like yourself, may have interpreted it that way, but, to my mind, the concept of Science and Mysticism being mutually exclusive and therefor incompatible is too shallow a viewpoint and therefor… Less than ideal… In both fiction and philosophizing about what might exist that's not physical in reality. My line of thinking is that the midichlorians in Star Wars are how the characters are able to interact with The Force, and _that's it._ Just because most characters in the series need a symbiotic microbe to use the series's mystical energy field, it doesn't necessarily change anything else about the energy field itself, and it can still function thematically as "moral mysticism", just with a certain biological requirement for a character to be able to _do_ anything with it.
@@GabrielusPrime agreed. The tricky thing with a ‘moral mysticism’ route is that you wonder why some people can’t use the force, or how it is that being bad doesn’t make you less force-capable.
Han turning good by joining the rebellion doesn’t give him force powers.
Vader turning bad doesn’t take away his force powers.
So why don’t morally grey characters have any force powers? Why is Anikan/Luke more important than others, before he’s even been trained?
Midi-colorians answer these questions.
@@GabrielusPrime I disagree. I don't think magic/science has to be separate to be interesting. Not philosophically or in principal. Some of my favorite sci fi makes that blend.
But just the way it was handled in Ep1 was just terribly bad. It was like the background lore for jedi changed from 'tibetian monk stuff' to 'scientology', and it went over like a wet noodle with audiences. Honestly though, there were MANY things wrong with that movie. So midichlorians didn't kill the franchise by themselves.
Lucas is very creative, but can't make a good movie without producers who will tell him "no, that part is dumb, rewrite that part". He got big, nobody would tell him no anymore, and his work suffered greatly.
And Disney, just doesn't make good movies at all these days.
I would love to get a sequel of this. I feel Constantine marks the tail end of the gothic fantasy/SF movies of the 90's -2000's started by The Crow, including their relationship with the then-popular alt rock/ nu metal scene (like the final credit song "Passive" by A Perfect Circle and the fact that Francis Lawrence was a music video director before Cnstantine).
"Matter of Fact" describes Keanu Reeves typical acting style, pretty spot on...
To be honest, I was one of those purists who decry how the movie is "unfaithful" to the source material, right down to John NOT being a British person. But funny thing about time; nearly twenty years have passed and it's wild this movie is reevaluated for it's positives, more so than just being "unfaithful".
Thank you so much for the video.
indeed, and even as matt ryan was a more "picture perfect" depiction of Constantine, reeve's depiction really did still hit certain notes of the character correctly
I know Keanu didn't play the Hellblazer, but even so, I've come to prefer the movie version. He's not blonde, not Brit, and has a very different flavor of sarcasm and wit, but I think Keanu managed that oldest acting trick: Taking an established character and making them anew.
Ummm. Have you HEARD Reeves' 'British accent' in B.S. Dracula? There was NO other call to make.
If an artist, be it a director, writer, or actor doesn't put their own interpretation into the adaptation of the work then what's the point of doing it? You can love or hate it, but it should be different than the original.
This is not a good hellrazer movie, but, it's a fantástica Constantine movie.
The scene towards the end when he flicks off Lucifer was so cool! I rewatched that scene many times when I was a kid.
Keanu has such a funny, even cute way of giving the middle finger. 😂
I screenshoted the exact scene and had it as my wallpaper
I remember thinking nooooooooooooo when he gave the finger.
Peter Stormare is amazing as Satan.
Are you still a kid? Mentally, primarily. Cause you sound like one.
Honestly Constantine is completely underrated. And as far as him not being british whatever. I like that he is keanu. To me he will always be Keanu. And thats that.
me too. Still the definite article.
That's sort of the only thing that kept the og fans to not go and watch it in theatres. Constantine is Blonde, British, and has a Dark humorous attitude. But if you get past that, it's a fun ride, to the end.
@@johnnk3256 yeah well im sure there was other factors other than the 5 of you! tehe
@@purefoldnz3070 yeah dude when he is acting like he is giving that demon his last rights. That is pretty funny.
I 52nd this statement
I saw this in the theaters, it was very cinematic, it checked all the marks. I was in my late teens, and not old enough to appreciate it fully. Now I'm 40, It really holds up IMO.
2:04 En Media Res storytelling is my absolute favourite. Worlds feel so much more believable if events and interactions are presented as just another blip in a long-running timeline of personal interactions. It's why in my own writing, I like to have characters reference events that they have experienced that we as a reader aren't privy to. Because that's how people are. We are always using our past to contextualise our present. And that present can't be contextualised without a past to back it up. This movie is great because it feels like a small glimpse into a life already in motion.
Agreed - my favourite literary example being The Odyssey, which itself has similar contextualising techniques like those in Constantine; as well, there’s Hamlet. Quick note, though: It’s ‘in medias res’ - not en media res - from the Latin “into the middle of things” (first used by Horace in his exegesis on the art of poetry, Ars Poetica, itself a Latin phrase for “poetic arts”) rather than a French, romantically derived en. Similar but different 🙂
Also it just makes the story feel more real by using en media res. Whenever we have an ideological conflict with someone, we’re always using our pasts (even the briefest of interactions) as an anecdote to why we presently believe the things we believe in.
I love it when it's done right, but you have to be careful about how to use it. A really bad example is Attack of the Clones. George Lucas never really show us what makes Anakin and Obi-Wan "like brothers", but he tries to tell us by having the characters quip about previous adventures. That is a case where I think it would have been more impactful for us to meet the characters in the events, rather than meeting them retelling the event.
@@pontusoskarsson7322 That’s actually something prevalent in most of the Lucas era movies. An example is Empire Strikes Back where Han talks about the bounty hunter they ran into on Ord Mantell. Other than that Empire is the PERFECT gold standard for how to do a film sequel.
I just recently watched Kevin Smith's cut of Mallrats. It has this whole C plot that turns the first 20 minutes of the film into set-up for very little payoff. Instead for the theatrical cut they got rid of all of that footage but left in some references to the events in later scenes. What this does is create the feeling that this world exists outside of the movie and like things happened even before we started watching and they're never explained because everyone in this world knows what happened. It made Mallrats such a better movie.
Constantine is one of my favorites. This video absolutely nails something I had not really been able to put into words, but I've always liked movies that don't spoonfeed everything to the audience. There are so many ways to convey themes and ideas and setting, like through framing and color, through the music, etc. Constantine is one of the best at this. It allows the audience to fill in the gaps unless something explicitly needs exposition, and as the video described, it always introduced every concept in practice BEFORE throwing exposition. It showed before it told, and it only told when the details would be important later. There is a concept that exists in the best detective fiction that has a parallel in video game design, specifically with puzzle games. You want to guide the player to the correct conclusion while allowing the player to feel clever. You need just enough information to be missing that the throughline is easy to follow, but allowing the viewer/player to fill in gaps and give a sense of events unfolding, bestowing agency to the audience. Obviously, you need to give much more agency in a video game, but the overall effect should be similar.
What an absolutely fantastic yet underrated film. Tilda Swinton as Gabriel was an inspired choice, and using the literary tool of "show not tell" is perfectly used.
I missed this one when it came out. I've always known it was "good" in the way I'd appreciate, but I never had a real reason to go seeking it out. Now having specifics, I cannot wait to watch it soon. Thanks for the thoughtful video, as always!
Be sure to report back!
@@CinemaStix gotta get that engagement! (i will)
Oh, enjoy. This has always been a great movie and this review is hitting it right on: The movie’s not pedantic; it expects you to figure some stuff out.
I remember g4 literally had a block just dedicated to airing the Constantine commercial for it coming out on dvd. Still didnt watch it lol.
Same! I'll watch the movie tinight and the cinemastix video after, don't want to get spoiled. I love their movie suggestions
You pack so much into these short videos considering how relaxed their pacing is. I've been loving the varied breakdowns, really really enjoyable.
I’m so glad! I won’t lie though, getting them down to size ain’t easy. I keep strict word limits when writing that will leave adequate space for clips and interviews and music changes and all that, and even then I often find myself cutting sentences out and moving things around at the last minute during the final edit. It can be a very interesting process.
I've said this before to other content creators that Quality is key. Although different creators have their style and goals, subjects can vary greatly. If one video is 11 minutes and the next is 17... don't fixate on time. Just quality. @@CinemaStix
@@CinemaStix Reminds me of a quote attributed to some famous person I can't recall: "I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have the time."
It truly is a skilled art to be both complete and concise, and it doesn't always receive the appreciation it deserves.
Started to watch this video and realised from your initial intro that I should probably give it a watch. Pause your video... streamed the movie... came back to finish yours without any spoilers. Thanks for the prompt.
That’s what I like to hear :)
-Danny
im a huge fan of the source material but something about keanus Constantine just always draws me in. it was such a well done unique take on a character without being too far removed to be enjoyed.
I used to hate this movie as I was a sucker for the Hellblazer comics but once I gave the movie justice by giving it a proper rewatch, I realised how wrong I was. I appreciate this movie so much more now.
@@primenumberbuster404 im generally a stickler when it comes to adaptations of stuff i like but like i said above, this is a good reimagining if you will. i look at it like an elseworlds story. or marvels what if
I agree. The Noir of this alone draws you in and the dialog, world building, sets, lighting and Casting. All on point. I can watch this movie over and over. Also, the ingenuity in props is awesome.
Every time I come back and watch a new video here, I'm reminded of the professionalism and passion poured into these. It's a much needed breath of fresh air within this RUclips scene.
One of my favorite movies, flawed, but the highs are so good they tend to plaster over the imperfections.
Possible video idea, I think this movie contains one of the best portrayals of Lucifer in cinema. From entrance to exit, Peter Stormare's performance along with dialogue and imagery...chef's kiss.
Busybusybusybusy
Agreed. Peter's performance was perfect.
The costume is the best part for me. Apparently they planned for a more "badass" leather look, but Peter Stormare pushed for the simple white suit and tarred feet.
Totally agree! Stormare is a great mix of creepy and a little silly. His presence on screen is fantastic!
The cinematography in this movie is insanely gorgeous.
Constantine is actually the film that got me interested in comics which is funny considering that the film was nothing like Hellblazer.
But it’s still one of my favorite films and one I think more people should give a chance to.
One of my favorite things about this movie is how much quiet time there is. It helps oull you in more.
I've loved this film since forever, but your vid has given me an entirely new way to think about it. I got so caught up on the visuals and acting that I never really thought about the way the story is structured. Absolutely fascinating!
To be honest, your presentation of the deeper nuances of the movie... amazing. Your insights are immaculate. I rewatched this movie so many times and I thought it was Keanus best work, and now you have explained why.
I always loved this movie, every performance is terrific, the world-building and effects were great, and the cinematography and direction were so eerie and static for most of the film, it added so much. And hearing Keanu say that this character is the one he wants to revisit most just shows how much he loved playing him and how much Is left to tell.
Will always be one of my personal favorite films, and not just in the comic-book-adaptation space. Proof that not everything has to be entirely source-material-accurate to be good/great if you know what you're doing. Underrated AF!
A movie all set in the middle, as he says. Where everyone already knows everyone.
That's your basic film noir and I LOVE when movies do that!
Constantine is one of my favourite movies, and it’s great to revisit every now and then. So happy to see it getting some love and appreciation.
Additionally, the film doesn’t treat you like a child and allows you to put things together without holding your hand constantly.
This and Watchmen are THE best movie adaptations I've ever seen. Really loved every second of them.
How?
Scott Pilgrim.
@@idontevenlikemoney ew
@@shadowofbosstownby not being picky and jaded
so true! i would also throw hellboy in there! they aren’t 100% faithful, but i think it’s impossible to be 100% faithful to a comic! the best form for the story is a comic book, so things have to change to make sense in film
This was my first literally me movie. It's such an entertaining film.
Thank you. I watched this movie a couple of times shortly after its release. With your work, I now better understand why I enjoyed it as much as I did, and it explains why this movie felt so different from many others. Your insights and editing keep me coming back for more. I'm going to rewatch Constantine, this time with my college student daughter. I'm sure she's never seen it. I'll give her an outline of your points beforehand to enhance her appreciation. Then, after watching the movie, we'll watch your video.
Yes! Yeah, I recently showed it to a friend of mine who hadn’t seen it, and I mentioned a few things beforehand as well, about the exposition and stuff. And then as we were watching he kept pausing and being like “woooow, that part was really, really well done.”
I’ve always loved this film, and have found it endlessly rewatchable. I never understood why it was so critically savaged, and so overlooked by the very fan base that cries out for exactly this type of film. Thanks for putting what previously was the film’s ineffable appeal for me into words.
episode 203829 of a guy talking about a film I have never seen and now I inexplicably need to watch
Thank you for telling this to us, we already was wondering what the main character in this world need to do.
You won't regret it, love this one.
@@Zodroo_Tint”but stan why are you so mad?”
I like that form of story telling WAY better, show first and subtly explain later.
If that happened more often it'll train the audience to think and guess more on what they see.
I've also rewatched this movie many times over the years and I agree, it does get better every time. The scene with the Devil at the ending was one of my favorite movie scenes and I Love the actor and the take on the devil. Their interaction is awesome and epic.
"...but one that can also create a more profound love between film and viewer when that connection is achieved."
You've put into words exactly how I feel about this movie. Because the audience is allowed to figure out the world through observation rather than explanation, there's a feeling of being "in on it" that most films just don't have. I think it helps us connect to Angela as well. Rather than being an audience proxy from the beginning and learning at the same time, we get to see her go through the discovery process after us. It's almost like showing a favorite movie to a friend, a feeling of excitement to see how she'll react to the information we just learned and reacted to ourselves. Like gentle hazing almost, it endears her to us in a way that learning with her wouldn't have.
I absolutely love the movie Constantine. It was great the first few watches, then hearing the commentary track completely opened my mind to the movie's subtleties. Please do more video essays on Constantine, I'd watch a whole series of them! It's such an underappreciated gem imo, I never hear other people talk about it. Subscribing in the hopes it'll help encourage more on this subject!
Constantine is so underrated, BEST Keanu character, even better than Neo.
I've loved this film for a very long time, mostly because I'm a sucker for dark subject matter. The way you describe what makes the dialogue great made me realize I enjoy a movie that doesn't treat me like I'm stupid. You have to be patient and work for it.
Yeah! It’s a remarkable feat for any movie it seems. But all the more surprising and rewarding from a fun movie like this. As it happens, I’ve actually got a follow up video on Constantine coming out this Saturday.
:)
-Danny
When I first watched Constantine, I thought is was a KICK ASS movie... But subsequent times, I found it to be... 🤔... Subtly powerful in many ways, the way Keanu played the role, Rachel and her ways, and just the brilliantly directed scenes in general... Been a coupla years, think I'm gonna play it again tonight... 😏👌
😎🇬🇧
That Lucifer entrance. *ICONIC*.
This movie is awesome. I don't know why people didn't like it.
This has been one of my favorite movies since it came out almost 20 years ago now. I've always thought it was a shame how underrated it was. I find one of your closing remarks about a more profound love between film and viewer when a connection can be made to be particularly poignant.
I just watched this movie for the first time because of your channel. Loved it. Thank you!
Whoo! I’ve got another video on it actually coming out tomorrow :) So great timing.
-Danny
I can't believe how well you analyzed this film un under 11min. Excellent video about my favorite movie of all time. Keep up the great work
never been so early on a CinemaStix video... Constantine is one of the best movies ever!
Both the self confidence of the film, to let questions hang, and it's respect for the audience, are increasingly rare. The number of films i turn off at the exposition dialogue over the opening credits.
MASTERPIECE of a movie im so glad it caught on in later years because people used to talk down on it so much when it first hit the box office.
This film is so underrated. Let keanu have his sequel!!!
At this point we need another Constantin with Keanu
I have always said that this is one of the most underrated movies. As time goes on I find myself pleased to see others agree more and more.
I have a number of those tarot cards given to me by the lead prop man from when I visited the set as lead artist on the video game, I was there on set for a few scene in the hospital too. Great movie and certainly got better with age.
As a hypothetical writer (I have thought about writing much, much more than I have written), your analysis here of how the story and presentation of Constantine were crafted makes me want to both watch it again, and try more at getting my own stories written.
Fabulous video. 💖
That he doesn't care that he's in a movie is a great insight. Great video and a great topic, I'd really appreciate more on the movie.
So glad i keep seeing love for this movie. This is one of my favorites, and it left such a big impression on me in highschool, and every time i watch it stays just as good as it ever did the first time. Thanks for the care you put into the video
I really like the idea of media you have to reach for. I feel like that describes so much of the media that I really love, and there's nothing more satisfying then that second or third watch through when all the puzzle pieces slide into place.
I remember seeing it in theater, and the film started burning during the projection. I was sure it was a visual effect!
Love how your videos cultivate a very relaxed but wondrous feel. Always quality and succinct too. Keep it up
:D
I never read the comics but fell in love with this movie the first time I watched it, because it was just so different. Great video!
So many scenes can be screenshoted at nearly anytime and are so artistic
Wow! Love watching your analysis and examinations of film and this was another BRILLIANT video ✨ Well done, would love to see more on Constantine absolutely
Thank you! And fantastic :)
Just fantastic. You sir have a gift for story telling.
It is like setup, reminder, payoff, but you do the reminder first. Brilliant.
I love this movie to bits and any sort of discussion in regards to it I WILL WATCH THEM ALLLLLL
Thank you so much for THIS!
This is the best way to make a movie with unique rules, in my opinion. It's why 'Pitch Black' works so well. And 'Alien'. We all know the list.
But I would disagre with one word. I don't think we need to 'know' the rules of the world they are creating within the move. I think we need to 'understand' them, and I think that's a difference worth noting.
Anyway, great video and great point, as always.
Started the video, realized it was about Constantine & paused it then rewatched the movie for the 50th time. Can't find a fault, read the comics when I was young, and I'm just salty that I got Hell-Boy 2 instead of Constantine 2.. not that Ron wasn't the best thing ever but damn. Honestly great video and love to know there's someone else that appreciates this film the same way I (& I'm sure plenty of overs) do, good work Stix
This wasnt a movie i considered really special until many years later when i found myself just wanting to watch it again. Its not revolutionary, it just knows what it is and is very good at being that. The creativity and execution of the effects is great for spectacle, its always interesting to look at, and the world and characters seem to have more stories to tell. My personal softness towards 90s-00s sfx blockbusters, biblical fantasy and the jaded antihero bias me, but you can see the care and skill that went into it.
It may not be one of the best films ever made but its a really satisfying one, and validating to hear your appreciation for it all the way in 2024.
Love your essays amigo. Appreciate you
Right back at you!
:)
Learn a alot about story telling from your videos bro... Just an appreciation comments... Thanks a ton...
Totally bought this for $2 at Goodwill and watched it on a $10 LG DVD Player and $30 Westinghouse LCD with my partner. We both were impressed by how this old movie holds up and looks so good in 720p. Totally agree with your analyzation!
Thank you for this. After being let down time and time again by the new trends in cinema, I'm rediscovering my love for older films, and this absolute jewel was one that I had forgot. I'll be rewatching it soon. Thanks for the reminder.
This is in my Top 5 CinemaStix episodes. What a delight.
:D
Underrated film. Thanks for the video.
Man I always love the commentary in these RUclips videos. Thanks again for what you do!
I squealed when seeing this video pop up on my feed. This movie was so underrated when it first came out, but it is actually amazing and fantastic and I'm so glad you're covering it. Just at the start of the video...but I already support a follow up.
constantine bloody rules. this is a great analysis.
I do hope we see Keanu as Constantine again. I saw this in theaters and it was as stellar as it is now. Just a great watchable movie through in through.
He wants to do it, Warner bros wont let him
Well damn. That was a masterclass on how to break down this movie. Now I need to go back and rewatch it. Thank you!
Thanks for explaining these things that make the movies special. Definitely one of my favorite movies ever. I like that it treats the audience like they’re smart enough to keep up.
I remembered when this movie came out, I loved it but then realized that comic nerds don't like it because he's not British, Blonde, or comic book accurate. The critics didn't like just because of Keanu Reeves. This was the reason they made the short-lived Constantine TV show but nobody likes that one either despite it being comic accurate. I wonder why. Now everybody likes the Keanu Reeves version. How things have changed?
I had to stop watching this video because I seem to have forgotten how great the pacing and cinematography "Constantine" had (but I was a teenager when I've last seen it) ... so time for a rewatch!
It's criminally underrated. They needed to do more of these.
Bruh! These shots are beautiful. I always have an affinity to certain films of the 2000s to the early 2010s. Although that is the worst era for cinema, they formed an aura for my upbringing, the echoes of a greater self.
I don't know a higher compliment to a piece than to say that, never having watched a single production you ever did, this made me like and subscribe and want to go through your back catalog immediately. Beautifully done and deeply appreciated by someone who has read the comics since their inception, deeply misses everything Vertigo comics, and loved the movie (and was profoundly disappointed by the TV show.)
Thank you! As it happens I’ve got yet another video on Constantine coming out a week from tomorrow :)
Despite, or perhaps in some ways even because of, how much this film departs from the source material, I've always found it really fascinating. I'm a huge fan of the Hellblazer comics and that interpretation of John Constantine and the world he exists in, but this movie managed to make something that is quite different from the comic book version in so many ways still feel true to some of the original's themes and captured the casual nature of its characters in the face of the extraordinary. It almost just feels like the film equivalent of an alternate universe one-shot of Hellblazer/Constantine that we are dropped into. And it's really fun and engaging!
Also, since it is such a strong visual motif in this movie, I would love to see some kind of video essay breakdown of the ways smoking is portrayed in notable films. It's such a strong visual, but utilized in so many different ways to different effects with different intentions. I think that would be a really cool subject for a long form film analysis video.
This follows the structure of Scene Sequel, which exposition usually providing context during the Sequel, or down time/recovery of the Scene.
This is a perfect video essay. This is the reason I subscribed to you. I love this movie and I was not consciously aware of how it influenced me as a writer and director. Thank you!
One interesting point you made was about those who will not receive an explanation until they are ready for it. This applies to metaphysics.
I saw Constantine in a San Francisco when it first released and loved it, and my appreciation only grew with each subsequent viewing.
I think it’s a credit to its approach to exposition that I never tire of watching it, as there’s no part of the movie I “don’t need to watch” because I already know the rules.
It’s been lovely seeing this movie get a reappraisal in the public eye.
Great exploration of this fascinating movie!!! Would LOVE to see more on this! And THANKS for all your work!
Your insight and analysis of the material is very high level. Your delivery style is perfect for this subject matter. The visuals are superb as well. Great presentation..