My Constantine Review
I got a chance to see this eagerly anticipated film today. After the build up that I've given myself, was it worth the wait? What did they change in the cutting room? How did the music fit in with the mood of the film? Read more only if you've seen the film, or can stand to read spoilers!
Also, check out this thread at VFXTalk to ask the compositing leads your questions about the film!
I'm unsure as to how to gather my thoughts and project them into writing. I guess I'll start off with the actors. Both Keanu and Rachel did very well, and Keanu pulled off a role that didn't relate too much to his Neo character. I was looking for that throughout the film, but he handled the role of the protagonist fairly well. While comic book fans will still be disappointed that Constantine is not a British blonde, Keanu did fit the role. Rachel was good as well as a detective. She didn't over play the part. The other characters were just as exciting, in terms of supporting roles.. Everyone seemed to be cast perfectly.
The plot was interesting. The movie did drag on for two hours, and I was patiently waiting for the next scene to hurry up and happen. I was also waiting for the same thing when I watched Revolutions and Hellboy. I guess I've grown accustomed to seeing the visual effects beforehand, and giving them a cursory once over in the theatre.
To give you an idea of the work I accomplished on the show, I'll list the sequences, starting from the beginning of the shots I completed. I won't show images, you'll have to wait till the movie comes out on DVD first! In the beginning exorcism sequence, I composited four shots of the demon in the mirror, two of them occurring in the bedroom, one of the demon ejecting from the room out the window, and one as the demon falls and the mirror shatters. During the Hell Freeway sequence, I completed two shots, one of Isabel as she falls and a demon catchs her, and the last shot of the sequence where Keanu grabs the bracelet (on the covers of several magazines). In the Seplavites Attack sequence I composited three shots, two of them with the winged demon full-frame, and the shot of the demons flying away and exploding. During the Vermin Man sequence, where Keanu gets attacked by a demon made entirely of bugs and critters, I completed six shots, ranging from close up critters on his hands to wide shot of Keanu pushing through a swarm and crossing traffic. Those are the major shots I completed. I also finished some simple shots, several of them occurring in the Ravenscar Hospital hydrotherapy room.
Overall, because I've seen most of the effects before, and the subject matter didn't really entice me (religion, demons and angels and the occult), I'm giving this film a 6 out of 10.
Be sure to visit VFXTalk to post a question to the leads about the show! I'm sure they'll be able to answer questions that I'm not capable of answering.
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