Constantine 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Directed by Francis Lawrence in his directorial debut and written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello from a story by Brodbin, Constantine is a 2005 supernatural action film that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and noir, loosely based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Comics Hellblazer graphic novels series. Starring Keanu Reeves (The Matrix quadrilogy) in the titular role, the film takes viewers on a dark, visually striking journey through a world where heaven and hell collide in modern-day Los Angeles.

Plot and Themes

The story follows John Constantine, a cynical exorcist and demonologist who can see and communicate with half-angels and half-demons – what he refers to as “half-breeds” — walking the Earth. Diagnosed with lung cancer due to his chain-smoking, Constantine is desperate to earn his way into heaven by sending demons back to hell. When a police detective, Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz, Disobedience), seeks his help to investigate her twin sister’s mysterious death, they uncover a larger conspiracy involving a plot by demons to overthrow the balance between heaven and hell. 

The film explores themes of redemption, faith, and the moral gray areas between good and evil. While it takes liberties with the source material, it keeps the gritty, morally complex tone of the Hellblazer comics, albeit with a more Hollywood-friendly approach.

Performances 

Keanu Reeves delivers a brooding, understated performance as Constantine, capturing the character’s world-weariness and sardonic wit. While some fans of the comics may find his portrayal less charismatic than the original John Constantine, Reeves brings a unique intensity to the role, even if Reeves lacks the punk aesthetic of The CW Arrowverse’s Matt Ryan. Rachel Weisz is solid as Angela, providing emotional depth and a strong counterpoint to Reeves’ stoic demeanor. The supporting cast, including Tilda Swinton (Asteroid City) as the androgynous angel Gabriel, Peter Stormare as a scene-stealing Lucifer, and Shia LaBeouf as Constantine’s apprentice, Chas, all add memorable moments to the action-packed film.

Visuals and Atmosphere

One of Constantine‘s strongest assets is its visual style. The film’s depiction of hellish landscapes, demonic entities, and celestial battles is both haunting and imaginative. The use of dark, muted tones and striking special effects creates a palpable sense of dread and otherworldliness. The action sequences, particularly the exorcisms and confrontations with demons, are well-choreographed and visually engaging.

Criticisms

While Constantine excels in style and atmosphere, it occasionally falters in its narrative depth and pacing. The plot can feel convoluted at times, with some underdeveloped subplots and characters. Additionally, the film’s reliance on CGI, while impressive for its time, can feel dated by modern standards. Some fans of the Hellblazer comics may also be disappointed by the deviations from the source material, particularly in the portrayal of Constantine’s personality and backstory.

The Video

According to Warner Bros., the 4K restoration of Constantine was “completed at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) and was sourced from the original camera negative. The restoration was overseen by director Francis Lawrence.” The film is presented on 4K Ultra HD in a 2.39:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) Dolby Vision encodement with HDR10 metadata, showing a MaxLL of 728 nits and MaxFALL of 171 nits. There is a significant increase in brightness while maintaining deep black levels, although some minor crushing may occur. For instance, Reeves’ black trench coat lapels sometimes blend into the background; however, in scenes with even slight lighting, delineation becomes evident. Overall, the extended detail, deep focus, crisp textures, and brilliant highlights position this restoration as top-tier quality.

The Audio

The Dolby Atmos mix for Constantine is dynamic and provides a substantial low-end extension with exceptional height awareness. The dialogue and score are clear, and the mix effectively balances atmospheric elements with robust effects distributed throughout the room. This mix features prominent low-frequency effects, which will appeal to bass enthusiasts.

The Supplements

There is only one new extra included with this release, a new featurette that brings back some cast and crew for interviews, including Keanu Reeves. Otherwise, there is a selection of previously available bonus features including two audio commentaries

Bonus Features:

• Movies Anywhere Digital Code
• Commentaries:
  • Commentary with director Francis Lawrence and producer Akiva Goodman
  • Commentary with writers Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello
• Two Decades of Damnation (1080p; 00:15:03) (NEW)
• Channeling Constantine (1080p; 00:08:01)
• Conjuring Constantine (1080p; 00:15:44)
• Director’s Confessional (1080p; 00:05:36)
• Collision with Evil (1080p; 00:04:40)
• Holy Relics (1080p; 00:08:22)
• Shotgun Shootout (1080p; 00:02:04)
• Hellscape (1080p; 00:12:00)
• Visualizing Vermin (1080p; 00:09:37)
• Warrior Wings (1080p; 00:03:19)
• Unholy Abduction (1080p; 00:05:47)
• Demon Face (1080p; 00:02:01)
• Constantine’s Cosmology (1080p; 00:05:22)
• Foresight: The Power of Pre-Visualization (1080p; 00:13:56)
• A Writer’s Vision (1080p; 00:01:19)
• Deleted Scenes + Alternate Ending (1080p; 00:18:44)

The Final Assessment

Constantine is a visually stunning and entertaining entry into the supernatural action genre. While it may not fully satisfy die-hard fans of the Hellblazer comics, it stands on its own as a stylish and engaging film. Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the tormented antihero, combined with the film’s dark atmosphere and imaginative visuals, makes it a memorable watch. Despite its flaws, Constantine remains a cult favorite and a compelling exploration of the battle between heaven and hell. This 4K restoration from Warner Bros. is top-notch and highly recommended.

Constantine is out on 4K Ultra HD + Digital January 18, 2025 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

• Rating Certificate: R (for violence and demonic images)
• Studios & Distributors: Warner Bros. | Village Roadshow Pictures | DC Comics | Lonely Film Productions GmbH & Co. KG. | Donners’ Company | Batfilm Productions | Weed Road Pictures | 3 Arts Entertainment | Di Bonaventura Pictures | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
• Director: Francis Lawrence
• Written By: Jamie Delano | Garth Ennis | Kevin Brodbin
• Run Time: 121 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
  • HDR10 Metadata:
  • MaxLL: 728 nits
  • MaxFALL: 171 nits
  • Max. Luminance: 1000 nits
  • Min. Luminance: 0.0001 nits
• Primary Audio: English Doby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible)
• Secondary Audio: French (Québecois) DD 5.1 | French DD 5.1 | German DD 5.1 | Italian DD 5.1 | Spanish (Castilian) DD 5.1 | Spanish (Latino) DD 2.0
• Subtitles: English SDH | French | German SDH | Italian SDH | Spanish (Castilian) | Dutch | Chinese | Korean | Spanish (Latino) | Danish | Finnish | Norwegian | Swedish