We loved the “Constantine” movie starring Keanu Reeves, though a lot of hardcore “Hellblazer” comic book fans did not care at all. (Keanu in a wrinkled suit? Tilda Swinton as an androgynous angel? Gavin Rossdale as a demon? What’s not to love?)
So, you could just imagine how much is riding on the graphic novel’s TV incarnation starring Matt Ryan as the titular character.
“Constantine” was developed for TV by men who are no strangers to adapting popular series—the show is being run by Daniel Cerone (“Motive”) and David S. Goyer (“The Dark Knight” trilogy), with the pilot episode directed by Neil Marshall (“Game of Thrones”).
Cocky attitude
The trailer is creepy and snarky enough to excite fans. The pilot, which aired last week, shows promise, even though it stumbles a bit off the gate.
John Constantine voluntarily checks into an asylum hoping to rid himself of his uncanny talent (or curse) for exorcism and fighting with demons.
The world’s No. 1 exorcist is plagued by his own inner demons, but is convinced by a message from a dead friend to put on his trench coat once again—sans the chain-smoking habit (a restriction imposed by TV network regulations)—to save another soul.
Ryan’s cocky attitude and deadpan delivery makes him a perfect “Constantine,” although we still have a soft spot for Reeves, “Hellblazer” purists be damned.
Chas is played by an older guy, and his portrayal is growing on us, though we miss Shia LeBoeuf, outbursts and all.
The soul in question is Liv Aberdine (Lucy Griffiths), a young woman marked for death by an unknown demon. Constantine reveals his connection to her father, as well as her father’s secret life as a demon-hunter.
Liv has also inherited her father’s gift for seeing beneath the surface of humans to recognize which demons lurk inside—building her up as the show’s obvious female lead. However, changes in production has her character scrapped from the show, and we are left until next week to meet the real female lead: Zed Martin (Angelica Celaya), who is seen in the last few seconds of the pilot sketching in a very meta reference to the source material.
While “Constantine” may be a worthy contender against paranormal demon shows currently airing, it sets itself apart with its truly creepy imagery (don’t watch this at night if you get scared easily).
Some effects are eerily reminiscent of movies like “The Exorcist,” so if that freaked you out, it’s safe to say that “Constantine” will also scare you out of your wits.