We saw the Crabbs this weekend, and Crabb and I used the time to go see a movie our wives would never dare see: Constantine. Now for some reason I'm still trying to figure out why I like Keanu Reeves. Call me crazy but he's just this bad actor that strikes the nail on the head for me. I won't ever say he's a Hanks, Pacino, or Ernest Borgnine but he's dang good in what he does... for the most part.
The whole movie I was squirming a bit because with a movie that is about heaven and hell and in a very real sense salvation, one wrong step can send you down the blasephamous road. I don't think this movie was blasephemous, well I mean it was wrong, and heretical as all get out, but as a work of fiction I thought it was good story. I don't know, you can debate that more if you want to.
The plot was one that has sort of been done, a rogue Angel thinks God is being too gracious and takes the matter into their own hands. Now that might sound pretty bad, but through the story you do see some interesting takes on Christianity. For instance, Keanu's character has been condemmed to hell, predestined in a way. Though he knows this fact, he hopes by sending demons to hell he can buy his way into heaven, even though the angel Gabriel explains to him that it is not by our works that we go to heaven. Constantine (keanu) says he knows this, and Gabriel retorts, "Yes but you don't believe." The movie portrays the truth that its not by works but by faith that we are saved and that was a pretty good little beacon of truth in the movie. That and holy golden "brass" knuckles give one mean knuckle sandwich to demons. Overall, Crabb and I were disappointed with the weapons as they were kind of hokie. They could have pulled a more historical approach to the weapons and said, "This sword is the ancient sword that was used by Peter to cut off the ear of the soldier and can smite any demon..." They did that with a few of the weapons but I don't recall any legends of the "Holy Brass Knuckle." Also I was sort of disappointed with the lack of a good old fight scene. I guess coming off the Matrix's I was expecting a decent good vs evil fight scene.
Overall the movie had an interesting plot and some bits of common grace. Some might find it blasephmous though it could be argued either way. I respected the fact God was never portrayed in the movie, which to me kind of steers it away from the B word. But overall the movie was interesting, and it challenges you as a Christian to really engage the movie and see what its being said and question the movie. If anything its a movie, like the Matrix, that can be disected on a few levels.
My personal favorite Keanu movie was The Devil's Advocate. Creepy! And Pacino was great in it also.
But you proabably liked A Walk in the Clouds, huh?
Posted by: Retroed at October 27, 2005 01:29 PM