Constantine

[DanaC]

Just watched the first episode. Not bad at all.


I was in a seeming minority of those who loved the Keanu reeves movie. Lot of people hated it because it was so different to the comic - in particular John Constantine being American rather than English and Reeves looked nothinglike the character in the comics. But I loved it.

That said - this does feel much more like the comic in tone - and he really does look like the character.

It wasn't flawless - had its shaky moments - really wasn't over keen on the woman playing Liv Aberdeen* - but I liked its style. They've really captured that comic book feel - the visuals, the cuts to comic stills the way the scenes change. Very nice looking. And I am liking him as Constantine.

Overall - not at all bad for a pilot episode. Could go either way from here - but I'm interested to see.

Anybody else seen it?


* spoilers below

Apparently the makers weren;t overly thrilled with her either. She was supposed to be a kind of everywoman who would act as the audience's way into the show - unfortunately she was completely riodiculous - reactions totally off-kilter and never sold the part. It's a pity somuch of the first episode was about her really given her sharp exit in the end - feels like a bit of a waste. The original pilot ended with her staying with Constantine and vowing to fight against the demons - they reshot the last 15 mins to have her exit off-screen - and instead gave us a glimpse of another woman (a character who was prominent in the comic) who'll be the main female character in the show proper.

[DanaC]

Series trailer:

[Happy Monkey]

With one episode for each, I prefer Liv to the new one, who only seems to stare balefully at John.

But she'll have more time to grow, so I expect it will work out.

[DanaC]

I like that the new one has a harder edge to her. For all her smouldering/baleful stares she seems a lot less dependent on him - better written I think.

[DanaC]

Well now - the third episode really had a much more confident feel to it. I'm liking him more and more. I do think they need to find their balance between the individual weekly story and the series story arc - they're not quite there yet.

Also - a bit more characterisation for his team would be nice. But hey - early days and all that. But definitely getting stronger imo.

[DanaC]

Episode 4 clinched it for me. If they keep up that standard, I'll be a huge fan.

[BigV]

streamed eps 1 and 2, took a break. last night watched the broadcast of ep 6 (I think), liked it, and then streamed all the intervening episodes. I am fan. I definitely plays like a comic book, but the interminable commercial breaks on hulu plus are distracting. the combination of a story that can be chopped up fairly easily with so many cuts and the AVALANCHE of holiday advertising for holiday shopping... gah.

anyhow. He's gonna get his ass handed to him each week, isn't he?

[Happy Monkey]

I only know Constantine from Sandman and Books of Magic (plus Keanu's movie); I never read Hellblazer. But this seems to be a fairly accurate character portrayal, and I'm liking it. It's still feeling a bit disjointed to me, though.

I hope it gets renewed, but they haven't ordered a full season one.

[DanaC]

True but both the makers and the network have said it hasn't been axed. Apparently it was to do with where in the series airing they were at the point that renewals were ordered.

[footfootfoot]

I watched the first episode last night. I was surprised that DC would put out such an ecclesiastic comic. I had no idea what it was about - just dove right in. There were some parts of it that I really liked, I didn't think the girl was that bad, certainly easy enough to look at, and I was confused by her departure. WTF? They spent an entire episode on this chick and then she bails? Who wrote this? Then I read your spoiler. OK whatevs. Might watch a few more especially since OITNB isn't out yet, nor Orphan Black, nor Vikings, nor GOT. Am I forgetting anyone?

[DanaC]

Despite its shaky start I was really disappointed when Constantine wasn't picked up for a second season. Like a lot of people I hoped maybe it would find its way to Netflix or Amazon and be better for the lack of constraints on the show.

That didn't happen - but there's some solace for those who wanted to see more of John Constantine:



(Spoiler warning if you've not yet seen the first few eps of the current season of Arrow)



Constantine and Green Arrow... so psyched for this !

[DanaC]

Oh, that was fun!

Tv is just one long nerdgasm right now, I swear. I'm still finding myself occasionally grinning about the Ash vs Evil Dead pilot, and now Constantine in Arrow.