Reeves takes viewers for ride

A psychedelic thunderstorm of a movie, “Constantine” crackles across

the screen with eye-popping special effects at every turn. It’s a

high-powered supernatural thriller full of apocalyptic Christian

imagery and metaphysical mumbo jumbo. The bizarre scenes and spooky

music conspire to make a viewer feel like a mental patient on LSD.

Characters freely travel back and forth between the material world

and the realms of spirit. Demons and angels fight for the souls of

helpless humans.

In middle of this eternal struggle is John Constantine, a sort of

psychic Border Patrol agent who strives to keep the demons of hell

from entering the physical world. His tortured persona is played with

moral ambiguity by a stoic Keanu Reeves. He travels easily between

dimensions, like the old Dr. Strange of comic book fame.

The screenplay is true to its roots, as “Constantine” is based on

the “Hellblazer” series of comics and graphic novels.

Rachel Weisz is well cast as a disturbed detective who seeks out

Constantine’s help after her twin sister dies under mysterious

circumstances. Peter Stormare almost steals the show with his

outlandish performance as Lucifer late in the story.

“Constantine” is fast-paced, loud and not for the weak of heart.

It’s clearly aimed at young male fans of the “Hellblazer” series.

They will not be disappointed by this well-crafted interpretation of

the material. But for everyone else, you will need to be a fan of

this eccentric sci-fi genre to really enjoy the show.

Call it the “Blade Runner” meets “The Exorcist” inside “The

Matrix.” If you liked those movies, you’re in for a wild ride.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.