Back in 2005, people were excited about Constantine, a film featuring Keanu Reeves fighting against both heaven and hell in a supernatural film noir. It was based on the long-running DC/Vertigo comic, Hellblazer, about a shady conman named John Constantine who was out to protect Earth from the perils of Hell.
On paper, it sounded amazing, like a detective story mixed with the occult, but the film failed to resonate with audiences. The production did manage to make its budget back (and then some) yet the reception was mixed. Before long, the movie was overshadowed by its competition and faded into obscurity. For most, it simply wasn't the biblical detective story that fans had wanted and the studio had promised.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and John Constantine is set to make his grand reemergence. Constantine, NBC's new series, is a rare second chance for a comic book character. The TV show is a way to take the character and start from scratch, and hopefully win back fans who shunned the film. It seems to be working. Even before tonight's premiere, the show had been one of the most hyped of the new season. With any luck, NBC's take on the character will make viewers forget that the 2005 film ever existed.
In general, the show looks far more dedicated to following John Constantine's story than the 2005 film ever was. The movie was so cut down and Americanized that it was almost unrecognizable to fans of the comics, but the show seems to be taking great lengths to keep the story both genuine and entertaining to watch. The film may have been a Hollywood cash-grab (albeit a successful one), but the new Constantine series from NBC looks more like a project people are actually passionate about than an overblown marketing scheme.
Constantine airs tonight at 10 p.m. on NBC.
