The running time is 2 hrs. 1 min..
Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo "Hellblazer" graphic novels Constantine centers around our title character, John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves. John is a demon hunter, a man who has died once and has been brought back to this world for only reasons higher powers know and he is meant to find out. Amidst John's struggle for his own soul he suddenly finds his day-to-day life of exorcisms and demon banishing a bit more than he can handle as the term Holy War is given an all to literal meaning.
Equipped with the weapons of a righteous warrior John is aided by a clairvoyant cop (Weisz) as the two set out to battle those determined to begin an era of Hell on Earth.
Constantine is a movie that is as visually spectacular as it is mentally spectacular as it gives your brain a workout on both fronts. Dazzling special effects and excellent casting decisions such as Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Djimon Hounsou, Peter Stormare and even Bush front man Gavin Rossdale make this DVD a must own for the movie alone, but wait this edition has more.
On the special features front you will be taken even deeper into the world of Constantine with a multitude of features that delve into the making of the film from a scripting standpoint as they hash out differences between the comic and the feature film, the special effects, the casting and an awesome feature dedicated to the props used in the film, which really gives you a new found appreciation for those prop guys who went to such extensive details on each item in the film all the way up to the multi-functional shotgun or "Street Sweeper" Constantine wields in the final act of the film.
There are also 18 minutes of deleted scenes with optional director commentary, several of which detail the role of Ellie, a demon played by Michelle Monaghan, whose part in the film was ultimately cut down to a single line of "Holy Water," but was much larger when you get into it here. You will also see how the Vermin Man was originally going to have a much smaller part until it was realized just how cool the battle was, and when you see the making of that scene you will gain a new found appreciation for Keanu's acting skills. Finally there is a look at an alternate ending, which is definitely cool, and if you take the time to go through the credits you will see an alternate cut of it has always been at the end of the feature.
Next, is a feature comparing animatics to what was ultimately shot, all with optional director commentary, but if you ask me the commentary is necessary as it adds so much more to what is usually a useless section on DVDs.
After all that there is also a feature commentary with director Francis Lawrence, producer Akiva Goldsman, and writers Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, of which is really unnecessary after all the featurettes on disc two, but still a lively conversation between Lawrence and Goldsman make this an entertaining listen as the two virtually dominate the audio.
On top of the film and all the features, you are also treated to a collectible "Hellblazer" comic featuring a reprint of Issue #41 and a "Hellblazer" short story. Personally I could have done without this added bonus, but for you fans of the comic this is going to be a real treat.
Overall, I think it is needless to say that I recommend this edition highly, and above and beyond the "movie only" edition of the DVD, which boasts none of the extra goodies you will find here. After making $75+ million at the box-office there are currently no plans for a sequel so we can only hope that the DVD sales drive Warner Bros. into action and this will not be the last we see of John Constantine.