For two decades now, Constantine has solidified itself as one of the genuine cult favorites within the comic book/superhero genre. Initially, it garnered mixed reactions and modest box office figures in 2005. However, its popularity among fans has soared significantly due to strong DVD and Blu-ray sales over the years. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Warner Bros. has given Constantine a complete 4K restoration and re-release, supervised by its director Francis Lawrence.
When a filmmaker like Lawrence revisits their own work, such as the movie “Constantine,” for a 4K restoration, it’s often a sign of quality, especially since many Criterion films are also restored with the director’s approval. This 20th anniversary restoration is one of the best studio discs of 2025 so far, and Lawrence even brought back original colorist Dave Hussey for the project.
The recently released 4K version of the film “Constantine” makes it seem as though it was just made yesterday, not 20 years ago. However, when we talk about restored films from decades past, “brand new” can be misleading. A common criticism among collectors and movie enthusiasts is that the picture in 4K restorations may lose its original texture and grain, often to create a more polished, contemporary look. When I say that “Constantine” looks fresh, I’m not referring to this change.
In 2005, the film “Constantine” was revolutionary, blending supernatural and noir aspects into an action-packed movie set in a conflict between heaven and hell. The technology for special effects at that time wasn’t quite advanced enough to fully realize Lawrence’s vision, and many of the VFX-heavy scenes have not aged well over the past 20 years. However, it seems that all “Constantine” required was some restoration and color upgrades to bring its original brilliance back to life.
In the 4K version of Constantine, there’s an abundance of film grain, yet it gives off a vibe as if the movie had access to more contemporary effects all along. The demons seem to fit effortlessly into this gritty setting. The otherworldly weapons appear authentic, as if they genuinely exist in that universe. This restoration process has managed to give Constantine a modern feel, almost as if it’s revealing its purest and most intended version from the start.
Regardless of visual effects, Constantine’s restoration offers a unique and captivating display that stands out among contemporary comic book films. A brief glance is all it takes to recall that no other production shares its distinctive flair.
In every aspect, from colors to minor details, this 4K restoration is simply outstanding. The sound quality is superb throughout, with whispered dialogues in the noir genre harmoniously blending with intense action scenes and eerie growls. To make it even better, there’s an extended documentary that brings together Francis Lawrence and Keanu Reeves after twenty years, offering them and other contributors a platform to discuss the enduring impact of Constantine.
2025’s year is barely underway, yet the restoration project undertaken by Constantine has already made a strong case for being among the top restorations of the year.
You can purchase your copy of the Constantine 4K here.
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2025-02-24 21:14