US electricity consumption is rising faster than it has in decades, thanks in part to the boom in data center development, the resurgence in manufacturing, and the increasing popularity of electric vehicles.Accommodating that growth will require building wind turbines, solar farms, and other power plants faster than we ever have beforeand expanding the network of wires needed to connect those facilities to the grid.But one major problem is that its expensive and slow to secure permits for new transmission lines and build them across the country. This challenge has created one of the biggest obstacles to getting more electricity generation online, reducing investment in new power plants and stranding others in years-long interconnection queues while they wait to join the grid.Fortunately, there are some shortcuts that could expand the capacity of the existing system without requiring completely new infrastructure: a suite of hardware and software tools known as advanced transmission technologies (ATTs), which can increase both the capacity and the efficiency of the power sector.ATTs have the potential to radically reduce timelines for grid upgrades, avoid tricky permitting issues, and yield billions in annual savings for US consumers. They could help us quickly bring online a significant portion of the nearly 2,600 gigawatts of backlogged generation and storage projects awaiting pathways to connect to the electric grid.The opportunity to leverage advanced transmission technologies to update the way we deliver and consume electricity in America is as close to a $20 bill sitting on the sidewalk as policymakers may ever encounter. Promoting the development and use of these technologies should be a top priority for politicians in Washington, DC, as well as electricity market regulators around the country.That includes the new Trump administration, which has clearly stated that building greater electricity supply and keeping costs low for consumers are high priorities.In the last month, Washington has been consumed by the Trump teams efforts to test the bounds of executive power, fire civil servants, and disrupt the basic workings of the federal government. But when or if the White House and Congress get around to enacting new energy policies, they would be wise to pick up the $20 bill by enacting bipartisan measures to accelerate the rollout of these innovative grid technologies.ATTs generally fall into four categories: dynamic line ratings, which combine local weather forecasts and measurements on or near the transmission line to safely increase their capacity when conditions allow; high-performance conductors, which are advanced wires that use carbon fiber, composite cores, or superconducting materials to carry more electricity than traditional steel-core conductors; topology optimization, which uses software to model fluctuating conditions across the grid and identify the most efficient routes to distribute electricity from moment to moment; and advanced power flow control devices, which redistribute electricity to lines with available capacity.This would allow utilities to earn a profit for saving money, not just spending it, and could save consumers billions on their electricity bills every year.Other countries from Belgium to India to the United Kingdom are already making large-scale use of these technologies. Early projects in the United States have been remarkably successful as well. One recent deployment of dynamic line ratings increased capacity by more than 50% for only $45,000 per mileroughly 1% of the price of building new transmission.So why are we not seeing an explosion in ATT investment and deployment in the US? Because despite their potential to unlock 21st-century technology, the 20th-century structure of the nations electricity markets discourages adoption of these solutions.For one thing, under the current regulatory system, utilities generally make money by passing the cost of big new developments along to customers (earning a fixed annual return on their investment). That comes in the form of higher electricity rates, which local public utility commissions often approve after power companies propose such projects.That means utilities have financial incentives to make large and expensive investments, but not to save consumers money. When ATTs are installed in place of building new transmission capacity, the smaller capital costs mean that utilities make lower profits. For example, utilities might earn $600,000 per year after building a new mile of transmission, compared with about $4,500 per mile annually after installing the equipment and software necessary for line ratings. While these state regulatory agencies are tasked with ensuring that utilities act in the best interest of consumers, they often lack the necessary information to identify the best approach for doing so.Overcoming these structural barriers will require action from both state and federal governments, and it should appeal to Democrats and Republicans alike. Weve already seen some states, including Minnesota and Montana, move in this direction, but policy interventions to date remain insufficient. In a recent paper, we propose a new approach for unlocking the potential of these technologies.First, we suggest requiring transmission providers to use ATTs in some no regrets contexts, where possible downsides are minor or nonexistent. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, for example, is already considering requiring dynamic line ratings on certain highly congested lines. Given the low cost of dynamic line ratings, and their clear benefit in cases of congestion, we believe that FERC should quickly move forward with, and strengthen, such a rule. Likewise, the Department of Energy or Congress should adopt an efficiency standard for the wires that carry electricity around the country. Every year, approximately 5% of electricity generated is lost in the transmission and distribution process. The use of high-performance conductors can reduce those losses by 30%.In addition, federal agencies and state lawmakers should require transmission providers to evaluate the potential for using ATTs on their grid, or provide support to help them do so. FERC has recently taken steps in this direction, and it should continue to strengthen those actions.Regulators should also provide financial incentives to transmission providers to encourage the installation of ATTs. The most promising approach is a shared savings incentive, such as that proposed in the recent Advancing GETS Act. This would allow utilities to earn a profit for saving money, not just spending it, and could save consumers billions on their electricity bills every year.Finally, we should invest in building digital tools so transmission owners can identify opportunities for these technologies and so regulators can hold them accountable. Developing these systems will require transmission providers to share information about electricity supply and demand as well as grid infrastructure. Ideally, with such data in hand, researchers can develop a digital twin of the current transmission system to test different configurations of ATTs and help improve the performance and efficiency of our grids.We are all too aware that the world often faces difficult policy trade-offs. But laws or regulations that facilitate the use of ATTs can quickly expand the grid and save consumers money. They should be an easy yes on both sides of the aisle.Brian Deese is an innovation fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served as director of the White House National Economic Council from 2021 to 2023. Rob Gramlich is founder and president of Grid Strategies and was economic advisor to the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the George W. Bush administration.

Apple's new camera bump designs for the iPhone 17 have surfaced once again, this time in the form of 3D-printed models showcased in a video that offers a hint of what the fall 2025 flagship may feel like in the hand.A render of what the iPhone 17 Pro could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsiderSince the start of 2025, leakers have been claiming that Apple will be making major changes to the camera bump for the iPhone 17 generation. Over the space of a few weeks, leakers have shared renders of supposed designs for the inbound models, with radical alterations made to the backs of the models.Inevitably, someone has used these leaks to create physical 3D representations of the claims. In a video by iDeviceHelp on YouTube, the new iPhone 17 lineup's rumored designs have been 3D printed and checked out. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The best AirPods 4 price has returned, with Apple's latest earbuds falling to $99.99 at Amazon. You can also pick up AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, a discount of $80 off MSRP.AirPods 4 are down to lowest price on record - Image credit: AppleThis week's AirPods sale at Amazon marks the return of the lowest price on record for AirPods 4, which have dipped to $99.99. You can also pick up the higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for $148.99.View the deals Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The films remind us that a building is for the people and places surrounding it what the critic Ian Nairn called relationship as much as for its maker or client. In recent years, that fact has changed the profession from both sides of the political aisle.Writing for The New York Times, Walker Mimms critiques the myth of the lone visionary architect, popularized by Ayn Rands The Fountainhead and embodied in Howard Roark, a character inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. "Open any architecture magazine, and instead of hero worship youre likely to findadaptive reuse, sustainability, accessibility and vernacular styles invoked with the zeal Rand once reserved for height and newness," Mimms notes.Moving to the present day, Mimms dwells on two recent films, The Brutalist and Megalopolis.WhereThe Brutalist highlights the power imbalance between architects and their wealthy clients, Mimms argues,Megalopolis envisions a futuristic city built from organic, adaptive materials."Given her faith in the solo triumph, you have to wonder what Rand would have thought of the fabricatedcritic quotesin the trailer for Megalopolis, or the generative A.I. used to improve Brody and Joness Hungarian dialogue," Mimms concludes. "Its almost as if the a...

During a panel at SXSW 2025, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach director Hideo Kojima, alongside Norman Reedus, Troy Baker and Woodkid, announced an orchestral concert tour revolving around the music of Death Stranding. Dubbed the Death Stranding Strands of Harmony tour, the orchestra will feature music by Ludvig Forssell and Low Roar.Im truly delighted that the music of Death Stranding has resonated with fans worldwide, making this world concert tour a reality, said Kojima in a statement in the press release. Music accounts for 80% of what moves people emotionally. In Death Stranding, it plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere of the game and evoking players emotions.I hope that the songs, whether they are songs that play in moments of solitude or ones that evoke cinematic spectacle, I hope that they will touch your hearts.Tickets for the Death Stranding Strands of Harmony tour will start being available on March 12, with the first show kicking off on November 8 in Sydney. The final leg of the tour will take the concert to Canada, with performances in Montreal on March 26, 2026, and Toronto on March 28, 2026. Check out the complete list of cities and dates part of the tour below.Its an honor and a privilege to be part of, and to have the music of Death Stranding reach a live audience, said Forsell. Death Strandings music stretches from intimate ballads, to synthwave, all the way to climactic orchestral anthems and I cant wait to bring this eclectic musical experience to life with arrangements aimed to elevate each piece in a full orchestral setting.I also hope that we will be able to take you on a journey along with Sam Porter Bridges as the story and music evolves from the first installment to its sequel.The same panel also saw the release of a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which also revealed that the game will be coming to PS5 on June 26. The trailer also featured quite a bit of story content, including a new character played by Luca Marinelli, as well as returning characters like Fragile, Lou, and protagonist Sam Porter.Details about the games various editions were also revealed. The standard edition of the game will be priced at $69.99, and there will also be a Digital Deluxe Edition, priced at $79.99, as well as a Collectors Edition, priced at $229.99.While all editions of the game will be eligible for pre-order bonuses when pre-orders kick off on March 17, the Digital Deluxe and Collectors editions will also include a host of additional goodies, including 48 hours of early access to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach right before its release.Keeping in tradition, Kojima has been cryptic with details for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. A recent update to the titles PlayStation Store listing did, however, confirm that the game would feature a similar asynchronous multiplayer system to the original Death Stranding.Death Stranding Harmony of Strands Concert Tour Schedule:Nov 8, 2025 SydneyNov 16, 2025 LondonNov 22, 2025 Los AngelesNov 28, 2025 ShanghaiNov 30, 2025 BangkokDec 2, 2025 SingaporeDec 6, 2025 SeoulDec 13, 2025 NewarkJan 15, 2026 BerlinJan 17, 2026 ParisJan 19, 2026 MilanFeb 4, 2026 SeattleFeb 7, 2026 ChicagoFeb 23, 2026 YokohamaFeb 28, 2026 OsakaMar 7, 2026 AustinMar 9, 2026 BostonMar 26, 2026 MontrealMar 28, 2026 Toronto

DOOM: The Dark Ages director Hugo Martin has revealed that they would like to tell more medieval DOOM stories in the future. Because of this, DOOM: The Dark Ages wont simply end with the Doomslayer locked way while waiting to be woken up for the events of DOOM 2016.Speaking to PCGamer, Martin said that the ending for DOOM: The Dark Ages will allow the studio some room to work on a follow-up in the same setting down the line. It is worth noting, however, that Martin does not spoil the ending of DOOM: The Dark Ages.Not yet, said Martin when asked if the Doomslayer would be put into a coffin. I mean, that would end the Dark Ages, the medieval chapter of the DOOM saga. This is kind of like the Chronicles of the Slayer.The story is that they collapsed a building on top of him and then put him inside of that sarcophagus that we find him in at the beginning of 2016, he said. And this game doesnt end that way.While this is far from a confirmation about a sequel to DOOM: The Dark Ages, it does indicate that developer id Software might be working on follow-up DLC for the game that would continue the story in some way. We last saw this with DOOM Eternal, which continued its story with its The Ancient Gods DLCs.Martin has spoken about the games use of its medieval setting in the past. In an interview back in February, Martin spoke about how the medieval setting allowed id Software to get dark and sinister with the weapons in DOOM: The Dark Ages. He drew comparisons between the in-game weapons with medieval and dark fantasy torture devices.Part of the reason we chose the fantasy genre is that we could get more dark and sinister with the tool kit, said Martin. When you think medieval, dark fantasy, you think torture devices, ropes, chains, and spikes.Producer Marty Stratton has also spoken about the importance of the story in DOOM: The Dark Ages. In an interview earlier this month, Stratton spoke about how, despite the minimal storytelling in DOOM 2016, the game still got an audience that started speculating on its story.Stratton believes that a DOOM game without any story elements would simply be an arcade game. And that players that would prefer to get to the gameplay as soon as possible can sim ply skip through the in-game cutscenes.A DOOM game that doesnt have a story is just an arcade game, Stratton said. Yes, there are people who like that experience, but, well, thats what the skip button is for.DOOM: The Dark Ages is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on May 15. Martin and Stratton have also spoken about how the games comprehensive melee combat system could theoretically allow players to finish it without using a single gun. They do, however, warn that the game was designed with that play style in mind, and that a melee-only playthrough might end up not being fun.For more details about the upcoming shooter, here is how the Doomslayer was inspired by Frank Millers take on classic comic book superhero Batman.

Broadcoms CIO explains how his organization has consolidated the data analytics needs of 26 different business units, including VMware onto a single platform and what other organizations can learn from the experience.Read More

The set will tower over the rest of Legos Mario Kart collection that was announced last year. | Image: LegoLego has announced a new addition to its Mario Kart collection that first debuted last August. But dont expect Legos latest Super Mario set to fit in with the rest of the racers. At 12.5 inches long and 8.5 inches tall, this set, featuring Mario in his standard racing kart from the game, is Legos largest Mario Kart build to date.The set is available for preorder now through Legos website for $169.99, with an expected ship date of May 15th, 2025, so youll have to wait a couple of months for it to cross the finish line.Featuring 1,972 pieces, the set also includes the largest buildable version of Mario that Lego has ever created, with a detailed face and posable head and arms.When youre not racing the steerable kart back and forth across your desk, the set includes a buildable display stand allowing you to show it off at a dynamic angle, according to Legos website, as if it is being driven at speed or drifting in a Mario Kart race.The set was announced today as part of Nintendos various promotions for MAR10 Day, the March 10th holiday created to celebrate the companys most iconic character.A new Mario Kart game is also expected alongside the release of the Switch 2 later this year. More details on that are expected during an upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation planned for April 2nd, 2025, which will hopefully answer other questions we have about the Switch 2 including how its redesigned Joy-Con controllers will attach to the console, what additional functionality theyll introduce, and whether Amiibo support is continuing.

This years iPad Air was a surprise to me. Apple launched the last Air less than a year ago, and that was a very good device that could already support Apple Intelligence and most of Apples recent gadget upgrades have been about supporting Apple Intelligence. I figured Apple might launch a better Magic Keyboard for the Air (which it did), and that maybe wed see some big new software ideas at WWDC this year. But a whole new model? Didnt see that coming.In fairness, theres really only one new thing about the new model: it runs on an M3 chip instead of last years M2. So maybe instead of a whole new iPad Air, this is more like a mid-cycle refresh. Apples chip production changes, and so its devices change too. The new one, just like the old one, starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch screen. It comes in the same very pale colors. You get it.Ive had a 13-inch M2 Air for many months and an 11-inch M3 Air on my desk for the last several days. The story is the same as ever: its an excellent tablet, and I wish Apple would use iPadOS to make it a more versatile one. But we dont need to litigate the reason for tablets to exist you want to know if this is the tablet you should buy. To that end, I have six thoughts that have come up in my testing that I think add up to something like an answer.8Verge Score$599The GoodBig Magic Keyboard upgradeFaster chips are always a winiPads are greatThe BadTouch ID < Face IDApple Intelligence is not an upgrade$250 more than the base iPadHow we rate and review productsTheres no meaningful performance upgrade here. The M3 chip inside the new Air benchmarks at about 1215 percent above the M2 in last years model. Thats actually a decent-sized bump, though its not the 2x jump Apple promises over the M1 from 2022. (I dont have one of those handy, unfortunately, so I cant test that number.) In practice, though, I dont notice the difference. At all. Apps open at the same speed, games look and play the same, even apps like Procreate and Logic are equally responsive. None of that is a problem with the M3, really, just a statement about how good the M2 already was. In general, Id say the M3 seems closer to the M2 in performance than the M4 iPad Pro, which is still a half-beat faster on just about everything.Graphics performance can be tricky to test on an iPad since there arent that many games designed to push the limits of the device. if I play Call of Duty: Mobile and crank everything to Max settings, I think I notice a slight difference in the details, particularly in shadows. But its subtle at best and possibly just a placebo.But the keyboard is way better. Adding a row of function keys for controlling volume and playback, opening the app switcher, and quickly locking the device immediately makes the Air a more credible laptop replacement. (Until now, the Airs was the only keyboard dock that didnt have the function keys, which was just weird.) Apple says passthrough charging with the new Magic Keyboard charges the iPad as fast as plugging the tablet in directly, which makes it a really useful dock. Its way too expensive an accessory, starting at $269, but its a very good one. The Pro keyboard is still the best one, though: its made of aluminum, has backlit keys and more feedback in the trackpad, and just feels nicer to tap on.Another nice thing: the new keyboard is backwards compatible, so if you have an M2 Air itll work just fine with the new keyboard. In fact, if you can find one on sale, 2024 Air plus 2025 Magic Keyboard might be the Air combo I recommend most.Accessory support is one of the best things about the new Air. Photo: Antonio Di Benedetto, The VergeThis thing really, really should support Face ID. Touch ID always made more sense to me on phones, which you typically hold the same way all the time, than on a tablet where notions of bottom and top are ever-changing. On the Face ID iPad Pro, you hardly ever need the power button; just tap the screen, and it wakes up and unlocks. On this Air, like other Touch ID iPads, its just annoying to sweep your thumb around the edges looking for the power button, where the sensor is.In terms of day-to-day design is how you use it features, Face ID is the Pro upgrade I most want to see come to the Air.Size matters. It might seem silly to say that a 13-inch iPad is very different from an 11-inch iPad, but those two inches of screen size really do change everything. When I use a 13-inch iPad, which is mostly what Ive been testing recently, I hardly ever pick it up; its a desk-bound, keyboard-attached thing. An 11-inch model, on the other hand, is so much easier to hold in two hands (or even in one) that I find myself carrying it around a lot more. If you want a larger model, Id encourage you to consider the 13-inch Pro instead. If youre thinking about the iPad as a productivity machine rather than a portable consumption tool, youll really benefit from the Pros better Magic Keyboard, its 120Hz screen, and its performance improvements. If you want something that is essentially your main computer, the iPad Pro is the way to go if you can afford it. But if the versatility of the small screen appeals to you, the 11-inch Air is a really nice option. You sacrifice some space, obviously, and the keyboard attachment is a bit more cramped, but I recommend the smaller models to people for the wieldability alone. Im convinced that practically every iPad user is best-served by either the plain ol iPad or the 11-inch Air.Apple Intelligence is the open question here. I havent been able to try the new base-model iPad yet, but I suspect that its story is fairly straightforward: the A16 Bionic chip is a nice upgrade, and itll be great for watching movies, browsing the web, and the other things everybody does on their iPad.I cant think of one reason Apple Intelligence would cause you to buy one device over anotherBut there are a couple of things the base model cant do, like Stage Manager (not a problem) and the Pencil Pro (maybe a problem!). Its also the only current iPad that doesnt support Apple Intelligence. Right now, that does not matter one tiny bit. Seriously: I cant think of one reason Apple Intelligence would cause you to buy one device over another in the near future. But if youre bullish on the future of AI and you think Apple Intelligence is likely to be good before youre looking to upgrade your iPad again, you might want the Air. I have no idea how to handicap the likelihood that AI gets good before your iPad dies though its not a great sign that Apple just once again delayed the Siri improvements that might actually make Apple Intelligence compelling. Either way, thats the biggest and most consequential difference between the devices right now.The Air is still a tweener, but its a good one. Speaking of longevity: most studies and surveys show that iPad buyers keep their devices for at least three years and in many cases, its more like five or even seven. If youre planning to keep your next iPad until 2030 or so, Im confident the M3 Air will last that long. Apples M-series chips are terrific and hold up well over time, this Air supports a good Magic Keyboard and the best Apple Pencil you can buy, and other than Face ID and the 120Hz screen, there are no features youre missing by not buying the Pro. (The Pro is just better at everything.) I still think the base iPad is plenty of iPad for just about everybody, but if you want a nicer screen, a little more processor, and a little more confidence that this thing will last you into the next decade, the Air is a great choice.See More:

With a career that stretches back to 1984, Keanu Reeves has had many iconic roles. He was the warm-hearted doofus Ted Theodore Logan in Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure. He was Neo, the would-be One who knows Kung Fu from The Matrix. He was the Baba Yaga in John Wick.But Reeves most defining role was also his most controversial, one for which he seemed wholly unsuited. When he played the towheaded Brit John Constantine in 2005s Constantine, he finally found a role that fully suited the second half of his career, setting the stage for his transition from spaced-out youngster to soulful man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.Keanu By Any Other NameEarly in Constantine, a dark-haired American man in a thin suit enters the dingy bedroom of a possessed woman. The man crawls over the woman and whispers in her ear, This is Constantine, John Constantine asshole.That declaration would have been a surprise to anyone who read Constantines adventures in the acclaimed Hellblazer series published by DC Comics. Almost immediately after Alan Moore introduced the character in 1985s Swamp Thing #37, penciled by Rick Veitch with a cover from Steve Bissette, John Constantine became a fan favorite. He soon got his own book in 1988, which became one of the most beloved offerings of the Mature Readers Vertigo imprint.Part of Constantines appeal came from his well-defined characteristics. Modeled on Sting from The Police, Constantine had spikey blond hair, a rumpled brown jumper, and an ever-present cigarette. Both charming and cynical, Constantine never fit easily within the world of superheroes, which was partially why noted cape-and-cowl hater Garth Ennis wrote some of the characters best stories.John Constantine of the comics is a thoroughly British character, born from the hopelessness of Thatchers England. He knows that hes smarter than everyone else, but he also knows that it doesnt matter, because humans are just pieces of a game between cosmic forces. In other words, hes exactly the type of character who shouldnt be played by a good-looking actor whos lived almost everywhere except England, best known for physical performances in Hollywood blockbusters. He shouldnt be played by Keanu Reeves.Keanu Reeves Is John ConstantineClose your eyes, Constantine tells police officer Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz). Desperate to find out what truly drove her twin sister, a devout Catholic, to take her own life, Dodson badgers Constantine, who begins to notice something strange occurring around them. He pulls something from within his coat and orders Dodson to look away. When she refuses, he mutters, Suit yourself, and the object in his hands produces tremendous light, revealing an army of demonic creatures surrounding them.They stay in Hell, huh? Constantine asks, mocking a statement Dodson made just moments ago. Tell them that.Just reading the dialogue, its easy to imagine it coming from the raggedy English character of the comics, all snark and bitterness. But thats not the way that Reeves plays it, and not just because hes an American.As the demons burn away, so also does the object that Constantine used to reveal them, and he throws it to the ground. He waves his hands a few times and then wipes them together, infusing the moment with a physicality that director Francis Lawrences reliance on muddy CGI threatens to erase. Constantine stumbles into the foreground, turning back only for a second, to notice Dodson spewing behind him.Dont worry, he tells her. Happens to everyone the first time. Its the sulfur. And then he lights another cigarette.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Even though hes making fun of Dodson, Constantine takes no pleasure in the line. Instead, he sputters it out because he knows that it wont matter, and hes just going through the motions again. Hes been through it all before and now hes very, very tired.Its that feeling of exhaustion that becomes the core of all Keanus best performances.The Tired Lives of Keanu ReevesThe most memorable part of the first John Wick happens late in the film, after John has returned to his violent ways, after hes been asked time and again if hes returning to his bloody job. Captured by the Russian mobster Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist), Wick collapses into a chair and listens as his enemy monologues. John stares up through his flop of hair at Viggo pontificating about the nature of a violent life, and waits for a chance to respond.People keep asking if Im back, and I havent really had an answer, Wick finally growls But now, yeah, Im thinking Im back.Its a great line, the type that we love to hear in any revenge action movie. Its the moment when the hero finally fully commits to the life into which hes been thrust, the moment when he angrily declares his supremacy over his enemies.But the secret to the delivery in John Wick isnt just the usual bluster. Its the brief pause he takes after saying Yeah, and the fact that Wick needs a breather before continuing.The John Wick franchise features some of the greatest action visuals of all time, with stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski orchestrating all manner of chaos. Stahelskis long-time collaborations with Reeves helps to bring those scenes to life, but theyre enhanced not just by Reevess ability to do karate chops and choke holds, but his ability to look genuinely winded as he staggers up for the next round or falls against a wall to catch his breath.All of Reevess greatest late-period roles share this quality. Voicing failed stuntman figure Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and bitter test subject Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, returning as older and more worn-down versions of standout characters for Bill and Ted Face the Music and The Matrix Resurrections, playing an intimidating neighbor in The Neon Demon and a former love interest in Always Be My MaybeAll of these parts require Reeves to express his characters age, to embody someone with the weight of the world on their shoulders. All of these characters require Reeves to apply the lessons he learned while playing John Constantine.A Tale of Two ConstantinesIn 2014, Matt Ryan took the role of Constantine for a CW series, and then reprised the part on Legends of Tomorrow. The Welsh performer seemed to leap off the page, with a twinkle in his eye and a constant smirk, to say nothing of a proper accent and hair color. The comic book-accurate version that Ryan provided has only made Reevess take stand out as its own thing.Certainly, Ryan would have made different choices when playing the confrontation with the angel Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) at the end of Constantine. Ryan would have worn an acidic smile when, after Gabriel expresses shock that John judges her, Constantine mocks, Betrayal, murder, genocide? Call me provincial.Between his heavy breathing and Gabriels foot on his face, Reevess Constantine can barely get out the lines, let alone retain some condescending sneer. But thats true to his version of the character, not a cynical wiseacre, but someone so incredibly tired of it all the angels, the demons, and especially the people.Reeves goes on to carry that truth throughout his late-career run, the run that forced people to finally recognize him as an outstanding physical performer. As his apparent miscasting in Constantine shows, Reeves is no chameleon who can disappear into any role. But as his fully realized take on Constantine also shows, hes better than anyone at playing heroes who wear their exhaustion on their face.