Movie Reviews, Three Stars - Written by trench on Saturday, May 27, 2006 0:13 - 9 Comments

The Da Vinci Code (Theaters)

The Da Vinci Code is very hard to review fairly if you have read the book. When I picked up a copy from a friend to read, I simply could not put it down. I read the entire book in less than a day. I needed to know what happened next. The story was very well paced, the plot complex yet exciting, and the characters were very intriguing.

This causes problems for the movie. Fans of the Da Vinci Code expect that same thrill of a ride, but it falls short for us. Once you have read the book and know the plot, the movie loses the suspense factor. Its no longer a mystery. I think that many fans of the book gave the movie an unfair review due to this, but thats what happens when you try and put a best seller on the bigscreen. Many times it just falls short and does not live up to its expectations.

I do give Ron Howard alot of credit for staying true to the story. I think that for those who have not read the book, this movie will be enjoyable. The actors did a good job and the screenplay remained extremely faithful to the storyline.

Synopsis:

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. Solving the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci - clues visible for all to see, and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter. Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion - an actual secret society. In a breathless race through Paris, London and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears to work for Opus Dei - a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic organization believed to have long plotted to seize the Priory’s secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory’s secret - and a stunning historical truth - will be lost forever.

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9 Comments

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I’ve heard the same thing from other people. And a friend I know who did watch it who hadn’t read the book beforehand said the film was predictable.

I think I’ll wait for this to go on DVD. :)

Comment by Michelle on May 27, 2006 at 4:00 am

I didn’t necessarily read the book but I did enjoy the film. I thought it was an amazing tribute to the already huge success of the book. I will be purchasing this upon it’s DVD release.

Comment by Jorgeq on May 27, 2006 at 8:52 am

Exactly how I felt. I did feel they changed some unnecessary details, but over all a pretty good adaptation.

Comment by Kyle on May 27, 2006 at 10:21 am

Heh, you’ve already read my review and you know I agree with you. But my love for the book and my love for the movies combined does still make me want to buy the DVD when it comes out.

Comment by fragileheart on May 27, 2006 at 11:04 am

Kris and I want to see this one! Bad!!

Comment by April on May 27, 2006 at 3:57 pm

I enjoyed the film, but then I’m a member of the “not read the book” crowd. I read Angel and Demons (much better than Da Vinci) first tried Da Vinci and could not get on with it. It will be purchased on DVD just so you can say you have it.
In the news the other day was the story of turning Angels and Demons into a film.

Comment by Adam on May 28, 2006 at 1:21 am

yeah, Im going to purchase the Da Vinci Code as well. I love collecting DVD’s. I have some not even opened yet that are over a year old! LOL

Comment by trench on May 28, 2006 at 1:44 pm

Yeah I’m a bit like that, Lucy keeps on buying them and I never have to watch them so they just sit there. One day I’ll get round to it!

Comment by Adam on May 29, 2006 at 1:21 am

I’m reading The Da Vinci Code for the first time right now–and LOVING it–so I’m sorry to hear that the movie does not live up to it. Few movies based on books do, I guess, but it’s still disappointing.

Comment by Terri on May 29, 2006 at 4:39 pm