Friday, May 19, 2006

Review of The Da Vinci Code: the movie... the verdict is in

Well, if I can sum up the movie in one word, it can be "disappointment". I watched the movie with a couple of buddies, one of whom has read the book and two others did not read the book. In the end the review seems divided, people who read the book including me were definitely disappointed whereas those who did not read the book were thoroughly impressed. Seems to be the general trend in the reviews so far.

For those who read the book and watched the movie, you would definitely agree that the character developement left a lot to be desired. Tom Hanks seemed to go through the motions for the most part. Sophie had a good actress playing her character... very pretty too. Sir Teabing's and Silas characters were the best in the whole movie. Overall, pretty slow although in fairness to the director, he did manage to capture important chunks of the book into the movie.

However, those who read the book can/should definitely pass on the movie. For those who did not read the book, go out and watch the movie, it's pretty good.

29 Comments:

Anonymous said...

However, those who read the movie can definitely pass on the movie.
Slip of the pen?

Everseeker

Anonymous said...

Tant pis. I'll probably go see it anyway, more as a political statement than anything else re. what and who I choose to support with my dollars. (Hint: it's not the would-be censors and Tom Cruise!)

Anonymous said...

i didn't read the book, but thought the movie was pretty bad. They took my favorite actress, a great actor, a great director...and made a boring, predictable movie.

Anonymous said...

we go saturday. if it in 1/2 as good as Scorepian King. Or 1/3 better than National Treasures I will be happy
t

Anonymous said...

Sucked!!!!! I took the whole fam damily and spent 50 bucks on tickets. Husband who hasn't read the book wasn't impressed. Daughter loved seeing the Louvre that we had just visited right after the filming! Fache was good, Sofie was good, Teabing was great, Silas was a little mechanical, but poor Tom - YUCK! I would have rather seen Nick Cage as Langdon. And what was with the issue they gave Langdon - elevator, If you are expecting the book to come to life, run don't walk to the nearest exit. Oh Ronny I am so sorry.

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree. I read the book and loved the movie. As with any movie made off of a book, you have to forget your POV at the door. After all over 60 mil have read this book, obviously everyone can't get what they want. I thought it was well made, completely, and followed the book to a "T" with only a few minor plot changes which I did not mind.

Anonymous said...

I loved the movie. I could see why people are dissappointed but if you read the book again it would also be boring since you already know everything as well. I am a filmmaker and I read teh book and only found a few places with action parts in it. Angles and demons would make a better film. But this one was good for what it was. Tom Hanks performence was ok b/c he was acting like a boring prof. A lot of prof are kind of boring. I give it 3 1/3 out of 5 stars

Anonymous said...

Often lost in the criticism of the book is that it wasn't so great. Good but not great. When I finished the book I was kind of disappointed. I figured this was one of those rare instances when the movie could be BETTER than the book. I liked Angels and Demons much better.

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen the movie yet. But when I finished Angels & Demons, the first thing I thought was that it would make a great movie. I didn't get the same impression when I finished reading the Da Vinci Code. So, like others, I will probably be dissapointed by the movie, but will go see it anyway,

Anonymous said...

Haven't read the book, but thought the movie was good, so did my girlfriend. Now, I'll go ahead and read the book :)

Anonymous said...

ending was very diff from the book

pretty good overall though

Anonymous said...

I read the book twice before I saw the movie. There were pros and cons for me tho I would not call it good or bad. The best part of the movie was getting to see the art and landmarks described in the book. I was disappointed that Sophie's character was not nearly as smart as she was in the book. Tom solved the majority of the puzzles and called many of the shots. At least they made her a good driver. I was also disappointed at the portrayal of her grandfather. In the book he was a loving, caring, genious. The movie made him seem harsh. I was interested in the discussion between Teabing and Tom at Teabing's place with regards to the immortality of Jesus. They added an "out" for theories presented that was not in the book. I liked the young girl they picked to play Sophie as a child - resemblance was good. Did anyone read Eberts review? What is he smoking? Protesters were present outside the theater. According to them, it seems I have lost my soul. I guess I have some serious sun worshiping to do to get it back. :)
-sunkid

Anonymous said...

what do you mean the ending was "very different"?

Anonymous said...

"…in fairness to the director, he did manage to capture important chunks of the book into the movie."
- You mean screenplay-writer?

Anonymous said...

The ending was different? That's a good thing because the ending in the book was extremely anti-climactic.

SPOILER ALERT - READ NO FURTHER IN THIS POST IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW THE BOOK ENDS

Once they get the second cryptex open - and they didn't even have to go to London for that really - it points them to Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, where Sophie finds long lost family. No Grail, however, and no answers from the grandmother either except to say "it's not here". Langdon figures it must be buried under the Louvre pyramid. The end. Very disappointing.

I was left with the question, "Yeah, so what?" What was the point of the keystone when all it did was lead to a dead end?

Anonymous said...

The ending is not different; they altered it slightly and if you use your senses it really is the same ending to the book.

As far as Angels and Demons, making that inot a movie would really piss off the Vatican, lol.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I've been really looking forward to the movie b/c audrey tautou has been my favorite actress for years and I was excited to see her hit hollywood (though according to her, she won't do it again and would like to lay low for awhile). Thats why I like her. She is very good at what she does and doesn't do it for the fame.

Anonymous said...

You mean a murderous priest who kills his father, the Pope by the way, wouldn't go over well in Rome? LOL The only real problem I have with that book is Langdon surviving the fall from the helicopter without a chute. Yeah, that will work.

Erin said...

I haven't seen the movie yet, and I am in the middle of the book, but I just want to comment on movies made from books. They are never on point because it would be way too long a movie. I guess some people think the movie is horrible because there was so much hype building it up and when it got here it was only 1/2 a book.

Anonymous said...

erin,

People state that the movie is bad because the movie really acutally, well, sucks. Yes, books will always take too long if translated in their entirety, but in this case there was too much dropped in terms of connecting the storyline. I don't know how most people could understand what was happening if they hadn't read the book.

Ron Howard blew this one. Too bad for us fans.

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