The Da Vinci Code

[SPOILERS]
[SPOILERS]
[SPOILERS]


The movie did not disappoint me. Not at all. I guess having read the book a long time ago helped coz I didn't get to compare each nitty-gritty detail to Ron Howard's adaptation. It was long and winding and boring for some, especially during slow-paced conversations but for me, that was the most important part. Maybe "Angels and Demons" (another Dan Brown book) can be an action-packed, fast-paced one, but this book is more on giving out information. That's what I expected and that's what I got.





While watching the movie, there were times when I think about "A Beautiful Mind", another Ron Howard Academy Award winning masterpiece. I guess it's because of the special effects used like when Robert Langdon decodes the message or deciphers the symbols. I like that and I like the flashbacks too. Oh and not to mention Paul Bettany's presence. Speaking of Paul Bettany, I applaud him for his Silas portrayal. I pity him they way I pitied Silas in the book and I guess that's one way to know if an actor did a good job. His death may be abrupt but those moments of pain from memories and self-flagellation are very moving. At least now I see Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon (not just because of his Mickey Mouse watch mind you), although I still wish they would have "improved" his hairstyle. Audrey Tautou is very pretty indeed and is physically perfect for the role but I think the role needed more of her acting skills. Maybe that's why they complemented each other. Tom has the acting skills and Audrey has the beauty. Haha! Now, Sir Ian McKellen as Sir Lee Teabing is perfect. I can't think of any other actor who can play Teabing better. He brings a mix of drama, innocence, comedy, evil and sometimes gay moments (which I love) all rolled into one superb performance.





I wish they focused more on Bishop Aringarosa (played by Alfred Molina) and Bezu Fache (played by Jean Reno). The movie seems hurried that's why the ending is not as loyal to the book as we would have liked. It could have been more dramatic if Neveu found her brother and grandmother and Jacques Sauniere remained to be her grandfather, not just the grandmaster of the Priori of Sion and the curator of the Louvre. But like most movies based on books, time is of the essence. They can't cram everything in one movie. What they showed me is enough for me to hope that if they make another Dan Brown book adaptation, I'd still want Ron Howard to direct it.