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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Am I the Only One
I never read the book as I've tried reading Dan Brown before and find his writing somewhat laboured.
The film however (when not compared to the book) was simply a good mystery yarn.
The special effects were nicely done and I have to say that I loved the incidental music by Hans Zimmer.
Maybe not for the purist historian but for a...
Published 22 months ago by D. Paterson
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
[3.5]-Books adapted to films are the hardest to please.
After finally viewing this film last night I thought it was alright. Movies such as this seem to be a great challenge for directors. This story been read by so many and I know the film is almost 2.5 hours long, but this could, and should have been a bit longer or expanded in the correct places. The first 200 pages of Dan Brown's book are adapted into about 20 minutes. All...
Published on 29 Jun 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
[3.5]-Books adapted to films are the hardest to please., 29 Jun 2007
After finally viewing this film last night I thought it was alright. Movies such as this seem to be a great challenge for directors. This story been read by so many and I know the film is almost 2.5 hours long, but this could, and should have been a bit longer or expanded in the correct places. The first 200 pages of Dan Brown's book are adapted into about 20 minutes. All of the anagrams, the Fache (Jean Reno) stuff, investigating the crime scene. ALL of that goes by in an incredibly rushed 20 minutes. You have to give those 20 minutes your full, undivided attention or you'll miss important details. Langdon being Fache's number 1 suspect isn't the least bit surprising. You had just been introduced to both characters 2 minutes beforehand. The film finally decides to slow down and take it's time once we meet Ian Mckellen's character, Leigh Teabing. They should have added at least 30 minutes to the first 20 minutes, and probably put some of those extra minutes into the irksome flashy flashback sequences.
The acting is pretty good. Tom Hanks has his weak points in the film, but he's given such little time to react to things, I don't blame him. He gets better as the film goes along. The same can be said about Audrey Tautou. If the film wasn't so swift, I'm sure they'd give great performances. Paul Bettany, Jean Reno, Ian Mckellen and Alfred Molina all gave good performance. I'm not surprised that Dan Brown had Jean Reno in mind for Fache when he was writing the book. Ian Mckellen is great as the lovable and humble old man, Teabing. In my opinion, he has the best lines in the film. And Paul Bettany stands out as the albino monk, Silas. I think he gave the best performance in the film.
Ron Howard does a good job in the directing chair but if he hadn't rushed and gave more respect to the first 200 pages of Dan Brown's novel I'd probably give this film a higher rating. I do recommend this film but it's better to read it before you see it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Am I the Only One, 10 Jan 2008
I never read the book as I've tried reading Dan Brown before and find his writing somewhat laboured.
The film however (when not compared to the book) was simply a good mystery yarn.
The special effects were nicely done and I have to say that I loved the incidental music by Hans Zimmer.
Maybe not for the purist historian but for a couple of hours of escapism, I thought it was great.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Somewhat basic production, 19 Dec 2007
This contains the 1 DVD.
The basic plot of Da Vinci (2006) is very interesting. There are some genuine moments of horror brilliantly done with fantastic sound effects. There are plenty of surprises. The adventure has something of a Bourne Identity (2002) action thriller to it, with the nauseating torture of Passion of the Christ (2004). Moreover, the opening sequence is memorable drama, but on the whole the film lacks a bit of edge.
The fanfare score is nauseating - your head swirls after being subjected to it for so long and on so many occasions. A darker score, more variation, and a darker direction would have orientated the film firmly into the horror genre, where it would have performed better.
The production teams seem to have got away with putting in only a very basic job. For example, costume is one area where there could have been more inspiration and originality. The design of the franchise - the DVD cover in particular, is uninspiring and the design team should be warned. "Uncover the secret" it declares, but the whole point about Da Vinci (2006) is that it isn't quite uncovered.
A lot in this film is centred on Tom Hanks- indeed, the film ends with a fade on him. But I can't help thinking something else could have been done.
Perhaps, the book is much better to read.
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18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
Entertaining nonsense, 26 Feb 2007
In favour of this film: lots of action, wonderful special effects, great acting, especially from Tom Hanks as the hero, Audrey Tatou as the heroine, and Ian McKellen as a cranky and half-crippled academic who turns out not to be quite what he seems. Other cast members who deliver excellent performerces include Paul Bettany as a sinister monk from Opus Dei, Alfred Molina, Jean Reno and Jurgen Prochnow. The musical background is hauntingly beautiful, and the story is fast moving and well paced.
Negative - well if you need to be told what this film is about, where have you been? There has been a lot of controversy about both the book on which the film is based and about the plot of the film. And frankly, if you took it seriously, practically every word of criticism would be totally justified. If you allow the critical functions of your brain to engage while watching this, and you have a normal capacity for healthy scepticism, you will probably consider the story to be implausible nonsense from beginning to end.
If you start taking this film seriously, perhaps you need help. If after watching it you start getting urges to dig up churches or the Louvre, you definitely need help. If you start getting annoyed with it, remind yourself that the original book is a novel and the film is meant to be entertainment.
Fortunately the story is fast-paced enough to make it relatively easy to switch off your critical functions and just enjoy the film purely as entertainment. On that level, and only on that level, it's good.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Why is everyone so determined to dislike this just to go against the hype?, 26 April 2009
I am writing this having ONLY seen the film- I have not read the book. It was an intruiging and interesting film. I really enjoyed it. It was complicated at times, grasping who everyone was and what their stance was.
I can appreciate that if you have previously read the book there will be alot that had to be skimmed over i guess! But lets not all get up on our cultural high horses, its a really good watch.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A convolution, 10 Jan 2008
This is one of these films that should never have been made - at least not true to the novel. I fell asleep wathcing a whole lot of convoluted non-sense which has script difficulties keeping the plot interesting; and even seasoned hacks like Msrs Hanks and McKellen cannot pull that miracle off.
The film repeats the ridiculous hodgepodge plot cooked up in the novel which, if you are widely read, seems to borrow quite a few ideas from other literary works and films. Luckily this movie makes said plot and conjecture on the Holy Grail look as implausible as it is. All the shortcomings of having to explain a plot in extended soliloquis are exposed.
Despite all that self-debunking honesty of a film travesty, to conspiracy theorists there will always be a conspiracy, no matter what the truth. And that is a certain as the 'Amen' in a church.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Don't make a treasure hunt out of a mostly debated topic., 13 Oct 2007
Plot:
A murder inside the Louvre and clues in Da Vinci paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years -- which could shake the foundations of Christianity
My Review:
This film does have some level of drama, mystery and all the genres connected to that of a thriller. Yet having read the book twice and loving it as many times I have read it, this film feels like a bit of a rushed, one drafted film.
As I started reading the book when it was first Published , I enjoyed it tremendously. When reading it, I felt that all the concepts of the book and the well paced story were very well written and cleverly done. Yet in this film it was rushed and missed key points coherent to the story and I personally believe that these were necessary, but that happens when a film cannot be so long. The First 20-30mins was rushed and far to concerned with getting the chase and investigation underway. Yet as stated by Ian McKellen in Johnathan Ross' program Ron Howard had made it a 'Action Thriller'.
There are many good performances provided by Jean Reno, Audrey Tautou & Ian McKellen especially that of Paul Bettanny as Silas. The part of Robert Langdon played by Tom Hanks, was much more extrovert throughout the book, yet in the film; his part, until the second halve and end of the film, his character was 'kept back' in the film.
The flashbacks in the film were vague and yet I still believe very much essential to that of the characters, which made the character more developed and less hollow. The flashbacks of Silas were very good, however they were rushed and a slightly empty and not giving the whole picture of how the character came to be.
The History of Christ and Foundations of Christianity in the film that related to the story was rushed or skipped out of the way and I believed was to get to the point quickly, yet most audiences prefer anticipation and coming to their own conclusion
I had hoped this film would be one of the years best films and as great summer blockbuster. However it does not seem that way. From a readers view and watching the film I do believe many feel as I do about this film. As for those who have not read the book, I hope they enjoyed the film.
Verdict:
A great Cast of very experienced actors, yet could have been given larger roles. I enjoyed seeing the film and remembering my thoughts and feelings I had when reading the book. A good film for summer for those who love a murder mystery and conspiracy thriller. 6/10.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Not bad, 13 Aug 2007
I quite enjoyed this film and love Tom Hanks in the lead role. If you're looking to buy this to see every detail from the book jump out at you from your TV (or you're looking to get out of reading the book completely), I can't promise you'll enjoy this film. The film is fast paced as with the book but there are several things missed out from the book. Although there are a lot of page-to-screen films out there that haven't quite pulled it off for me, I did quite like this one and I can't wait to see the other Dan Brown novels turned into films if they are as well done as this one.
Some excellent performances from the main stars and some stunning backdrops to look out for as well.
Not fantastic but it will pass a dull Sunday.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Better than given credit for, 1 Feb 2007
I read the book when it came out and loved it, it's one of the best books I have read!!
When I heard they were making a film from the book I was a little worried because I didn't want them to spoil how good the book was. Hearing Tom Hanks was playing the lead role I just couldn't imagine it and hoped he would do the part justice.
I got this DVD the day it came out and I couldn't wait to watch it and I wasn't disappointed. The most disappointed I was was with Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon because he looks the part (kinda) but he isn't how I fully pictured the character and this ruins it slightly for me.
But the story is amazing (there is big chunks cut out and bits changed) and it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next bit of the puzzle to unravel.
The scences were great as was the directing and the acting. This is now one my my favourite films and I adore it.
Buy it, if you haven't already!!
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12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
True to the film, 31 Dec 2006
This film was absolutely brilliant and I have no idea how anyone could say it was bad. The movie was true to the book and Ian McKellen and Paul Bettany deserve an oscar for their parts as Sir Leigh Teabing and Silas. Don't trust the reviews this was a stunning movie.
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