Movies

Updated: 12/10/2006

Ratings 1: avoid -----> 5: Excellent.

Da Vinci Code : Rating: 2.

Very, very disappointing indeed. I haven't read the book, so I didn't have to worry about "how it was adapted to the screen". The cast is good. Paul Bettany is the strongest link as Silas the tortured and brutal servant of the church.  Hanks as always shines, but even he seems to be winging it through what is quite frankly, a mess of a story. It starts with a character dieing that we don't car for, but later learn of him (which doesn't add to the story). You can guess the villains straight off, as they appear dressed in capes or are introduced in "deep throat" type telephone conversations.

My biggest disappointment? This is a Ron Howard movie. Always a good thing as he usually starts slow and finally sets a magnificent pace, making it impossible for the viewer to look away, but get drawn into the story (The paper, Apollo 13, backdraft etc). In this case it feels like he was restrained by the story. Attempting to keep it as faithful as possible.

Perhaps the book was indeed better, but this is a weak movie. The weakest link? The story.