Better than Da Vinci Code

Rating: 7/10 (19 July 2012)

It's hard not to compare this to The Da Vinci Code. It does use the same main character and same premise of secret societies and symbols. But really, other than that, the two films are nothing a like. And that is what makes this film so much better than the other. The point of this film isn't to make you believe in a fantastic idea. This is plain and simple a mystery that uses historical clues. The story too is much tighter, constructed with a countdown, and just all around more exciting. Howard also deals with the subject matter much more deftly (even though I still think someone with a darker touch, like Fincher, would have been more appropriate). In all, this is a very good mystery/thriller. There was only one thing really that rubbed me the wrong way: (WARNING! SPOILER) the ending. After the big reveal and you find out who was behind everything, if you think about things, its hard not to laugh. I mean, how realistic of a plan is this: OK, I want to become the next pope so I'll kill off all the other nominees, steal a nuclear(like) bomb and set it up so that they'll discover it at the last second. Then I will fly it up in a helicopter with the bomb (to be everyone's savior), have it explode (which would probably make the blast worst, cuz in real life, nukes are detonated in the air for a larger blast radius, not from the ground), but I WILL ESCAPE THE EXPLOSION IN A PARACHUTE, land safely, and because I did such a daring act of compassion, they will elect me as the next pope. Facts like it is impossible to actually expect to live through all that and that the papal laws will never allow this kind of election (and since the Catholic church ISN'T the most conservative group in the world, the first thing OF COURSE will be to break with two thousand years of tradition). Sounds like an airtight, realistic plan to me. Right? Anyways, to get back to the film, it is exciting, a fun mystery, and well made.