An intriguing adventure filled with secrets, mysteries and murder

Rating: 6/10 (24 December 2006)

I picked up the book by Dan Brown about 2 months before the film came out and entered into the world of secrets, mysteries and murder. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was rather worried about how it would translate to screen. But it was done rather well.
Plot: Robert Langdon a Harvard professor of iconography and religious art is called in when a famous curator, Jacques is found dead in a historical museum. Jacques left behind a series of codes and clues for Langdon and his granddaughter Sophie Neveu, a French cryptologist, to unravel and discover the truth about many things to do with the past and the present. As Robert and Sophie begin breaking the codes, many secrets are revealed that delve into the works of Leonardo da Vinci and the clues that he might have left behind in his paintings. They go on an adventure to discover the true meanings behind the famous works of Leonardo da Vinci. The film reveals a lot about historical times and the Holy Grail. Many twists result.
What's right with it? The cast is great, although Tom Hanks didn't do such a great job at playing Robert Langdon. The story is clever and imaginative and the sets and scenery add to the film's fine details. Most things in the book were included in the film but plenty was shortened. All in all the film is quite entertaining and it makes you wonder.
What's Wrong With It? The film does start off quite slow in the first 10 minutes or so and you may find that you are bored but don't fret, the film quickly picks up pace later on. I was upset by one particular thing that was left out at the end of the film. It would've only taken the filmmakers less than a minute to include it in the movie but unfortunately it disappeared completely. If you are clever, though, you may figure it out for yourself.
Verdict The Da Vinci Code won't please all, especially religious Christians but it was well done and deserves credit. But all in all, the story is better in the form of a book than in the form of a film.