Novel is far better than the movie

Rating: 6/10 (28 May 2006)

Yesterday I finally saw a chance to go and watch the most discussed movie of this moment: The Da Vinci Code. After reading the book twice, hearing the great cast that would represent the main characters, and seeing the overwhelming trailers, I was so curious and full of expectations that nothing could spoil the screen version of this great book.
In a fully packed cinema I was able to conquer a nice seat somewhere in the middle of the hall. After watching dozens of commercials and trailers, the movie finally started. After the movie I left the cinema kind of unsatisfied. I think Audrey Tautou, Tom Hanks, Paul Bettany and Ian McKellan did a nice job playing the roles of Sophie, Robert Silas and Sir Leigh Teabing. They were just as I imagined them, reading the book. But what I really missed in the film was the excitement build up during some passages, greatly described in the book, but kind of neglected in the movie. For example, the excitement build up during the transportation of the cryptex, and discovering the cryptex hidden in the Bank of Zurich. In the movie, these things pass by in such a speed that there's is no time to build up any excitement. Also solving all the riddles left by Sauniere were solved so fast, that it's far from realistic. I also missed the emotional parts of Sophie and the relationship between her and her grandfather, especially when she was young.
The things I loved the most in the book were the little details most people never thought of: phi and its role in nature and the connection of Disney and his hidden messages about religion. They did not show up in the movie. But I know that when all these things would have been present in the movie, it will have a playing time of over 4 hours. For the people who want to go see the movie but did not read the book, I suggest them first to read the book, because I think they will have a great deal following the story. It's kind of hard to understand because of all the facts about ancient groups that pop up and pass by in a high speed.
Overall I think the book is far better than the movie, especially when you have great expectations. I think Ron Howard did not succeed in giving the movie the charms the book has got.