Disappointing...

Rating: 5/10 (9 July 2006)

I never read the book, and after watching the film I don't want to. That isn't to say that the film is all bad, because it's not- there are some brilliant performances from Ian McKellen and Paul Bettany. Unfortunately the film is let down by the fact that Tom Hanks is unforgivably miscast (remember I haven't read the book) but it is clear that the role isn't right for him. Some of my friends have said that Sophie (Audrey Tatou) is nothing like she is portrayed in the book, but I think she played, what is essentially a very silly part, well. Hanks though is no Harrison Ford/Indiana Jones, whom I believe Robert Langdon to be based on and that combined with some dull direction makes the film suffer. On the plus side, every moment that Ian McKellen is on screen is a joy. Now to the religious aspect of the film. Why anybody got upset is a mystery to me. The final 'twist' in the film was obvious from the moment the film began and the whole 'Da Vinci Code' is ridiculous. This film wants to be 'Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade' but isn't. I have heard that 'Angels and Demons' (the superior predecessor to 'Da Vinci') is to be made. Let's just hope that Howard/Hanks do a better job with that film than they have done with this. 5/10.