Disappointing- A Missed Opportunity

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2006)

The problem was always going to be how to get the ideas in the book across to a cinema audience , Howard manages a workman like job of this, but I felt viewers who may not be familiar with the story may have been confused by some of the "leaps" made in the explanations.Saying that it is very faithful to the book but Sadly Howard fails to capture the energy and tension of the novel and some of this has to be down to his choice of Hanks as Robert Langdon. Fine actor that Hanks is he just doesn't cut the mustard in this role, The Langdon character in the book comes across as slightly more dashing charismatic and occasionally Heroic , Hanks I'm afraid came across as a bit of a plumb !. Audrey Tautou is excellent and was everything I imagined the character of Sophie to be , Mckellen again does a superb job ,and Paul Bettany tremendous. The Loctaions were superb and Howard uses some techniques he first employed in "A Beautiful Mind" .
Its amazing how this film just does not capture the spirit and breakneck pace of the novel , which heaped revelation upon revelation on the reader and rather like "24" left you wanting more after each chapter.
Alas Howard and Hanks really were a bad choice for this film and some the dialog feels rather clumsy. If You haven't seen this or read the Book my advice would be read the book . If you see this you'll wonder what all the fuss is about.