Surprisingly Boring

Rating: 4/10 (23 May 2006)

After hearing so much about the fast paced novel by Dan Brown, that everyone seemed to like, I entered the theater ready for a exciting thriller. The fact that Ron Howard was the director only kept my expectations high.
I was rather disappointed as I struggled to stay awake halfway through the film. I could not determine what happened to the fast paced thriller I had heard so much about. Also, all the plot "twist" seemed so standard and predictable. It was a formula film that lack the excitement and fast pace that I heard the novel contained.
I had only read the first seven chapters before seeing the movie, but will finish the book. I am curious as to what went wrong.
The performances were fine, Ron Howard's directing and selection of shots seemed up to his abilities. I think it went wrong in the editing. Some shots seemed a bit too long, holding after the cut was necessary, to maintain a faster paced film. Thus the film never built any tension or anticipation. I am shock it did as well at the box office as it did the opening weekend. I can only think word of mouth had not spread fast enough. I was equally shock at how some critics have given good reviews (including E&R two thumbs up). Although not a bad film, not one of the better ones. Far from it.