The Book is MUCH Better

Rating: 5/10 (12 April 2007)

I had long awaited the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, seeing as the novel is one of my favorites. My excitement only increased when I found out Ron Howard, one of my favorite directors was going to direct the picture. However, when Tom Hanks was signed on as Dr. Robert Langdon, my excitement died. I never went to see the film in theaters, and only just watched it a couple days ago out of curiosity for my older sister had bought the film and wanted me to watch it with her. She had seen it in theaters, and said it was a mediocre film compared to the novel. I watched it and found myself supremely disappointed. From the very beginning the film seems to be a a bad spoof of a great movie. Silas' character is unbelievable and you don't care for him as you should. Robert Langdon was cast completely wrong (though admittedly, my sister and I have pondered for the past several days over who would be the right Robert with no success.) and his character is very mild instead of intense, and even his claustrophobia is down played and fitted in at random places of the film (very unstrategically, to the point where it just seems silly and annoying). And everyone's character seems to be wrong. All of course with the exception of Teacher, aka Sir Leigh Teabing played marvelously by my favorite actor of all time, Ian McKellen. That man can do no wrong with his magnificent voice and superb acting skills. Honestly that man was the best part of the film. But back to the film.. I found myself feeling detached from the chase to find the Holy Grail aka Mary Magdalyn, Jesus' wife and mother of his child Sarah. I watched from the sidelines, oblivious to what was going on and for what reason even though I had read the novel. The chases, hunt, and overall presentation of the film was lame. The acting (with the exception of Ian McKellen and Jean Reno - aka Captain Bezu Fache). So after all of this horrible ranting of mine, my advice to you, the reader of my comment, to read the novel. And if you don't like to read, then go ahead and watch the movie. You won't understand anything in a truly committed way like you would if you read the novel.