Don't go, don't think of going, very weak indeed

Rating: 1/10 (26 May 2006)

Never have I seen a movie with so much anticipated word-of-mouth with such potential and broad appeal for the general movie-going public, and which benefited from so many resources as far as stars, budget, and publicity that fell so unequivocally flat on its face.
I don't know what movie most of the people in this comments sections saw, but it wasn't the one I nearly fell asleep during. Yes I read the book, which was "just OK," but I said, this one will make a better movie. What a dud. Never again an Akiva Goldsman /Ron Howard picture -- NEVER AGAIN.
In one sentence: the only thing good about this movie are the French.
SPOILERS: And where were the performances? A platinum blonde Bettany feigning an Italian whisper was laughable, even Tom the great just writes the performance in. No one took it seriously with the exception of the secondary characters.
SPOILERS: And will someone please tell Ron Howard to stop using Disney effects and learn once and for all that the audience is much more intelligent than he gives them credit for. I don't want to see glow in the dark letters and numbers, and stars twinkling in the sky. I want to see numbers, on paper, or where they sit. (See "Proof", "Indiana Jones" for examples) Real hard numbers. Let me use my brain, please!
Where is Spielberg from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" when you need him? You didn't see him putting glow in the dark numbers in movies for Adults. And the suspense of Spielberg's own Church scene in the aforementioned Crusade, put all the direction in this movie to shame. There was no thriller here, no suspense.
A grand disappointment to all movie buffs who were waiting to be wowed.
Really sad.