Delightful thriller. Minor logic 'problems', but belief stuff aside, this is a brilliant and rousing chunk of movie magic and movie fun!

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2006)

The spiritual 'truths' of 'The Da Vinci Code' are not the point. What does seem more important, and worthy of our consideration vis-a-vis the movie, is the phenomenon whereby whenever something powerfully new is in the offing, and then the old-school die-hards resist it. It seems to be a story about how humans will do virtually any evil thing to protect their ego's stand on whatever topic is at hand.
This movie is not anti-Catholic. The so-called 'codes' and secret societies depicted in the movie are illogical, and pure hooey, in my opinion. I personally think that whole aspect is silly. I have read the book, and thought it was all pretty silly then, too. Upon seeing the movie, I was not convinced otherwise.
Having a world-wide religion broaden its base, and begin to appeal to the feminine, to the Universal Mother principle, is undoubtedly a very good thing. Perhaps some version of this, minus the hokem and hooey of Dan Brown's book, of course, is in fact The Next Big Step for mankind.
That aside, the movie itself is extremely well made. It is very effective, well acted, and an exciting way to spend an afternoon or an evening. I heard some homegrown English critics on BBC Radio 4 this past Friday, reviewing it. One woman said she was gratified that the British actors acquitted themselves admirably, especially contrasted to the timid and hesitant character played by Tom Hanks. As much as her pride in the British actors was well-placed, her panning and criticising of Tom Hanks was unfounded, and grossly unfair. The character he was portraying WAS a timid and hesitant character. He played an academic who was swept up in a storm of mistaken identities and mistaken guilts and purposes. This is called 'act-ing', and is what a great actor such as Hanks excels at doing. I thought Hanks did a fabulous job of being someone--- an intelligent, well educated, and basically good and wholesome someone--- who got caught in events way beyond his control, that he neither understood nor could control. Audrey Tatou (Sp?), the French actress who played the other main character, also did a wonderful job. It was refreshing first to hear her speak English (because I speak English, of course). Second, it was nice to see her play a 'real' person this time, rather than the simpering fluffs she played in 'Amelie' and another role I cannot remember the name of just now.
Ian McKellan was amazing, as usual. Isn't funny that it now seems that he is in HALF the movies coming out of Hollywood these days? He deserves the success, as he is a great and sturdy actor. Paul Bettany, also in director Ron Howard's previous film, 'A Beautiful Mind', was great, as was Alfred Molina--- who continues to defy categorization as to his nationality. Funny, the BBC 4 Brit-praising critic did not mention him! Molina is such a chamelion--- another great actor. He is a native Londoner, and his generic Euro-Dark looks allow him to repeatedly play Frenchmen, Spaniards, Italians, or whomever else the script (and subsequent paycheck!!!) calls for.
The cast--- superb all around. Marvelous! So, forget the churchy stuff, or not, as you will. But do leave your logical brain at the door, and you'll have a wonderful time at the movies with 'The Da Vinci Code'.