Illegitimi nil carborundum

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2006)

A good movie, not great. It rattled along well enough to keep one interested, but a little too quickly to delve into any one of the many issues and characters - the main intent seeming to be to cover as much of the book as possible within a reasonable time.
Comparing it with other "chase across Europe" films, Da Vinci Code has none of the pace or viewer involvement of Ronin or either of the Bournes.
Considering the number of other supposedly controversial movies released over the years, I was amazed to realize this is the first film I've seen where I encountered people demonstrating against the movie. And what a sorry bunch they were.
It's ironic that many of the religious bigots who ARE offended by Da Vinci Code were just last year defending The Passion of the Christ against criticism from Jewish groups for the offense that film caused them.
As other reviewers have said, this film is a work of fiction. The story may shine a light on certain questionable facets of Christianity (like Constantine's handy reworking of pagan rites and dates), but that stuff is more anti-Catholic than anti-Christian.