This truly is a movie version of what I imagined as I read Dan Brown's best-seller; for good and bad.

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2006)

The Da Vinci Code Critics have been complaining about the pacing in "The Da Vinci Code." Dull, I've heard. But I have to say that it's quite entertaining despite its running time - approximately 148 minutes.
This truly is a movie version of what I imagined as I read Dan Brown's best-seller; for good and bad. Hence, if you liked what you read... I'm still amused by the fact that people around me took Brown's novel seriously. People who usually are skeptics believed some of the stuff because Brown blurred the line between fact and fiction. I want this stuff to be true, and the world would be a more interesting place if it were. But it's a cock-and-bull story if there ever was one. That becomes even more evident as we see the movie. This is a more straight-faced version of Indiana Jones. Dr. Jones for the ones who consider themselves too old for the archeologist's adventures.
As I see the film I sense that this is an architectural construction; it's lifeless and the people involved made it for the money. Still it's useful for entertainment. These actors, who are otherwise great at what they do, hold back and you can practically see dollar signs in their eyes. Ian McKellen can do this stuff in his sleep, Tom Hanks has acknowledged that he made it for the money, Jean Reno literally sleepwalks as Captain Fache; the acting is competent, but these guys don't seem the least bit hungry.
"The Da Vinci Code" is good entertainment. Even though I know all the twists and turns beforehand, and despite the lack of passion from the cast and crew.
THREE STARS *** Note: The newspaper article with the picture of Sophie Neveus family before the car crash... is the brother Clint Howard? Sure looked like his ugly face.