Leonardo We Hardly Knew Ye

Rating: 6/10 (16 November 2008)

As a ritualistic murder is committed, in Paris' Louvre museum, Harvard "Professor of Religious Symbology" Tom Hanks (as Robert Langdon) delivers a lecture on "The Interpretation of Symbols". Naturally, as a famed symbologist, Mr. Hanks is called upon, to help investigate the murder. Assisting Hanks is pretty police cryptologist Audrey Tautou (as Sophie Neveu). Ms. Tautou immediately hooks up with Hanks; and, the two quickly turn from investigators to investigated. Meanwhile, fanatical self-flogging murderer Paul Bettany (as Silas) eludes capture
Writer Dan Brown's storyline is a grand one; and, director Ron Howard's film adaptation of "The DaVinci Code" is definitely well-produced. Still, it's neither as successful nor startling as the book. If you've managed to stay unfamiliar with the main plot revelations, they should be apparent by the time Ian McKellen (as Leigh Teabing) pontificates. Mr. McKellen and Mr. Bettany effectively play their showy supporting roles. Hans Zimmer contributes a marvelous soundtrack. Until something better comes along, this version of the story is intriguing, at least.
****** The DaVinci Code (2006) Ron Howard ~ Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Paul Bettany