Very Impressive, but the book is better...

Rating: 9/10 (18 October 2006)

Like millions worldwide, I've read the book and found it amazing. I waited anxiously to see this in theaters. i saw it opening weekend, and I have to say that I was impressed with the film. It followed very closely to the book. I honestly have to say that over 90% of it followed the book, which is very rare to most films based off of books.
For those of you who don't know what the Da Vinci code is about, it is a controversial tale of the fact that Jesus was married, and that there was a bloodline that ran to the modern-day.
The film, like the book opens with a savage murder of a clergyman in Paris, France. A specialist in religion and mythology, Rob Langdon (Tom Hanks) is called in to help with the investigation. Unfortunately, the truth be told, he's under investigation for the murder. But as fate has, a French detective, Sophie Nevereu (Audrey Tatou) believes his innocence, and thus begins the quest in search for the holy grail.
I don't want to say anymore, for I'll spoil the film. But basically, these two go on mission that involves the biggest, religious cover up in history. The film has an all star cast such as: Sir Ian McKellan, who is flat-out excellent as Teabing, Paul Bettany, who gives a creepy feeling of the albino monk Silas, Capt. Fache (jean Reno), who is also great, and many more faces.
This film was excellent. As previously said, it follows the book very closely, it's acting is superb, and i also have to add that the film-making quality was great too. the cinematography use of blended colors gave an eerie, religious feeling, the music by the ultimate Hans Zimmer, had the same effect as the cinematography, and the other technical uses and set-decoration was fabulous.
After saying all that, there was some negative sides to it as well. first off, it was a slow movie. The book was a page-turner, but the film didn't have that quick pace as I thought it would, and also some of the story was left out, especially at the finale which made me feel disappointed. I know most producers feel that they have to rush the end of film's, but that's no exception for a film like this! Besides those two problems, the film was fantastic in my mind, and is one of this year's best films. overall rating ***1/2 out of **** I have to warn, it is controversial on religion, and many maybe offended by it. To me though, it is just entertainment that flew very well.