A bit dull but true to the book's story

Rating: 5/10 (26 May 2006)

I found the Da Vinci Code a little dull. As has been mentioned by many people, it was a definite "The book was better" scenario. However, unlike many of those type of films, this film stuck pretty rigidly to the book apart from a couple of things (aspects of the end and the 'library'!).
Acting / casting.
Tom Hanks - didn't think he was the right man for the role really. My image of Robert Langdon from the books was a little more 'macho'. Having said that, he played it fairly well.
Audrey Tautou - pretty good casting. They made her a little dippier (U.S. - ditzy?) than I imagined. She didn't seem too clever for a cryptologist.
Jean Reno - perfect casting. Didn't feature enough though.
Ian McKellen - wasn't sure about this casting but it worked very well.
Paul Bettany - fantastically played role. Very different to previous films.
As a church-going Christian, although not particularly offended myself, I can see why many people are, especially members of Opus Dei (which I know nothing about). I think the reason most people are upset about this film is that viewers are so ready to accept it as fact (although Ron Howard has clearly stated it is fiction). Why is it that the general public will so readily accept a conspiracy theory that the church is in on a huge cover-up rather than the simple truth that the church are the modern-day followers of Christ who want to see his principles of forgiveness, love for God and love for fellow man continued? Dan Brown's attack on the divinity of Christ and on the integrity of the church are what has upset people so much. Also, Sophie's line - "Your God doesn't forgive murderers" goes completely against the whole principle of forgiveness.
All in all, a mediocre film but watching it MAY help you to understand the media hype around it a little. My advice would be to watch it as fiction and hope to enjoy it.