Great mystery based on Brown's novel.

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2014)

This is a great mystery film based on Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code, where Symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is caught in a web surrounding the murder of Jacques Saunière, who is part of a secret society sworn to protect the Holy Grail. Cryptologist and Saunière's granddaughter Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) teams with Landon and discover clues within Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, which lead to to a journey to solve the mystery within the Holy Grail while trying to dodge villains along the way.
Akiva Goldsman wrote a solid screenplay which I thought followed Brown's novel very well. Tom Hanks, Sophie Neveu, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno and Paul Bettany all did a fabulous job in their respective character roles, providing substance, chemistry and drama, with a touch of much-needed comedy relief (like the part where Neveu touches a pool of water with her foot, hoping it would turn into wine). Hands down to the visual effects team for some neat picture work; I especially loved the European feel, panning around England and France's classic-style buildings, especially the capture of the Arc de Triomphe.
Ron Howard directed a film which I thought was captivating and mesmerizing, from Langdon and Neveu running around Paris in the dark of night, trying to hide from the French police, to them following clue after clue, hoping to lead themselves to the mystery being solved (you can't help but follow the mission with them and share in the thrills). It's a good Hollywood cliché of adventure, mystery and suspense that should keep the audience entertained and guessing at the story's main plot.
Grade A