Good adaptation, but kind of unnecessary

Rating: 7/10 (29 May 2006)

Based on the world-wide bestseller by Dan Brown.
A bizarre murder in the Louvre leads a professor of the study of symbols and a young Parisian policewoman to uncover a long hidden secret. One that, if uncovered, will shake the foundations of Christianity and give much of World History a whole new meaning. Various other parties are also interested in this hidden truth and forces clash to get a hold of it.
As far as adaptations go, this is a good one. Doesn't stray at all from the book and Director Ron Howard keeps the book's quick pace flowing very well on screen in addition to finding a perfect cast for the film. Each actor fits their role seamlessly, especially Paul Bettany as Silas. Naturally, the book has more information and anecdotes, but the film's story manages to take in and present all that was most important and interesting in the source material.
This is also the film's biggest problem. It is JUST LIKE THE BOOK. So many people have read the book, so many people have read into other sources that support the book and the theory that the film represents is known virtually worldwide now thanks to the book. So... why make a movie about it? Cash in? Most likely. Also the very last shot seems to wander a little too far and goes to state the obvious from what everything that preceded it has implied.
That aside, the film is very well made with stellar production values and yet another epic score by the one and only Hans Zimmer. So fans of the book (all 2389589249084 of you) will undoubtedly enjoy this movie, just don't expect anything truly new. You've seen/heard it all before, but seeing it on screen is sure nice. 7/10
Rated PG-13: violent content