So oppressive the dark of night

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2006)

Just watched an advance preview of this movie.
Damn, you westerners certainly get to watch earlier, even though we belong in the 'faster' time-zone.
Anyway, this is a review for someone who ACTUALLY watched the movie - not read the novel before, and not just post comments which should have been posted in the message boards in the first place.
The initial impression when I watched the film was how oppressively dark the movie was - I meant since almost 3/4 of the film took place at night, it stretches the believability factor some what. How can you run around France, and solving clues, evading the police and opening safe deposit boxes etc and yet it's still night? But still, I like the movie, though I wish the pacing can be faster - the momentum is lost. I believe Ron Howard is trying to squeeze as much of the source material as he can into the movie. And he also added elements of debate between Robert and Teabing so that the audience know that, the theories that were brought up are just that theories. Remember people it's a work of FICTION! But I can see why some people from the Church will be upset. It put them in a very bad light - as murderous, deviant and would do anything to protect their faith, even obfuscating the truth - the holy bloodline theory would be blasphemous to say the least.
As for comment on acting, I would say the story overshadows everything. There's a lot of dialogue to wade thru, so much so there really isn't much room for the actors to truly shine. Though it's refreshing to see Sir Ian Mckellen in a villainous role.
So folks, I think it's an entertainment movie. Worth the price of a movie ticket for sure.