The best movie I have ever seen...

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2006)

My Review of The Da Vinci Code and it does contain SPOILERS:
I didn't read the book, so this review is simply based on the movieperiod. I'll stop just shy of calling this the best movie I have ever seen. What the heck, I will say it. This is the best movie I have ever seen. Maybe it's because I studied art history in college, maybe it's because I love history and mysteries, maybe it's because I struggle with my own faith, maybe it's because I'm a nerd, or maybe a combination of all these things. Not sure. In any case, from the very beginning the movie moved quickly and kept my attention all the way through. I was literally on the edge of my seat and just shaking. I felt loads of tension from every sequence taking place during the film. There was so much going on, so much I tried to focus on to make sure I didn't miss anything. I don't want to give too much away, but here are just a few thoughts and there ARE spoilers:
1. They introduced Sophie as the Police Cryptographer and as the movie progressed and we learned who she was, how she was raised, etc. I expected her talent in this area to be explored more. Instead, Langdon solved 99.9% of the puzzles or codes. That was a loss in my opinion, as if she was just there for the eye candy and back story.
2. In no way is Opus Dei shown to be this powerful, clandestine, fanatical group of Catholics. What is shown is ONE council of men made up of Catholic bishops who happen to be Opus Dei. Again, I have not read the book, but based on the film, this is just a splinter group that may or may not have the authority and backing of Opus Dei proper, and definitely not the Catholic Church, which the movie makes very clear.
3. As a Christian, the movie makes me think. Is it likely to change my mind about my faith? No. I'm not afraid of pondering the possibilities and accepting the idea that many people do believe this story as legitimate. That doesn't affect my own faith unless I let it. To me, it's simply an excellent, excellent historical thriller, i.e. fictional with some major genuine historical threads.
4. Again, not reading the book, I'm not sure what was changed, but I have a hard time accepting Fache's/Parisian Police Chief's reaction to the Bishop when he realized what was going on. Having built up this supposed Opus Dei cult-like phenomenon, it was hard to accept him not going along with everything the entire way like a good devotee of this system of beliefs.
5. I still don't understand why or how Christianity, after the death of Christ and the supposed charge to Mary Magdalene to carry on His church would turn into a pagan faith and result in that whole scene where Sophie witnesses her grandfather and the members of the Priory of Sion engaged in ritualistic sex. It just doesn't jibe to me, but I need to read the book.
6. Ian McKellan is a most excellent actor. That is all.
7. Brown did his work, as did R. Howard, I'm sure. The info about the Templars, etc. fit with some National Geographic and Discovery Channel documentaries I've seen. It all makes sense to a degree.
I want to see this again and again. I can't wait for the DVD to come out. I am so, so glad I didn't allow negative reviews to prevent my seeing it for myself. I don't know what movie they saw, but it's not the one I just came from.
GO SEE IT! You won't be sorry.