Fine adventure tale.

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2006)

I had not read the best selling novel of all time (next to the Bible of course) before seeing this film, and still have not finished it. The book gives much more information and adds a more believable structure to the plot of Jesus Christ having a child. But the film does well enough and is quite enjoyable adventure romp much like Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Why people are so angry at the thought of Jesus being a MAN, of being married and having a child. It was not written in the Bible and therefore people do not find the idea of the Bible being as much a book as The DaVinci Code is acceptable. I look not to anger people, but the result of a simple film (aptly labeled fiction) boggles my mind.
Acting: 9/10
Almost every actor in this film does a scrumptious job with the roles they are given. If I were Ron Howard (which I am not), I wouldn't have thought of Tom Hanks. Yet Howard did and Hanks gives a fulfilling performance. Audrey Tautou is an actress I didn't even know existed. But someone did and props to them, for without them Tautou's lovely performance wouldn't be. Alfred Molina, whom is a great actor, does decently, but really serves as more of a distraction in such a small role. Sir Ian McKellen gives a very fun performance. Be it a wizard, Shakespeare, or big magnetic villain, McKellen does what McKellen does: He does well. Paul Bettany (reuniting with A Beautiful Mind director Howard) does an incredible job. Again, I don't look at Bettany and immediately snap my fingers and say "Yep! He should play an albino!" but he pulls it all off well. Jean Reno is the go to guy for French characters. And any charm he had has worn off. I am tired of always seeing Jean Reno play Jean Reno in EVERY French role. He isn't an Oscar winner, and the typecast leaves no originality to his characters. With so much fun and unexpected casting, I expected Ron Howard and Co. to pick a better choice. At least everyone else does well.
Writing: 8/10
The books endless stream of information is quite shortened to fit the 2 and a half hour limit of the film, and there is still a large amount of information to behold, and deciphering it in but 150 minutes is fun, challenging, and enjoyable. With so little competition this year, I sense a 'Best Adapted Screenplay' Oscar nomination around the corner.
Directing: 8/10
There is a tad too much cheese in some scenes, here and there a scene is overdone or undercooked. Yet overall we have delicious visuals, action, and intrigue. Sorry Ronny, but no Oscar is a-coming this year, but well done to you for a fine job.
Visual Effects: Not too much is done CGI in this one, but there are several scenes that include and they are all very realistic. Nothing revolutionary, but they pull an "oooohh" and "awwww" here and there. 8/10
Cinematography: 10/10
The film is simply scrumptiously shot. The lighting, the color palette, the locations, the hand-held. All bloody well done. An Oscar nomination (and possibly win) is here waiting.
Score: 9/10
Fantastic. I could have used a little more power to the music in this one, but it catches the thriller and adventure feel perfect. This is definitely one of 2006's best scores (along with Hans Zimmer's stunning score for Pirates Of The Caribbean). Yet another Oscar nom is here. Though in the end I think Mr. Zimmer will either lose it to another, or possibly to himself for Pirates.
This film is quite flawed, but seriously entertaining. This one leaves you engrossed in the adventure, not critiquing.
Diagnosis: B+