Purposely Offbase?

Rating: 5/10 (1 June 2006)

Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of the book for many reasons. Theology aside, the research of history, art and architecture was shoddy at best, which would not be so bad if Brown did not claim that so much inside was factual which turned out not to be. Also, Brown stated in a press conference that the DaVinci Code represents history as he has come to understand it, so we cannot continue under the ubiquitous "it's meant to be FICTION, people" guise.
When I first saw the movie, I was sadly disappointed at Ron Howard's spineless approach to the controversy. I mean, if you're going to take on a subject at the height of it's media frenzy, do it all the way, I say. But Howard portrayed Langdon, a Harvard professor who should exude an air of confidence and probably some conceit about his deep knowledge of his life's work, as wishy-washy and more than a little skeptical about the whole idea of secret societies. And the other "expert," Sir Leigh Teabing? A raving lunatic! (Played expertly as always, by Ian McClellan) Foaming at the mouth, practically wetting himself every time he gets the chance to present false testimony.
I must say that Howard's version is good for the church - who in their right mind would put any stock whatsoever in Brown's rantings now? It might as well have been Dan Brown himself driving off in the police cruiser. Which leads me to believe that maybe I was wrong about Ron Howard's intentions for this movie.
Howard said from the beginning that the reason he accepted the project was to film in exotic locations that few have ever been given access to, such as the Louvre. He's never really proclaimed any loyalty to the story, except when he refused to add a disclaimer to the credits. Perhaps that's because he knew it wouldn't need one, being so off-base. Could it be that Howard balanced his remaining Opie-like ethics with that hint of Hollywood selfishness that told him he would never get the chance to see the Mona Lisa alone again? I'll hold on to that glimmer of hope and give the film 2 more stars than I would have without it.