Angels & Demons (movie)

Angels & Demons is a 2009 American thriller movie. It was directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon. The story is based on the novel Angels & Demons by Dan Brown.

The film follows Langdon as he helps investigate a murder at CERN and a plot that threatens the Vatican during a papal conclave. The movie was released in May 2009 and was distributed by Columbia Pictures.

 Plot 
After a scientist is found dead at CERN in Switzerland, a dangerous substance called antimatter disappears. An Illuminati symbol burned into the dead scientist's body makes people think the secret group still exists. Robert Langdon is called to help solve the crime. The story takes place during the papal conclave in Rome and follows Langdon as he searches for answers and tries to stop more murders.

 Cast 
 Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon
 Ayelet Zurer as Dr. Vittoria Vetra
 Ewan McGregor as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Carlo Ventresca in the book)
 Stellan Skarsgård as Commander Maximilian Richter
 Pierfrancesco Favino as Inspector Ernesto Olivetti
 Armin Mueller-Stahl as Cardinal Strauss
 Nikolaj Lie Kaas as the Assassin
 Thure Lindhardt as Lieutenant Chartrand
 David Pasquesi as Claudio Vicenzi
 Cosimo Fusco as Archbishop Simeon
 Victor Alfieri as Lieutenant Valenti
 Carmen Argenziano as Father Silvano Bentivoglio
 Marco Fiorini as Cardinal Baggia / Pope Lucas
 Bob Yerkes as Cardinal Guidera
 Franklin Amobi as Cardinal Lamassé
 Curt Lowens as Cardinal Ebner
 Todd Schneider as Carabiniere
 Alfred Molina as Narrator

 Production 
In 2003, Sony Pictures got the film rights to Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. After the success of The Da Vinci Code, Sony hired Akiva Goldsman to write a script for Angels & Demons.

 Reception 
The film had mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a moderate score, with critics saying it is an exciting ride but not always believable. Audiences gave more mixed opinions. Filming was planned to start in early 2008 but was delayed by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. David Koepp later rewrote the script. Filming began on 4 June 2008 in Rome. Other parts were shot at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Some church interiors were built on sets because the Catholic Church did not allow filming in its churches.

 Filming locations 
 Rome, Italy
 Sony Pictures Studios, Los Angeles, USA
 The Palace of Caserta stood in for the interior of the Vatican in some scenes.
 The Biblioteca Angelica was used to represent the Vatican Library.

 Controversy and boycott 
Some leaders of the Catholic Church criticized the film. The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano said the Church could not approve the movie. There were calls for a boycott by some Church figures. However, past calls to boycott similar films had little effect on audience interest.

 References 

 Other websites 
 Angels & Demons on Letterboxd
 Angels & Demons on IMDb

Category:2009 movies
Category:American thriller movies
Category:Movies directed by Ron Howard
Category:Movies based on works by Dan Brown
Category:Movies set in Rome
Category:Movies set in Switzerland
Category:Movies set in the Vatican
Category:Columbia Pictures movies
Category:Movies scored by Hans Zimmer
Category:Movies shot in Rome
Category:Movies shot in Los Angeles