The Da Vinci Code: Movie Review

The Da Vinci Code (DVC) movie continues to do well at the box office - it is currently in second place in the United States, and has enjoyed even stronger ticket sales worldwide.... Having read (and enjoyed the book, I went to see the movie - and was hoping that it would be a great movie - but it wasn't. Don't misunderstand me - this is not a bad movie - it is just not the great movie that I hoped it would be....

The continued popularity of this movie underscores the fact that there is something about the DVC story (based on the best selling book by Author Dan Brown) that has captured the minds of people everywhere. I personally enjoyed reading the book, but never believed that the basic gist of the story could be true (Dan Brown weaves a tale where Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, who at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, was carrying his child - which if found to be true - has some incredible implications).

I enjoyed following the clues along with the lead characters as they tried to make sense of the ever deepening story and plot coined "The Da Vinci Code" (from so-called hidden clues and messages that artist Leonardo Da Vinci had left in his famous painting, "The Last Supper").

About half way through the movie I was reminded what a huge task it is to take a novel like the DVC and convert it into a workable (and enjoyable) screenplay. Although I can't point to all of the reasons why, the movie did not work as well as the book did. I know that I can't blame all of the movies shortcomings on screenplay writer Akiva Goldsman (who has enjoyed previous success and academy award recognition).

The movie is comprised of many good elements: Popular actor Tom Hanks plays the lead character Robert Langdon (I liked his roles in many of the films that he has starred in), who is joined by a slew of a handful of talented actors (including solid acting by Sir Ian McClellan as Holy Grail expert Sir Leigh Teabing) , filming on location (spots that I would want to see for the first time or re-visit), rich photography, a good musical score (by Hans Zimmer), coupled with the directing skills of Ron Howard.

You would think that a movie, based on such a popular book (the DVC is now the number- two all time best-selling paperback book - outsold only by the Bible!), would have been an absolute smash hit (Sony Pictures pumped up pre-release interest in this movie - by some good marketing and also by putting a lid on any advance info being leaked prior to the films premiere opening). The sum of all these elements never seem to come together to produce a movie that is at least half as enjoyable or exciting as the book.

The lack of solid character development (especially for the 2 lead roles) made following the lead characters on their path of discovery a mediocre journey at best, and boring at worst. Tom Hanks never quite nails the role of the lead character Robert Teabing. He often comes off both wooden and flat as he attempts to deliver his lines (and this is being written by a person who has truly enjoyed many of Tom's previous and more memorable roles). His interaction with co-star Audrey Tautou (who plays Sophie Neveu) is lukewarm. This tone is somewhat understandable, as Sophie is the stranger, who into a crime scene (purporting to be someone who needs help to solve a mystery of biblical proportions) and expecting to be believed - and followed - is a stretch - which takes more than the movie could offer in order to make this tale believable (even though the book somehow did).

The movie takes the viewer on an almost never ending gallop from location to location as the characters are piecing together "The Da Vinci Code". In addition to these places of interest, their are some key moments in the film that help the viewer better understand the genius of Da Vinci (as it ties into "The Code"), including the "Cryptex" - a special metal and wood secret code only entry chamber that contains a concealed message written on papyrus, and potentially ruined by the enclosed vial of vinegar - if broken by the entry of a wrong code (made me want to examine both the inventions and art of Leonardo Da Vinci all over again!). Seeing the Louve Museum was also fascinating - with the screen shots of numerous works of art, including the famous Mona Lisa (one of the most recognizable paintings in the world, and a Da Vinci classic).

I don't know if I would have perceived the film much differently if I had not read the book prior to seeing the movie, as the difficulty of following all of the details and clues, without having had the time to already absorb some of the material, may have made it even harder to watch.

I had hoped that this movie would be as good (or as fun to follow) as the book - but this was not to be. I still think that it is a good film to see, as the movie tackles some issues and covers some ground that provides some rich food for discussion (for more info see The Da Vinci Code News blog on HollywoodJesus.com).

My advice: if you have not read the book yet - consider reading it - and then also consider viewing the film. Don't expect the movie to be as good as the book - but listen carefully to what is said (literally, read in between the lines) - and then follow the clues to see if they lead you to any of the same conclusions as portrayed in the movie. I won't list the many good resources that are available - as the books that have been written about the original DVC book are numerous and easy to access (check out the group of essays posted on the HollywoodJesus website that provide a good deal of info for those who want to follow the clues).

Even though the content of the movie is pure fiction (just like the book), people have wondered and asked themselves, "what if?". After checking out some of the clues, as presented in both the movie and the book, you will discover that there is no veracity to the story as told - proving that this work of fiction is - simply, a work of fiction (even if Author Dan Brown makes it seem otherwise).

United 93

—1. Overview
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters (Airplanes)
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads

“United 93� – is an important movie to see, but very difficult to watch. Even though the tragic events of 9/11 have been seared into my heart and mind, this movie served, albeit painfully, to provide me with an inside glimpse of the suffering and hurt that so many people experienced on this fateful day.

A Real Honest Movie

Director & Screenplay Writer Paul Greengrass deserves credit for making a movie that tells the dramatic story of the 4th hijacked plane on 9/11 in a realistic and non-sensational manner. This movie is a real time account of the United 93, from the dual vantage point of inside and outside the plane, as passengers, crew, and air-traffic controllers understand and respond to the unfolding events. The hopes, dreams and plans of the passengers contrasted with the acute tension of the hijackers serves as a dramatic backdrop for the story that unfolds as the movie progresses. (Yes, artistic license is taken to fill in the missing gaps of the story, but this is handled well and the dialogue is believable and provides some valuable insights into what it must have been like to be aboard this airplane as the flight progressed).

As I watched the story of the passengers and crew of United 93, held hostage by a group of religious extremists, and their struggle to stay alive – I began to identify with those who would eventually lose their lives on this mournful and fateful day. Throughout the movie I could not help but to continually flash back in my mind to September 11, 2001 – when I, along with the rest of the nation gradually became aware of what was transpiring –right before our very eyes. This film provides a clear view into what the passengers and crew of United 93 must have been thinking as they too began to realize what was happening.


Spectator vs. Participant

The big difference here is that I have been a spectator on both occasions – and that the passengers and crew who experienced this never lived to personally tell their story.

It is has been often said that the best way to understand someone else is to put yourself into their shoes- this film allows the viewer to do this – and for a tension filled 111 minutes this movie offers a glimpse into what it must have felt like to BE one of the passengers on United flight 93. The awful and bleak reality slowly creeps into the minds and hearts of the flight 93’s passengers and crew – as they realize that the hijackers are crazed zealots who have no intention of ending this ordeal except through suicide.

Prior to the film’s release there was a good amount of talk that the filmmakers were merely attempting to make a quick buck by capitalizing on the events of United 93. With this in mind I went to check out this movie – and was not sure if I would walk away with a similar opinion.

After viewing this movie I am disturbed and upset – not at the filmmakers – but conversely at the hijackers and those who support their cause. I don’t define courage by taking your own life – and taking others to the grave with you in the process. It takes an immense amount for courage to realize that you and those with you are going to die – and then decide to do something about it.


Heroes for Today

Heroes seem to be in short supply these days – but I think that the passengers and crew of United 93 can be considered heroes. It takes courage to do something about a very difficult situation, and it takes great skill to work together w/ a group of strangers – when you life is being threatened. The passengers and crew of United 93 demonstrated extreme courage under extreme pressure- and every American can be both proud and grateful that this group of people had the strength of character to look evil straight into the eye and fight.

A small group of passengers and flight attendants teamed together in an attempt to alter the destructive course of the hijacked airplane. Although everyone on United 93 met a fiery death – plowing nose first into the ground – their actions set an example of courage for every American who enjoys the freedoms and liberties available in our nation.

In United 93, Filmmaker Paul Greengrass provides each of us a very clear and poignant record of what happened, and because he did such a good job – we can better understand the sacrifice that was made on that day and why it is so important for each of us to work together to hopefully prevent another tragedy like this.

This movie is a cinematic record, very well executed, reminding each of us that freedom is not free – and it sometimes requires incredible sacrifice to maintain (after seeing this movie it was not difficult for me to connect the sacrifices made by the passengers and crew, to the incredible sacrifice that God made when he sent His Son to suffer in our place – so that all of us who are a part of the human race, can have true freedom, both in this life – and in the one to come).

— Overview