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The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Director: Ron Howard

Certificate: The Da Vinci Code was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 15 years of age or upwards. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = mild. Language = mild.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:  The Da Vinci Code

  Review

There has been much discussion and controversy over Dan Brown's book 'The Da Vinci Code' which was written in such a way that readers questioned whether the ideas put forward were fact or fiction.  These ideas questioned some fundamental beliefs of the Christian Church.  However, if you are expecting great revelations from this film you might be disappointed as The Da Vinci Code is essentially an entertaining thriller/mystery story.

Da Vinci Code
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Starting with the murder of Jacques Savniere, the curator of the Louvre, director Ron Howard remains, on the whole, faithful to the book.  What follows the murder is basically a treasure hunt with puzzles and riddles for historian Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and French agent Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) to follow.  They discover that the trail is leading them to no other than the treasure-of-treasures; the Holy Grail.  We're getting into Indiana Jones territory now!

Reading the book one would think that it provides perfect material for a film with each chapter bringing intriguing revelations and cliff-hangers but strangely this intrigue and suspense isn't captured in the film.  Perhaps by being faithful to the book Ron Howard had to much detail to incorporate, and the atmosphere suffers as a result.

The start of the film seems to lack energy, and it plods along quite slowly.  It's only later that the pace picks up and things really get interesting.

Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellan, Jean Reno and Paul Bettany make for a fine cast.  However, Tom Hanks creates a somewhat emotionless character who doesn't show enough surprise or awe as amazing events unfold.  It is Ian McKellan who plays Holy Grail hunter, Sir Leigh Teabing, and Paul Bettany who plays the murderous monk Silas who provide some lively character.

Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno also play their parts well.  French agent Captain Fache, played by Reno, is one step behind Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) and Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) on their dangerous treasure hunt.

Bottom Line: Is the film ever as good as the book?  Not in this case anyway, but it is an entertaining thriller.  The book, and the way in which it is written, is more inclined to make the reader think about, and question, some of the ideas put forward.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  RON HOWARD: The Grinch (2000),  A Beautiful Mind (2001),  The Missing (2003),  Cinderella Man (2005).  TOM HANKS: The Green Mile (1999),  Cast Away (2000),  Road To Perdition (2002),  Catch Me If You Can (2002),  The Ladykillers (2004),  The Terminal (2004).  IAN MCKELLAN:  The Lord Of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001),  Lord Of The Rings - The Two Towers (2002),  The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003).  PAUL BETTANY:  A Knight's Tale (2001),   A Beautiful Mind (2001),  Master and Commander (2003),  Wimbledon (2004).  ALFRED MOLINA: Identity (2003),  Spiderman 2 (2004).

Main Cast

Tom Hanks

Audrey Tautou

Ian McKellan

Jean Reno

Paul Bettany

Alfred Molina

RATING

WORTH A WATCH

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