By Edwin Hopkins
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 Being a passionate cinephile, my interest in Dan Brown’s phenomenal best seller, The Da Vinci Code was sparked only
when I found out it was being made into a major motion picture. But instead of buying the actual book, I bought the unabridged audio book edition and listened to actor Paul Michael read and interpret it.

Now, three years since it’s publication, millions of copies sold around the world, many websites and over 40 anti-Da Vinci Code books later, the much anticipated movie version has hit theaters. While I adamantly disagree with the basic premises of the book and film, I must also differ from the initial reactions of many critics who must have seen another version. They describe it as being stodgy, slow, boring. Maybe it wouldn’t have gotten such a bashing if Tom Hanks had been more like IMF agent Ethan Hunt, swinging from the Eiffel Tower firing an AK-47 rather than famous Harvard Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon. This film has more momentum than plenty others I’ve been unfortunate enough to see.

Ron Howard, whose superb directorial efforts finally harvested an overdue Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, has created a grand suspense thriller mistaken by some as a 2 ½ hour lecture. He painstakingly remains faithful to Dan Brown’s novel yet never lets things get bogged down. The numerous conversations and parleying of subjects regarding the Holy Grail, Da Vinci’s Last Supper et al. were interspersed with enough action to keep me well engaged. He takes full advantage of historical locations, reuniting with cinematographer Salvatore Totino (Cinderella Man, The Missing) and using his skillful lighting and shadow and grainy stock photography (for flashbacks) to increase the tension.

Many actors besides Tom Hanks, I’m sure, could’ve handled being Robert Langdon (not sure about that hair though). Some friends and I at the library were discussing several possibilities. No doubt, this is not Hanks’ finest role. Forrest Gump was. Evenwith the odd hairdo, he’s soundly believable as a Harvard professor and lecturer of the newly created science of symbology. If you’ve read the book, you know that Langdon is not exactly the action hero type and neither is Tom Hanks.

In contrast, Audrey Tautou was probably just right for Sophie Neveu, Langdon’s plucky ally in solving this mystery. She brings that same soft ,charming determination to Sauniere’s granddaughter as she did for Turkish immigrant Senay Gelic in Dirty Pretty Things. In one scene, Audrey’s Sophie gets so intense, it scares you a little.

Dan Brown’s heavies were well represented. Paul Bettany’s Silas bore some resemblance to Rosalinda Celentano’s Satan inThe Passion of the Christ barely recognizable under that pale skin; and even as devout Bishop Aringarosa I couldn’t help but to be reminded of Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus.

I’d be absolutely remiss if I didn’t mention Sir Ian McKellen’s Leah Teabing. After playing such stellar roles as Gandalf and Magneto, an English aristocrat seems nearly insignificant. McKellen is so endearing in this part, sometimes you forget he’s
crippled. He provides some of the funniest moments in the movie, especially the banter between him and Langdon thanks to Akiva Goldsman’s bright script.

One constant in my cinemania is musical soundtrack appreciation. While trying to take in all aspects of films, personally, the score has always stood out from the rest. And Han Zimmer’s is no exception. His powerful themes, accompanied by The Choir of the Kings Consort bring a Solid cohesiveness to The Da Vinci Code, thankfully without being obtrusive.

My only disappointment was that no spark of romance occurred between Langdon and Sophie as it did in the book. This
however is a minor anomaly in a controversial film that will continue to spark discussions and debate among Christians and non-Christians alike.

by Jorge Solis

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The Da Vinci Code starts off with suspenseful intrigue and continues till the end with stunning visuals and action-packed scenes. It took three people: Ron Howard, Brain Grazer, and Akiva Goldsman,
to make a hit with A Beautiful Mind. Now they reunite for the adaptation of the controversial yet formulaic novel by Dan Brown. 

I’m not going to get into the debate into whether or not Jesus married Mary Magdalene. I read the book.  I’ve seen the movie. Trust me; the book needed something because of its recycled storyline. If you want to follow the church and protest the movie, go ahead. Just remember you’re listening to people who don’t preach, they just molest children. 

Audrey Tatou and Tom Hanks are just phenomenal in their roles. Ian McKellan is a riot playing the role of Professor Teabing. Jean Reno also does a great job in elevating another one-dimensional character. Director Ron Howard is different but better as a storyteller here in this exceptional movie. For me, this movie is better than the book.