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The Da Vinci Code [2006] UMD Movie Reviews
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The Da Vinci Code Blue - ray, 3 Mar 2010
Great Movie and very entertaning with lots of action. Great Blue-ray experience. Recommended to all! Thanks, John
Source: [amazon.com]
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Timely Delivery, 12 Feb 2010
This DVD was delivered promptly and in perfect condition. I enjoyed the music and the thoughtful portrayal brought to the screen by the actors. An interesting storyline well directed.
Source: [amazon.com]
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"The Da Vinci Code Movie Thriller Par Excellence", 10 Feb 2010
The movie is a fast paced provocative thriller as the book spanning Paris (France), London (UK) and Scotland. Ron Howard really made the book to come alive in this one with Tom Hanks leading as professor Langdon (Harvard Symbology Professor).It tackles concepts of religion, humanity & deceit brilliantly. Religious issues concerning Christianity & Roman Catholic Church are dealt well using recent Gnostic Gospels' research findings by many scholars. These issues are however controversial as they are against well established doctrine from the Bible & Roman Catholic Church or Christianity. Movie is the best provocative thriller I have seen recently and deserves more than five stars!
Source: [amazon.com]
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The Da Vinci Code, 8 Feb 2010
The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) Im a Tom Hanks fan so this will probably be typical. An excellent movie with lots of action and a good plot. I liked it, and would recomend it.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Bonnie, 6 Feb 2010
Really enjoyed this series of stories about Robert Langdon. I really wanted to own this so I could watch it again especially in Blue Ray version.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Great Movie, 21 Jan 2010
This movie was fantastic. I had already read the book but seeing it in action is totally different. The fascinating thing, however, was the second disc that came with the movie. You see there how the movie and sets were produced and hear interviews with the author, Dan Brown, the actors, and the director. I don't think anyone realizes what time and energy it takes to put a movie like this together. Very well done!
Source: [amazon.com]
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Tom and Ron do it again! Extended Blu-Ray Edition review., 17 Jan 2010
If you don't know about the DaVinci code...then you are an ALIEN and must report to AREA 51 immediately. The book was amazing and the film is a wonderful companion piece. A must see and own.
NOW FOR MY BLU-RAY THOUGHTS: The extended addition has more character development scenes that certainly enhance the viewing experience but would not be lost if never included. However, the fact of the matter is that with the improved picture and sound the extended version is a must upgrade! FINAL VERDICT: UPGRADE WORTHY!Source: [amazon.com]
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Insulting lack of reality, 16 Jan 2010
Insulting due to lack of realism (aside from being so vile!)
Well like the stupid brass gismo that supposedly can't be opened with out "dissolving the parchment with vinegar" if one forced it open without the true letter combination. Now these guys are supposed to be ultra brainiacs and it does not INSTANTLY occur to such brilliant minds (as it would anyone with a brain in real life) that ALL they have to do is to stick the dumb thing in the freezer for a while, maybe prep it with baking soda or better first just in case the glass breaks before freezing (I'm not so brilliant after all I'd have to look up such things first), and then once frozen perhaps simply cut or grind through one end until the spindle is broken and/or cut horizontally across letter wheels 180 degrees apart just deep enough that they should come apart revealing the structure and points needing to be cut. Why on earth if there were something so valuable inside would anyone even consider risking a wrong answer to open it with? DUHHHH!
And that is one of umpteen other insults beginning with that first night in a museum full of priceless art a facility with diddly squat for security! Like I love the big theft deterrent you pull the painting off the wall and a nice little cord and connector unplugs and lets the gate drop ... WOW! fool proof! No one could shove something under where the gate drops! Some moron's Hollywood idea (or the book's author?) of convincing an audience of high tech security? How about a bathroom window you can just snatch a 50 million dollar painting off the wall and run into the john and repel down to the getaway vehicle. I'm sorry but I can only stand so much before it is just RUINED for me! It was already ruined even before I realized just how VILE the whole premise was for the movie! And I don't even mean the wacky theory that the Lord Jesus Christ was married and had children, rather I mean the theory promoted that the Bible itself is just a bunch of books that early sect leaders got together and voted into what constitutes Scripture! THAT is Vile AND ridiculous! Ridiculous even to an unbeliever with common sense. Can you even imagine a huge bunch of wildly different sects EVER agreeing on such a thing? The Bible itself is a miracle in that regard, God assembled it and protected it book by book first through His people Israel and then after disposing of Israel through the church age. (Yes He did miraculously reassemble Israel in 1948 to fulfill a prophetic sign that we are right near the end Jesus said when Ye shall see the fig tree in leaf ye shall know ...it's at the very gates" Other passages make clear that Israel IS the fig tree! I think Judgment Day is right around the corner, in fact May 21, 2011 to be exact. Don't mock! Rather do as those in Berea did when told something hard to easily accept (That Christ had come) Acts 17:11 tells that these "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." That is the mark of a believer, to not accept ANYTHING from any man or any church except the thing harmonize with all of Scripture! Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.Source: [amazon.com]
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The Da Vinci Code, 26 Dec 2009
This movie is a crackling, fast-moving thriller. Something of a pleasant surprise. If you liked the book, you'll like this movie.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Thank God I didn't buy the book, 16 Dec 2009
There's a terrible secret - Little Red Ridinghood's hood was actually green.
There are some people who know the secret. They don't reveal it, because if the general public learned that Little Red Ridinghood's hood was actually green, it would shock them so deeply that it would plunge the world into chaos. So that hyper-secret group passes the secret from generation to generation, waiting for a suitable moment when the world would be ready to hear it.
There's another hyper-secret organization that exists to prevent people from even learning that Little Red Ridinghood's hood was actually green. They are ruthless fanatics who have dedicated their lives to one single cause - to seek out and destroy all the evidence of that terrible secret. That includes killing everyone who as much as guesses that.
Of course, this movie isn't about Little Red Ridinghood. I just wanted to give you an idea how infinitely meaningless this movie's supposedly world-shattering secret is in my eyes. Not to mention all that cryptonanism, and people speaking Latin... I can't believe this is real. I mean, I thoroughly enjoy parodies like the TV series "Get Smart" and the books by Carlo Manzoni, but an adult sane person conceiving in all seriousness a plot like that of "Da Vinci Code" - it would be really difficult to get any more ridiculous than that.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Da Vinci Code, 9 Dec 2009
very excellent movie much better than the book
also the demons and angels dvd was excellentSource: [amazon.com]
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Da Vinci Code, 9 Dec 2009
My wife and I have seen this movie on cable television,I bought it to add to our DVD movie collection,this movie is one of our favorites.
Source: [amazon.com]
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International Adveture, 8 Dec 2009
This film kept me on the edge of my seat simply because it showed that something so
beeautiful as a painting could possibly conceal a message that would turn the world
on its head. To think that clandestine societies of supposedly honorable men
could conceal a secret so meaningful that it caused a murder. Tom Hanks brings to
the screen a truly believeable character who will not be deterred from discovering the truth.Source: [amazon.com]
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Cast Saves a Less Than Moving Script, 1 Dec 2009
It would almost be wiser to watch the movie before you read the book. The advice seems backwards, I know, but reading Dan Brown's gripping novel first causes viewers of the movie to be much more critical, naturally. Though this is the case with many books turned Hollywood features, The Da Vinci Code is not a bad adaptation of the original masterpiece. It just had far too much to live up to.
First of all, 2 hours and 20 minutes, the approximate run-time of The Da Vinci Code, is not nearly big enough a window to fit a story Brown told so thoroughly. I understand the need to trim the fat in some places, and I understand that very few people are lured to the movies for a 3 hour affair, but for a tale of such epic proportions that generated such controversy, an exception had to be made. The movie took on a lethal pace, giving the actors no time to really place emphasis on the quest at hand, and giving the viewers no time to really absorb the historical twist that is being proposed. For a Holy Grail quest, the action vastly outweighed the drama, an aspect that caused the plot to suffer. Frankly, it's not a popcorn movie, nor a date movie. Most of the viewers I'd assume were readers first. It was made too much to be a Hollywood blockbuster; it's almost like the makers were tiptoeing through the script to be sure they didn't ruffle too many feathers. Well that's just impossible when religion is under the microscope. I know big budget films command big budget dollars, but you can't be so careful with a seemingly instant classic work of literature. I would've been happy to give this movie 2 hrs, 50 minutes of my time if it had gone more in depth, if it had been more daring in its capacity. The way Dan Brown told it, if you hadn't heard the whispers before, you were almost out of breath reading his dramatic alterations to history. I was never moved in the same way by the film.
The script was written in a very matter-of-fact manner. That is to say, especially in Audrey Tautou's (Sophie Neveu) case, there were no moments of absolute astonishment made for these characters. Outside Sophie's final revelation in Scotland, utter disbelief of the events transpiring always seemed to escape her. I thought the actors were given very little to work with in terms of their emotional connection to the story, and that is the purpose for my subject title. Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou were an excellent pair, their chemistry visibly growing both as actors and as characters throughout. However, Brown really spends a lot of time developing a relationship between the two and I thought the film could've spent a little more time combing out the details of why they were teamed up and how they grew closer as they learned more about each other. Ian McKellen was a fantastic choice for Sir Leigh Teabing. But again, this man was portrayed by Brown as someone who moved to France because finding the Grail was his life's work. He was a man of great enthusiasm for the quest, giddy even, as some would say the author made it seem. The movie not only didn't discuss in depth how Langdon knew Teabing, but it made Teabing seem like nothing more than a devoted history buff.
For a story named The Da Vinci Code, the presence of Leonardo Da Vinci in this film was scarce, at best. Jacques Sauniere was supposedly a man so passionate about former Grand Master and multi-talented Leonardo Da Vinci, yet very little of the Da Vinci story came to surface in the movie. I felt like a history student reading the book, and though highly inaccurate in parts, Brown made it a very informative read. I was disappointed that the movie chose not to dive into great detail of the anagrams, the paintings, the knight on Sauniere's desk, even the Vitruvian Man. The Louvre scenes felt rushed, and it was really the groundwork the rest of the movie was built on. They should've been laid out with more care. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if many people who only saw the movie got lost very quickly.
I thought a couple flashbacks to Langdon's classes at Harvard would've sufficed for a history lesson of Da Vinci's work and his connection to the story at hand. Apparently, my ideas were not as popular with the writers.
Lastly, why did we have to eliminate the first cryptex? Is someone to tell me that ten more minutes could not have been spent on the cryptex this movie chose to completely ignore? Maybe it's just me, but I thought the missing cryptex in the film was one of the more clever things Dan Brown dreamed up for the novel. It's the last in a long line of glaring exclusions for big fans of The Da Vinci Code.
Flawed, yes. A total failure? Absolutely not. As previously mentioned, I thought the casting was brilliant; a stellar performance brought forth by all parties considering the mediocre writing and direction. A couple other high points:
- Though altered from the book, the scene in the Rosslyn Chapel was exceptional.
- Sophie's creative driving in the chase scene from the American Embassy.
- I loved the set for the Swiss Bank. It made for a riveting scene.
All in all, it's hard to completely ruin a great story, so I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code for just that; the story itself. For each character, it served a different purpose; to clear one's name of criminal acts, to unveil the truth about one's family, to chase one's lifelong dream. To strip the power a brotherhood has held for centuries. I would've given it 3 1/2 stars, but with the underrated performances of Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno, who played Bezu Fache, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Expectations are dangerous to go into a movie with. Leave them behind and you should enjoy this film.
Grade: B+Source: [amazon.com]
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Stop moaning about bad adaptions of books!, 13 Nov 2009
Yes, of course a lengthy novel is going to be difficult to adapt into a film lasting a couple of hours, so get over it and enjoy it as a piece of film making!
I had read the book and still loved the film. None of the subject matter was a surprise (like many I had already read the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail) but I like the way that in this story it is much more on a personal level. Personally I had found the novel rather rambling, so it was refreshing to see a bit of pace without all the padding. The acting is excellent and the flash back sequences beautifully filmed.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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The Da Vinci Code, 9 Nov 2009
Arrived quickly. 100% happy with purchase. Was advertised as OK condition but was infact in mint condition. Can recommend buying from this seller.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Good movie, 9 Nov 2009
This is a really entertaining movie. Wished it were longer though and more in depth.
Source: [amazon.com]
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oh yeah, 30 Oct 2009
I loved this movie as it could so very well be ture there are more to life then we see in our every day ifes. This movie shows that some time we can find our selfs pulled in to something we never wanted to be a part of.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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James Bond, no; Indiana Jones, yes., 18 Oct 2009
5 of 5 stars for the movie The Da Vinci Code. This is the first of (currently) three books in the Robert Langdon series. Langdon (Tom Hanks) is a specialist in symbology (the history and meaning of various symbols from different cultures. Langdon is called to help the police in Paris with a murder. This starts a long chain of events in which various religious factions are chasing "the Holy Grail". Langdon gains the help of a police officer who is the daughter of the murder victim. As the complex puzzle grows, Langdon reaches out for help from an old friend. This chain of events has several surprises as we learn some people are not who they appear to be (e.g. the lead police detective is actually a member of one of the religious factions and is trying to frame Langdon for the murder). Even Langdon's old friend is not exactly who he appears, nor is his butler! Complex, interesting, exciting and compelling is this story. Langdon is no James Bond, but, he does well during action moments. Langdon somewhat reminds me of Indiana Jones; college profession who has interesting adventures with historical artifacts and legends.
A shout-out to Ron Howard for outstanding Direction of this movie! I feel the movie was totally faithful to the book. The last 5 minutes of the movie is totally wonderful (from Langdon's shaving accident). I can watch it over and over. On the Blu-Ray, there are details on how this scene was created. Simply Wow!
Much has been written and debated over the historical validity of Brown's story and assertions. If you set aside those various debates and opinions and just take it as a story of fiction, it is a very good movie! I highly recommend this movie!Source: [amazon.com]
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The DaVinci Code, 16 Oct 2009
Excellent adaptation of the Dan Brown novel. Casting, and character development very good. A movie to watch again and again.
Source: [amazon.com]
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"Thought-Provoking", 11 Oct 2009
When you watch the "Da Vinci Code" you must pay careful attention to the plot. This is not one of those films that you can pop into the DVD player and watch while your mind is elsewhere; this is a movie that needs to be viewed with articulate attention. I was halfway through the movie before I knew what it was actually about. I have talked to others who have said that reading the book before viewing the film helps the viewer in understanding the characters and story so I would advised that first. But if you haven't got access to the book here is what I surmised from the viewing of the movie: the main story focuses on the allegation that Jesus Christ actually fatherd a child and had a girl named Sarah. Sarah's blood line exists to this day much to the chagrin of the Catholic Church. The movie dramitizes certain members who are Roman Catholic determined not to have this knowledge of that bloodline become known. Leonardo Da Vinci's portrait of the last supper has clues and hints of this new knowledge of Christ and that is major plot of the film and alas the "Da Vinci Code" comes from this. The film became one of the biggest blockbusters in motion picture history while at the same time becoming very controversial with conservative Catholics. At nearly two and half hours long the movie makes the viewer think if these allegations of Christ are true. The film is extremely well-acted by Tom Hanks and the rest of the cast and Ron Howard did a virtuoso job as director filming the movie entirely in Europe. The "Da Vinci Code" would spawn the sequel "Angels and Demons" that also became a hit. This 2 disc DVD features bonuses including interviews with Hanks and Howard, behind the scenes clips, and much more. Ebert and Roeper give the film "Two thumbs Up".
Source: [amazon.com]
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Reality Check, 5 Oct 2009
As a Catholic I was very unsure of this movie, but I loved it. Part mystery, part history, part suspense. A really wonderful movie. Lets face it if Tom Hanks is in it - it must be good.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Disappointed, 30 Aug 2009
Product never received. Informed that money would be refunded, but no explanation as to why they could not supply.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Not much of a thriller, 28 Aug 2009
When it comes to faith, facts are irrelevant. I had this thought as I was watching this movie. Let say that one accepts all the premises of this movie (and Dan Brown's book), that the descendant of Jesus Christ is walking among us, and that some secret religious organizations, the Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion, are battling each other over the secret; the outcome of the conflict would hardly make any difference in the course of humanity. People who believed in the divinity of Jesus before will still do so, and those who didn't will still snicker about the idea. No amount of facts will ever change that. The stake is so small that it takes the thrill out of this thriller. Nevertheless, I must say that this is a well-crafted movie, with excellent actors and actresses. It is just that the story doesn't work for me.
Source: [amazon.com]
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This one strayed too far from the book, 19 Aug 2009
Having read this book more than once, I wanted to see the movie. Full of action and intrigue, it moves rapidly and most everyone probably enjoys it. But I was disappointed! It strayed so far from the book that I was let down. I am aware that movies adapted from books are often changed for length purposes. Guess I am more of a reader/listener and not a movie fan.
Source: [amazon.com]
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How about a NON-Extended Cut BD version?, 9 Jul 2009
I have the regular DVD, which is great and was just about to submit the order for the BD until I noticed that it was the 'Extended Cut' only. 25 minutes onto a 149 minute film! Come on folks, how about a regular theatrical version? I canceled my pre-order of Amadeus on BD for the same reason (I have the origianl theatrical release on LaserDisc, which I guess I will certainly keep now). Usually, there is a reason that all of this 'extended' footage is cut out in the first place.....
Source: [amazon.com]
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Poor Quality in a NEW DVD, 7 Jul 2009
I paid for a NEW copy of the Da Vinci Code and it has worked horrible. The frames keep freezing, but, the sound keep going. Amazon is probably making their own copies to sell. I will never make another purchase from you.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Good Movie, 26 Jun 2009
Without reading the book, this movie is exciting and riveting. Tom Hanks brings to life an intelligent and likeable character, who pursues the truth and hidden secret of the foundation of Christianity. A great action and logical movie!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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It was fun, 18 Jun 2009
I quite enjoyed this film! I have heard a lot of negative comments, and I actually agree with a lot of them - the plot and characterisations have been changed from those in the book, often for no apparent reason.
However, I enjoyed the atmosphere of this film, and as long as I did not take it all too seriously it was a pretty exciting and different thriller!
I have only given this film 4 stars as I think it is not quite as good as the book and does not explore the themes on the same level.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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THE DA VINCI CODE, 18 Jun 2009
RECEIVED THE ITEM AS DISCRIBED AND VERY FAST HAVEN'T HAD CHANCE TO WATCH THE FILM YET.
LOVELY TO DO BUISNESS WITH YOU.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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"The Da Vinci Code" DVD, 18 Jun 2009
Many thanks for such a smooth and quick transaction. First-class seller, I hope to buy from you again!
John CrokerSource: [amazon.co.uk]
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THERE IS SO MUCH MORE OFFERED HERE!, 17 Jun 2009
I own the original 2 Disc version of this movie, and I was so pleased that this new version offered so much more (around 7 additional scenes not seen in theaters or offered on the original 2 Disc set). Plus being in Blu-Ray the sound and picture are so much better. I would highly recommend this version to anyone who is a fan of the Dan Brown stories or this movie. It is my hope that when the next upcoming film (Angels & Demons) is released on DVD & Blu-Ray that it will include a similar set up.
Source: [amazon.com]
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Strong conceptual mystery that leaves you to your own opinion, 16 Jun 2009
After a suspicious murder at the Louvre, Symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks) and detective Sophie Neveu (Tautou) are on the run whilst they attempt to uncover the mystery of the Holy Grail.
Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code broke barriers with audiences all over the world for its unashamed approach to religion and the concept of what the Holy Grail truly is amongst the ongoing battle between Opus Dei, The Church and the Priory of Sion. Brown certainly has sparked hefty debates but a film adaptation was always inevitable and when released, it caused as much as a storm as when the book was released.
The storm that came with this in 2006 was an ashamed feeling of disapprove for the way director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman approached this astonishing story. This was banned in numerous countries for its strong opinions and depictions of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene but the uproar came for the film itself. Badly made, unfaithful to source material and atrociously acted and directed, Da Vinci fell into the category of the world's worst blockbusters. Personally, amongst all the negativity, I rather enjoyed watching two fine actors looking to solve a delicate mystery.
There is no doubt that whatever your beliefs, the book is well scripted with a sharp and intriguing motive to keep you hooked right till the shocking finale. Even the long winded debates were interesting as we learnt of different groups in Christianity and the film took all the heavy ideologies onboard in an attempt to portray the book as was written.
At two and a half hours, this film somehow leaves out a vast majority of debated conceptual significance but the importance is all relative come the end. For someone who enjoyed the book, I find the simple explanation as to why this movie "failed" is that it leaves out this hefty amount of debate.
Tom Hanks was criticized for his blunt performance and sadly, the hype was right. There was no spring as there was in Big, no drama like in Cast Away. From the book, it seemed Langdon was a more spirited soul that exuded adventure but there is something lacking here. Tautou is buoyant and necessarily silent in all the right places gives a good pairing along the way with Hanks; one of the final scenes exceptionally sentimental.
Ron Howard, who was also slated, delivers an unsurprising style of mystery. His continuous use of close shots for unsurprised expressions do nothing to help the feel of the film, which means the reliance is all on the plot, which is enjoyable and still exciting.
Yes, it isn't the book but as with the Harry Potter series for example, we all came to our own conclusions and drew up our own imagination so it was never going to be perfect. Da Vinci Code is a good film with a strong conceptual plot that generates debate and excitement.
8/10Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Seller did what they could, 14 Jun 2009
Package was sent to another address other than mine. efforts to retrieve were not successful. No fault of the seller.
Source: [amazon.com]
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The WOW factor, 13 Jun 2009
A cracking film but the book is even better!!! As usual Tom Hanks plays a suberb part!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Perfectly watchable if flawed film, 11 Jun 2009
I have only very recently watched this (thought I'd give it a go after seeing Angels and Demons at the cinema). My reason for not watching it sooner was that I had been told basically not to bother by a few friends and family. I suppose that highlights the fact that you shouldn't really listen to others and just draw your own conclusions, thus rendering reviews like this surplus to requirements, but we'll breeze past that :o).
As it happens I enjoyed the film more than I expected to (much like Angels and Demons). Yes, the film certainly has it's flaws. Audrey Tatou whilst being fine in her role, isn't particularly memorable and the script gets a bit painful in places. However, there are also plenty of positives to draw as well. Ian Mckellen is truly brilliant as Leigh Teabing and equally Paul Bettany plays his crazy albino monk Silas with great gusto! I don't think anyone can accuse the film of being slow, if anything it's a little quick, but that tends to be a common peril with blockbuster book adaptions. The action is dealt with admirably and developed well enough to keep the viewer engaged. I can certainly say I wasn't bored or wondering how long was left at any point during the film.
From my point of view I think it also helps that I haven't read the book and so, was not really ever involved in the hysteria that surrounded it when it was first released. Furthermore, not being a religious person may have helped me to look at the film from a more unbiased perspective than some, though this of course is an observation not a criticism of the viewing audience.
Overall, an enjoyably few hours that I wouldn't be adverse to watching again if the opportunity arose.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Da vinci Code. DVD, 6 Jun 2009
Apart from it being a good film, Dvd was in good condition, price was fine, as was postage. Would use again for shopping for film or music discs
John MacDonaldSource: [amazon.co.uk]
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Love that Blu-Ray DaVinci!, 1 Jun 2009
If you liked the movie in DVD, definitely spring for it in Blu-ray, it really is a significant enhancement to the overall DaVinci Code experience.
Source: [amazon.com]
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not great, 18 May 2009
this film is pretty long winded. i imagine that most people who would buy this film have read the book. if thats the case, then you already know what happens, so why bother? however the second disc has some interesting interviews which you may feel are worth while, if you are particularly interested in the subject matter
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Even worse than the book, if such a thing is possible, 10 May 2009
Yes, they did it.
They took one of the most godawful books ever inflicted on the reading public, and made it into an unbelievably terrible film.
Sir Ian McKellan must have spent the whole shoot with the phrase "Just keep thinking about the money" going through his head.
The only saving grace is that it's over quicker than the book (still felt like several centuries though).
Unforgiveable tosh.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Remedy for insomnia, 10 May 2009
I read the book several years ago and found it interesting and thought-provoking rather than entertaining, so it didn't cross my mind at the time that it needed to be made into a film. Now that I have seen the film, I feel they really should not have bothered, and I'm glad I didn't waste money seeing it at the cinema. This is a reasonably faithful interpretation and the overall production style is very good but I believe that films should bring something completely new to the fore that the book failed to do. That isn't the case here. Of course many people will see the film without having read the book, so perhaps for them it might be a better experience, but for the majority who did read the novel, this will probably seem rather pointless and almost certainly not as good.
Needless to say this was a dead-cert banker for Columbia and Imagine Entertainment, being based on the most talked-about novel of the decade. It's already taken $757 million at the box office putting it in 26th place in the all-time financial ranking list. So I'm sure everyone involved in making it has done very nicely thank you, but I do not recommend it for any other reason other than curiosity value. Even then, it feels as if it's going to take as long to watch as the book took to read - it really seems to take up a lot longer than its actual 143 minutes. In the end, all it represents is a film of the book and nothing more, and probably only of benefit to anyone who can't read.
Apparently Tom Hanks doesn't sport such a daft barnet in the sequel, Angels & Demons.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Why is everyone so determined to dislike this just to go against the hype?, 26 Apr 2009
I am writing this having ONLY seen the film- I have not read the book. It was an intruiging and interesting film. I really enjoyed it. It was complicated at times, grasping who everyone was and what their stance was.
I can appreciate that if you have previously read the book there will be alot that had to be skimmed over i guess! But lets not all get up on our cultural high horses, its a really good watch.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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FORREST GUMP PLAYING DETECTIVE, 27 Nov 2008
THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES EVER.IT IS REALLY BORING.
WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN WATCHING FORREST GUMP PLAYING DETECTIVE IN A MUSEUM.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Better than you might think, 25 Oct 2008
I remember when this movie first came out and it received an absolute barrage of negative reviews.I have seen it three times now and enjoyed it each and every time.Yes,it is complex and may be a bit too long,but Ron Howard ties everything together very well and does a fine job with his direction.
The acting is fine throughout with Tom Hanks giving one of his best performances despite many people saying that the role didn't suit him.The best performance comes from Ian McKellen though who pretty much dominates every scene he is in.Audrey Tautou does look uncomfortable at times but is lovely and the rest of the cast is fine.
With excellent locations,very good music and a story that makes you think,'The Da Vinci Code' may well come as a pleasant surprise.I have no hesitation in giving it four stars out of five.There are also several interesting extras on the two disc edition.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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It did well to stick to the book., 18 Oct 2008
The Plot
When the curator of the Louvre is murdered, number one suspect, Havard Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is called in to solve the cryptic messages that were left behind. Soon enough he is following a trail of clues through the works of Da Vinci, with the help of cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tauton). From galleries in France, to churches in England, the pair are hunted by the police and a deadly killer, sent ot stop the truth from ever getting out.
The Characters
Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) - A Havard Professor who's books on Religous Symbols interested the head of a powerful brotherhood, ultimately leading him to discover one of the biggest cover-ups ever.
Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tauton) - The French cryptologist who gets caught up in the mess through family connections and ends up becoming a wanted criminal.
Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) - The retired historian who's knowledge on the Holy Grail brings Robert and Sophie to his front door.
Other Characters
Captain Bezu Fache (Jean Reno)
Bishop Aringarosa (Alfred Molina)
Silas (Paul Bettany)
Review
The critiscm following the film is mainly the critics who didnt like the book. The film isnt bad, it is just some people who never liked the story anyway.
Everyone had a good performance (although Hanks was maybe a miss-cast) and Jean Reno and Ian McKellen were especially good.
The film stuck to the book very well for the first half but they probably decided they were running out of time and mist a few majoy bits out towards the end.
Some say the film was too long but it needs to be if you are going to have a realistic attempt of keeping the story close to a 600 page book. It was interesting all the way through and it is defiantely one you can watch again.
Overall a thouroughly enjoyable watch and I recommened it to anyone who liked the book. 10/10!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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endless, 29 Sep 2008
The Da Vinci Code (it could have been called any number of things) is the type of movie that ages the viewer. Interminable and dull, entire geological ages come and go, glaciers advance and retreat, mountain ranges rise and fall, before the film, having passed through one banal scene to the next, finally releases its tortuous grip on the exhausted viewer. Frankly, I could not care a hoot about the story of Jesus (although a better plot would have been one that questioned his existence at all), so I was, obviously, very bored by the scenes during which sombody explains christ's specious history to another person, and then that person explains it again to the really dull person who wasn't listening.
And then there is the acting. Apart from Gandalf, who is too good to be in this movie, the performances are entirely lifeless, particularly between the two leads who, it would appear, don't like each other.
Finally though, the real villian in all of this, the director. Ron Howard! His pacing of the scenes, and his desire to have absolutely everything explained, destroys any chance the film had of being passable as 90 minutes entertainment. He should be shot.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Rubbish compared to the book!, 3 Sep 2008
Ok first of all I read the book a week ago and absolutly loved every page of it and I seriously recomend it. This is the reason why i baught the film but I was very unimpressed.
My tip.... read the book!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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an exciting, fast moving and literate film based on religion and history, 25 Aug 2008
This film is 2 hours long but is interesting throughout its duration - I think you have to like history a lot to appreciate the dialogue and storyline.Dark and atmospheric cinematography and plenty of action in the form of the good guys running from the bad guys/killers.If you're expecting to see lots of nice buildings and parks and other locations in Paris in the daytime you'll be disappointed but the rest of the film makes up for it.A literate and religious movie of the same kind as the Name of The Rose which was based on the novel by umberto eco but The Da Vinci code is way more exciting and fast moving.The story will keep you guessing to the end.If you like die hard movies or films like bad boys give this one a miss.There are no bonus features apart from trailers for other films.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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bold attempt, poor movie..., 22 Aug 2008
First off, let's admit that the book itself was an helluva bold attempt, a real phenomena because Brown repopularized an old theory (that the Bible was a work commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine during the First Council of Nicaea in the 4th century, and here Christ was elevated to divine status for political reasons), making serious assertions about the origins of the Bible, the Holy Grail, the Catholic Church and the divinity of Christ. These are critically controversial debates that must be left to the theologians.
Another thing is that making a movie out of such a "dangerous" subject is another bold attempt, albeit turned out to be quite unsatisfactory at the end. Cinematically, the film is nothing but another stylized, big-budget crap; but it hit the box office thanks to the popularity of the book and its box-office draws like Hanks, Tautou and Reno. The film uses every possible kind of trite Hollywood cliches from beginning to end. In a dark environment characterized by mystery within mystery and conspiracy within conspiracy, every riddle is untangled like taking candy from a baby!!!... The invulnerability of the protagonists makes it a third-rate Indiana Jones type of stuff.
I read the book twice and really enjoyed, and must say that the majority of the problems come from the direction and screenplay. OK, I must admit that translating a thick book to screen is not a cinch. The main trouble is character development, depth and tension. What works in a 600-page book does not work in a 140 minutes movie. The truth is that Ron Howard screwed up the beautiful story. Also, Hanks is miscast as Dr. Langdon; Jeff Bridges or Liam Neeson would have been a better choice. On the other hand, Tautou, and the supporting cast especially McKellen and Bettany delivers satisfactory performances.
Last word: don't forget that the plot is based on fiction (although Don Brown says that 99% is true!!!), so no need to get up in arms about it..... (2.5/5.0)Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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Better than a sleeping pill!, 31 Jul 2008
More proof that a best selling book doesn't necessarily translate into a good film. I haven't read the book, and this ponderous, garbled, over-long and pretentious waste of time hasn't encouraged me to do so. Hanks looks bored, and there is no spark of chemistry between him and the female lead, Tautou. McKellen is incapable of giving a bad performance, and his scenes are among the best, which isn't saying much.
The plot, such as it is, includes two tired old staples - the lovable old eccentric character who turns out to be not so lovable at all, and the ambiguous use of personal pronouns to try and throw the audience off the track. Personally I suspected both of these "twists" very early on.
I don't care if the Mary Magdalene bloodline/grail story is fiction, and over used. I don't care if the film takes a knock at Christianity and the Catholic Church (they can take it) but I do care if it lacks character development, plot development and tension. And sends me to sleep. Which this one did.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
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