I’ve always had an interest in the history of religion, particularly that of the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the most powerful unifying and at the same time one of the most divisive forces known to mankind. Empires had risen and fallen. Wars had been fought, won, and lost. All because of religion.
Something as powerful as that would be a natural subject for writers of both fiction and non-fiction. I got started on the latter through the encyclopedia where I got my fill of the Church, the Crusades, the Knight Templars, etc. I got started on the former through David Morrell’s Fraternity of the Stone and Covenant of the Flame. The books, with their with shadowy militant religious orders, captured my imagination. Thus, when Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code came out, I immediately read it and found it reasonably good. It was also controversial because of its subject.
Of course, it’s just a matter of time when movie version comes out. But when it did, I was reluctant about watching it for two reasons: it has Tom Hanks (don’t ask me why) and I’ve already read the book. But I eventually relented for the sake of camaraderie :P
From what I’ve seen, it seems the movie would be a little confusing for those who did not read the book. On the flipside, it is too like the book. So much so that it got a bit dragging and somehow succeeded in becoming boring. Hank’s wooden performance didn’t help either.
Notwithstanding those who always compare the movies to the book and how the movie should be completely faithful to the book, this movie is an argument for keeping the two distinct. The book is a book, the movie is a movie.
One good thing about watching the movie though is that you get to see the things and places in Paris and London mentioned in the book. But that’s about it.
Rating: 2/5