Customer Reviews

The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) [DVD]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In The Da Vinci Code, symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is implicated in a murder and plunged into a mystery with historic ramifications. Aided by French cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), they must decipher centuries-old puzzles and clues that will lead them to the truth. But their efforts are hampered by the Opus Dei (a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic organization) and a tenacious Inspector.

Based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown, the story challenges the very foundations of the Christian faith, asking whether Jesus was human or divine. Catholic organizations have, for the most part, been smart enough to lie low and not feed the fire...had Brown been Muslim, he would surely have been beheaded for such a blasphemy.

Akiva Goldsman's script requires a viewer's complete attention. Full of background details about theology, The Knights Templar, paganism and Renaissance art, it is both intellectual and philosophical. There are plenty of surprises, but some of them are so necessary to the plot they are obvious in coming, as is the denouement. Still, it is clever, fast-paced, and absorbing. While some readers of the book may find the moments of exposition tiresome, they are a crucial element to the parables.

Director Ron Howard, in his third collaboration with Hanks, gives the story plenty of atmosphere with Hitchcockian suspense. The aqueous flashbacks to the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages propel the action and add to the sense of awe. However, his decision to light up the letters of the riddles on screen as Langdon mulls them over seems uninspired, having used that technique in 2001's A Beautiful Mind, also written by Goldsman.

Hanks is well-cast as the reluctant Indiana Jones, while the angelic Tautou is a delight to watch. Sadly, there is little chemistry between them. But Sir Ian McKellen gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Holy Grail scholar Leigh Teabing. Paul Bettany, whose leering grimace spoils everything he's in, has found his niche playing a murderous monk, the most villainous albino since 1978's Foul Play.

A true mystery in the tradition of old Hollywood, this "Greatest Story Never Told" is a fascinating scavenger hunt. Rating: 8 out of 10.

We saw this today and found it a very intriguing movie. We also like Tom Hanks and the many other excellent rolls he's played. It is a movie that has had a lot of controversy but I think that when you see it you just have to judge for yourself. The plot for this movie is excellent and to us just as well put together as all our other mysteries we have (eg; Midsomer Murders/Agatha Christie et al). This movie was always warning us 'viewer discretion advised' but we found that the 'violence' was not as bad as we thought it might be. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a mystery and likes to try something other than the Midsomer Murders or Agatha Christie DVD's.

Whether or not you believe in Dan Brown's mixture of historical facts mixed with a blend of hypotheses and extrapolations all bound up in a grand symbological mutli-million unit selling mystery novel(released in 2003)or not,is really of no consequence.The Roman Catholic Church whose foundation his novel questions was none too pleased at the time and(typical of the Church)issued memos to its' flock not to either read the book nor attend the subsequent movie's release.Of course,according to the Church,it was all bogus from beginning to end.Me thinks they did protest too much!
The movie takes Brown's writings and brings them to the screen in an intelligent and attractive manner all served up(and there is ALOT to serve up!)in a fast paced and unrelenting style that keeps you glued to the screen from the beginning to the very end.
The Da Vinci Code(released May/06) involves the story of a symbologist/cryptonalyst by the name of Robert Langdon(Tom Hanks).He is giving a lecture in Paris and attends a book signing after when he is approached by the police,one Capt.Fache(Jean Reno),to assist them in a murder that has just been committed in the Louvre.It turns out to be a friend of Langdon's by the name of Sauniere and the body has many mysterious symbols about it.Landon doesn't know it but the police captain suspects him of doing the dirty deed.A police cryptologist Sophie Neveu(Audrey Tautou)arrives and gets Langdon alone.He is in danger she says and must leave and moreover the man who was murdered was her grandfather.
They escape and head to a bank with a key her grandfather left to her.It is a key to a safety deposit box which contains a small wooden box,in which is a cryptex.It is a cylindrical container surrounded with letters that must be arranged in a certain way to open it successfully.If not done properly a vial inside releases a potion of vinegar which destroys the contents.From here the pair seek out a Holy Grail expert-friend of Langdon's ,a Mr Teabing(Ian McKellan).They discuss the ins and outs of the Grail and the Church's earliest days and beginnings,right back to Christ himself and whether he was supernatural or just a man,when the police track them down.They all escape to London with the French police captain still in pursuit.
In London Langdon(assisted throughout by Neveu) tracks down an important clue to locate the Grail but they are confronted by Teabing who wants the box and cryptex it contains.Langdon turns away to try and decode the cryptex but when he turns back he throws it into the air which cracks the inner vile and destroys the contents.At this moment the police enter and Teabing is arrested,not Landon nor Neveu.It seems the French captain has been played for a dupe by the dark shadows of the Church who also want the Grail's location and he has come to his senses.Well,it turns out Langdon did indeed crack the code and has the parchment paper from inside.In it the directions lead them both to a Church in the countryside of England where they find that the Grail they seek was indeed once there but has been moved.However they also find the guardians of the Grail,a group dedicated to preserving the Grail and its' location.We also find out the Grail was/is Neveu herself;as she is from a royal blood line descended from Christ himself through Mary Magdeline his wife.The movie ends with much of the clues that have inundated Langdon's mind throughout his arduous journey,coming together and him walking to the front of the Louvre museum in Paris and kneeling and praying over the spot where the bodily remains of Mary Magdeline secretly lay.
The movie moves along at breakneck speed and makes brief stops for the viewers to catch their collective breaths and try and take in much of what is going on before them.There are alot of clues and alot of information to digest here.But in the end the ultimate conflict here is again wrapped around a good guys-bad guys scenario.On the bad guy side is the Opus Dei depicted here as a shadowy form of the Vatican that is trying to keep hidden and even search out and destroy any vestige or hint of the Grail,i.e. the remains of Mary Magdeline and a possible bloodline.On the good side we have the keepers of the faith with the Priory of Scion and their more well known arm the Knights Templar.These guardians(and their many descendants)have fought the good fight for centuries in order to keep the truth alive,but hidden from harms way,i.e the Vatican.Brown's novel and the resultant movie never preach their story to us and let us make our own minds up.As I said before this story is based on old historical fact mixed with legends and the resultant extrapolations of the two.Near the end of the movie a conversation between Langdon and Neveu really says it all about the novel,movie and their goal.Langdon asks Neveu would revealing herself as a direct descendant of Christ bring about destruction of the Church or a new reconnaissance of it? Intriguing question to an intriguing....theory? Open minds is what it is all about.
This movie is one of Ron Howard's better efforts and deserves high praise for his deft handling of the complex material.The movie contains a solid roster of actors from Hanks,McKellan to French star Jean Reno and Germany's Jurgen Prochnow.Paul Bettany as Silas does a great turn as a conflicted and tortured puppet of the Opus Dei's bidding.
Technically the movie is presented in its original 2:40:1 aspect ratio and has been transferred wonderfully,sound included.Extras abound in this two disc set.We have featurettes "Filmmakers Journey Pt's 1 & 2",Music of the DC",a DC demo DVD game,"Portrait of Langdon","Who is Sophie Neveu?","The Usual Suspects","Magical Places","Close up of the Mona Lisa",a discussion with Dan Brown,first day on the set with the director and a look at many of the hidden codes placed smartly throughout the film itself.Everything you wanted to know about the DC but hadn't even thought to ask!
All in all a well done and intriguing thriller/novel brought deftly to the big screen by Ron Howard and now to DVD,in a fast 141 minutes.It's a solid cast and a highly recommended film worthy of repeated viewings to catch many of the clues that you may have missed the first time.Enjoy.

This is a very good film, and how stupid is it to comment the film on being distracted by Tom Hanks hair style.

I did'nt see anything wrong with his hair style, he looked very good and should keep this hair cut.

I read the book before i went to see this movie in theatres. The beginnig part of the movie was alright. It didn't stray too much from the book.

Teabing was done very well. I believe that that was the only part I really enjoyed in the movie. Unfortunately, from the moment Langdon and Sophie reach Teabing's estate I felt that creative licence was taken too far for my likes. Details such as how Sophie found out who she was, how they found out where the final clue was, and the absence of Silas' red eyes were changed or removed. These are details that were central or important to the story in my opinion. Howard changed Sophies relation to her grandfather.

In sum, too many key details were mussed or omitted from this movie adaptation. I understand that everything can't be included but there could have been better things to omit.

Both the dvd and the movie are quite good and interesting, and I watched it with interest. There was a lot of controversy, chasing and mysticism, so if you are into such things you will probably like the movie as well.

after watching this movie,i have one overriding feeling.that of being
underwhelmed.there was lot of hype for this movie,but it just didn't
live up to it for me.it should have been better.i mean,it had good
actors and a decent story.and the dialogue was OK.but.for whatever
reason,it just didn't resonate with me.i guess the biggest reason is
that i found it slow and boring.i found the end way too protracted fro
my tastes.i also believe they could have shaved 30 minutes off of it.i
also think Tom Hanks's character was too low key In this movie.for
another 'quest 'movie,i would recommend National Treasure.it's not as
deep,but i felt it was much more fun and action packed.but that's just
my opinion.for me,The Da Vinci Code is a 2.5/5

Jacques Saunière (Jean-Pierre Marielle) is killed for a secret. He leaves a mysterious message for Dr. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks). Langdon and Saunière's granddaughter Sophie (Audrey Tautou) become partners in a hunt for the Holy Grail. But time is running out for them as they are being hunted down by Captain Bezu Fache (Jean Reno) for murder.

This film relies heavily on the viewer reading the book before viewing. Some times they go out of their way to follow the story. At other times we get a Ron Howard interpretation of Dr. Robert Langdon and his amazingly distracting hair style. Other than that it is better than not having a movie at all. And as with all formula stories it is always the last person you would suspect.

The extra features can get a little boring as they keep repeating the same thing overt and over in sound-byte form. They keep talking about people that never made it on the film but never say who these people are or show their tryouts.

INTRO:The Da Vinci Code was released as a book in 2003 and has been getting more and famous as time went on,now 3 years latter its made in a movie in 2006.What makes it so controversial is the book is basicly about religion and what the church tried to hind from you and stuff ,its all fiction but its a good book/movie.

Sure some will find this movie outrageous because this is contradicting what they beleved for all their lives and the media attention The Da Vinci Code is getting will make that many people will see it and many disagree.But you got to keep in mind thats its fiction.Its controversial because its about religion and religion is something that nobody can handle because we all have our toughts and people think differently from you.

For the movie itself now:The Da Vinci Code supports the idea of the the holy grail and that Jesus maried Mary Magdalene it is why its getting that much attention.The movie is about enigmas all along they have to solve to get to the next one.The movies is basicly around the death of Jacque Sauniere(got shot in the chest and had minutes to live) who is a well known cryptologist and when he died in the louvre museum he left ennigmas that would lead them to their quest of the holy grail.Robert Langdon teams up with Sophie Neveu(Jacque Sauniere is her grandfather)to decode what Sauniere has been tring to tell in the last minutes of his life.

I read the book and i liked it i had expectations from this movie and it did well.The movie is 2 hours and 28 minutes and its long enough they putted as much as they could from the book cutting the less interresting stuff.Many who read the book tought it would be better as a movie.The action is a bit slow but Langdon and Neveu often get chased by the police and try to run away.

There are different languages used in the movie and i saw the movie in english but there was a lot of french during the movie and those who dont understand french might find it frustrating cause you have to look at subtitles to understand at times.

The movie can be very comfusing If you hadnt read the book it might be hard to understand,if you read the book then you should see the movie its worth seeing.

I watched the movie first and it was an amazing adventure. I read the book and wished it would never end or that there was a sequel! Once you open the books cover, you're hooked an in for an amazing ride! Can't wait for the movie on DVD to be released!