AT THE MOVIES WITH DILLON KIMMEL
Based on the international bestselling book of the same name, The DaVinci Code has generated substantial hype from followers and critics alike. The book, released in 2003, has generated a kind of cult following, despite author Dan Brown’s claims that the book is indeed fiction. Nonetheless, its general premise has been debated since the early twentieth century, and Brown has simply brought to life an already well-known theory among historians.
In the middle of the night, the curator of the world-renowned Louvre museum, Sauniere, is murdered by a mysterious albino named Silas (Paul Bettany). Before succumbing to his bullet wound, however, Sauniere leaves an ingenious trail of codes and symbols that seem to point to an unlikely killer. The evidence leads Parisian police to track down Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a renowned Harvard professor who specializes in ancient symbology. Langdon just so happens to be in Paris for a conference and believes he is being brought in to help unravel the trail of symbols.
In actuality, however, Bezu Fache (Jean Reno), the chief investigator assigned to the crime scene, suspects Langdon in the murder of Sauniere based upon what he believes is incriminating evidence, a note left behind which reads: “P.S. Find Robert Langdon.”
To the rescue comes Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), a French cryptologist and estranged granddaughter of Sauniere. Upon seeing this mysterious note herself, she realizes what her grandfather was really trying to convey. P.S. are the initials of what her grandfather used to call her by, Princess Sophie. Together, Neveu and Langdon escape Fache and begin unraveling the mystery left behind by Sauniere.
What they uncover is more explosive than either could ever imagine: the biggest cover-up in human history. A secret that could destroy the face of Christianity if revealed, is now in the hands of two complete strangers. Pursued by radicals of the group Opos Dei, a sanctioned Catholic sect created to find and destroy all evidence of this secret, Langdon and Neveu embark on an epic treasure hunt with historical and personal implications alike.
It all leads to a stunning realization that neither Neveu nor Langdon ever anticipated as Sauniere’s real motive is revealed and the truth about Sophie and her family is finally realized.
Director Ron Howard and his team had their work cut out for them as they began bringing Dan Brown’s book to life. Not only did they have a worldwide bestseller to remake, but the amount of information packed inside the 500-page book is astounding. Naturally, then, the filmmakers were forced to cut and remold parts of the book in order to avoid a five-hour epic. The result is a semi-well-done version of the book, which still clocks in at a hefty two and a half hours.
Although the movie moves very fast and the audience had best not miss a second if they intend on picking up on all the details, all the necessary information is there. The filmmakers take plenty of time to explain the secret (which I won’t ruin for those who haven’t watched the movie or read the book) and the movie flows well, despite its frenetic pace.
The ending bothered me, however. It is quite a bit different from the book, and I didn’t understand why the filmmakers chose to change it. It doesn’t make sense if they did it because of time constraints because the movie’s ending is probably more complex than the book’s. I enjoyed the book’s ending more, and though they both have the same overall concept in them, I don’t see the need for the change.
Overall, The DaVinci Code is probably a movie for someone who doesn’t intend to read the book. I read the book first and was upset at some of the omitted and changed parts of the movie. It is a fantastic adventure ride that has plenty of twists and turns but lacks the detail the book includes. But that’s how it always goes. The book is always better.
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