Entertaining and fast paced (Angels and Demons (DVD))

Member Name: carlz2001uk

Product:	Angels and Demons (DVD)
Date:	30/07/09 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Story

Disadvantages: Repeating at times, appropriate rating?

I went to the cinema to see Angels and Demons on its first night, with an open mind. I had heard mixed reviews about the follow up to The Da Vinci Code and not all of them were great. After picking up the book, and then putting it down again permanently, not too long after starting it, I thought I may have struggled a little to get into the film. However, I was wrong, and was soon gripped to the fast-paced story, and in places controversial story.

Ron Howard is the director of Dan Brown's second novel, with a good cast including Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen and Ewan McGregor. Its long at 2 hours and 18 minutes but its worth your time.
The film follows Harvard University symbologist Robert Langdon who has been asked by the Catholic Church to uncover the secret society known as the Illuminati and a suspected plot to destroy the Vatican City using destructive antimatter. The antimatter has basically been stolen from a high security research facility and once taken from its electricity supply, it switches to its back up battery, which will only power it for 24 hours. After this time it will effectively become a nuclear bomb. The film felt a little silly in parts with the clock ticking down, however this was obviously part of the story.
The story then turns to the recently deceased pope, and the Papal Conclave who have convened to elect the new pontiff. It is soon discovered that the four Preferiti, (cardinals who are considered to be the most likely candidates in the election), are missing. Langdon begins searching for the Preferiti and the missing antimatter canister.
Convinced that a modern day Illuminati are responsible for the disappearance of the Preferiti, Langdon retraces the "Path of Illumination", an induction once used by the ancient Illuminati of new members; which requires following a series of clues left in various landmarks relating to the Church. The Path leads Langdon to four major locations in Rome, each associated to the four elements of earth, wind, air and fire. Upon arriving at each location, Langdon finds one of the Preferiti murdered in a fashion appropriate to the location's respective element. The film continues with its cat and mouse chase and I felt it spent a little long following this, where they could have spent more time in other areas that were a little sketchy.
I won't tell you the whole plot, but there are many twists and turns in this at time complicated film. You have to keep your eye on the ball with this film and I recommend not nipping out during the film, or if you can wait for the DVD to come out and then you can pause it! Miss one bit and you will wonder what on earth is happening!
There are obviously 'baddies' in the film, with the finger pointing at quite a few different people, but this is another twist in itself at the end.
The one problem I had with the film was that it was rated as a 12, which means that children are allowed to attend viewings with parents; however, there are some very graphic scenes of murder, which are definitely not appropriate to children. This film should have been rated at least a 15 perhaps even an 18, given the scenes in question. I will of course let you make your own decision on that one.
I liked the general story of the film as it brought in the obviously fictitious story of the antimatter and it potentially blowing up Vatican City, but it also had elements of truth in certain parts and facts that were interesting which I had not known before. I would definitely recommend this film, it is full of action, has a good plot and you learn a little at the same time!

Summary: Entertaining film and you learn a little at the same time!