Fellas, You called Me (Angels and Demons (DVD))

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	Angels and Demons (DVD)
Date:	23/10/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A decent enough movie with some good performances

Disadvantages: Not as good as the book

During Conclave at the Vatican the four candidates most likely to succeed the recently departed Pope are kidnapped. The only clue left behind is a symbol and a video tape and that leads the Vatican to turn to the only man who could possible uncover the mystery, Harvard professor Robert Langdon. Despite his rocky relationship with the Church Langdon agrees to help them try and discover who is behind this wicked plot which will end only when the four candidates are dead and the Vatican has been destroyed. Now Langdon faces a race against time to save the Cardinals and the Vatican itself, but will he make it?

I have to admit that this is my favourite of Dan Brown's books on the adventures of Robert Langdon and for that reason I think I've been delaying watching the movie. While I'd enjoyed Ron Howard's adaptation of the Da Vinci Code I thought it wasn't as good as it could have been so it left me wondering if Angels and Demons would be the same. Having finally sat down to watch Howard's adaptation of my favourite Langdon adventure I'm still left a little underwhelmed. It's not that it's a bad movie, because it really isn't and keeps you entertained throughout, but simply put it's just not as good as the book.

That was always going to be the problem for Howard in converting Dan Brown's books to the big screen. This one in particular has a very involved storyline that kept me hooked on the book and without making the film too long there was no way he could fit in everything. That said he does do a very good job of making the movie. The special effects are incredible with some very well set up scenes, one in particular with the fire inside a church was a very well shot part of the film and that is something repeated throughout the movie.

He's made sure the plot of the story runs in line with the novel and again this does work well but it's in the plot that there is something missing. Granted Howard keeps the pace of the film flowing well and it holds your attention but it just doesn't feel right. I still couldn't help feeling that the book could have made a better film and while the Da Vinci Code proved that watching Hanks running around as Langdon does make an enjoyable movie it just isn't quite what you had in mind when you were reading the book. This in itself is perhaps the problem, had I never read the books I'd have loved this movie, it's fast paced action with a few mysteries and some interesting plot twists. As I have read the book though it leaves me disappointed as it just doesn't feel as deep as the original story.

I'm not wanting to take anything away from the performances of the cast either. The more I see Tom Hanks in the role of Professor Langdon the more I start to realise he is the perfect choice to play the hero of the hour. He seems to have the charisma and presence on screen to take on the role and given the descriptions of Langdon that Brown builds up over the books he seems the perfect choice. While Hanks shines in his role I thought Ayelet Zurer wasn't the right choice to play Vittoria. There wasn't the chemistry that Langdon enjoyed with his Da Vinci Code co star and it let down the story a little.

The rest of the cast are all well suited to their roles. In particular I found Ewan McGregor's performance as the Camerlengo to be one of the best things about the movie. He plays the role exactly as you would imagine it from the book and I really felt that the role couldn't have been cast any better. There is also an outstanding performance from Stellan Skarsgard fresh from his singing exploits on the Greek island's in Mamma Mia. He is superb as the head of the Swiss guard and really highlights how good Howard is at getting the best out of his cast.

Despite my reservations and that nagging feeling that the movie could have been better I am going to contradict myself slightly here. It's a decent film that does do justice to the book but it's more my expectation of what I found to be a thoroughly enjoyable book. It continues the success of the Da Vinci Code and justifies the movie rights very well. It's got a little something for everyone as well with a fast paced story that is continually moving, some cryptic clues that keep you guessing throughout and a few little twists that f you haven't read the book will come as a surprise and work well. It's a film that I'd recommend to anyone whose seen and enjoyed the Da Vinci Code and even those who just enjoy a good mystery.

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Summary: Film adaptation of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons