Well, I had been looking forward to this movie for a while, having enjoyed the book, but I had been nervous during the week leading up to it because of negative reviews returning from the Cannes Film Festival. I saw the movie tonight, and to start off I'll say that, as do most movies based on books, this movie does not measure up to the novel. It is, however, an entertaining film; I do, though, have a number of complaints. My review follows, sans any of my perspectives on the validity of the theories presented in the novel.

As anyone who has read the book will expect, Ron Howard has tried to capture an awful lot of material into a feature-length film. The effect is that, while some things are covered very well, some details and backgrounds could be confusing to those who have not read the book. I cannot hold this point against the film, though, because it manages to be enjoyable despite the rushed nature of some scenes.

There is one point that bothers me very much and was an unnecessary change. Robert Langdon's character in some parts of the film is inconsistent with his character in the novel and with his character in other parts of the film. During the scene in which Leigh and Robert discuss the nature of the Holy Grail, Robert serves as a skeptic to Leigh's theories rather than agreeing on most points as he does in the novel. It seems to me that Langdon's character has been manipulated in strategic scenes to diffuse some of the controversy over the novel's ideas. Langdon, in some scenes, seems to regard Leigh as a nutty conspiracy theorist, and in other scenes seems to agree with Leigh's conclusions.

The change to Langdnon's character is also evident near the end of the film when he tells Sophie (who is, I might add, absolutely gorgeous in this film) that he had prayed to Jesus during a childhood tribulation, providing Christian viewers with a character who seemingly confirms their belief that Jesus is the son of God.

All in all, The Da Vinci Code does a respectable job of conveying the suspense and mystery of the novel. Certain details seem crammed in, and some parts of the plot may be confusing to those who have not read the novel, but the film is an exciting adventure nonetheless.

The change in Robert's character seemingly to appease Christian viewers is troubling to me, but it does not terribly hurt the film. I would recommend ,however, that viewers read the book; it is a much clearer version of the story, with its characters' true natures intact, and a more beautiful conclusion.

Yeah, I did kind of get upset with all the inaccuracys from book to film but you have to expect it when making a near 500 page book into a near 3 hour film.
The whole ending was a great deal off aside from the very very end. It just didn't hold a candle to the book at all.

I've never read the book, but/so I thought the movie was pretty good. I missed that last riddle though : / I need to hear it again to get why he ended up there.

Yeah, if you haven't read the book, some of the riddles don't make as much sense. Basically that last riddle that led them to the church at the end had a dual meaning that Langdon realized later; it makes more sense in the book, because Sophie's grandma sorta hints at it.

[quote="Jomei"]Yeah, if you haven't read the book, some of the riddles don't make as much sense. Basically that last riddle that led them to the church at the end had a dual meaning that Langdon realized later; it makes more sense in the book, because Sophie's grandma sorta hints at it.[/quote]
I meant the one that took him to The Louvre

[quote="Tatsu-Kun"][quote="Jomei"]Yeah, if you haven't read the book, some of the riddles don't make as much sense. Basically that last riddle that led them to the church at the end had a dual meaning that Langdon realized later; it makes more sense in the book, because Sophie's grandma sorta hints at it.[/quote]
I meant the one that took him to The Louvre[/quote]

Yeah, that's what I meant. The same riddle that led them to the church leads him to the Louvre; it has two meanings; one leads Sophie to her family, and the other leads to the actual location of the Holy Grail.

Four reasons not to watch this movie:

1. Ron Howard
2. Tom Hanks
3. Audrey Tatou
4. The Da Vinci Code

[quote="discovolante"]Four reasons not to watch this movie:
3. Audrey Tatou
[/quote]
She's a total babe in this movie.

[quote="Tatsu-Kun"][quote="discovolante"]Four reasons not to watch this movie:
3. Audrey Tatou
[/quote]
She's a total retarded cunt in every movie she's in.[/quote]

I liked her. Oh well.

[quote="discovolante"][quote="Tatsu-Kun"][quote="discovolante"]Four reasons not to watch this movie:
3. Audrey Tatou
[/quote]
She's awesome in Amelie.[/quote][/quote]

Saw the movie Tuesday. Really enjoyed it. Can't compare it to the book 'cause I didn't read the book (and probably never will ).

[quote="discovolante"][quote="Tatsu-Kun"][quote="discovolante"]Four reasons not to watch this movie:
3. Audrey Tatou
[/quote]
She's a total retarded cunt in every movie she's in.[/quote][/quote]
I never said anything about her acting

[quote="omnistry"][quote="discovolante"][quote="Tatsu-Kun"][quote="discovolante"]Four reasons not to watch this movie:
3. Audrey Tatou
[/quote]
She's awesome in Amelie.[/quote][/quote]

Saw the movie Tuesday. Really enjoyed it. Can't compare it to the book 'cause I didn't read the book (and probably never will ).[/quote]

Amelie fucking sucked balls.

Man, did she piss in your coffee or what?