He wasn't terrible but he just didn't come up to par with some of his previous roles which I felt was a shame. After Wimbledon I wasn't sure of his acting skills but The Da Vinci Code proved him worthy of many of the actors in Hollywood today.Tom Hanks is one of my all-time favourite actors but I have to say he just didn't seem comfortable in the role of Robert Langdon. Paul Bettany was also tremendous in this film and it made me see him in a different light. Perhaps most memorably, Ian McKellen delivers a star turn as the scholar Leigh Teabing.Over twenty years ago, Umberto Eco's novel "The Name of the Rose" was the equivalent in its time of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." The subsequent film version of Eco's story was a disappointment in its attempt to equal the success of the novel version of "The Name of the Rose." In the case of Ron Howard's film version of "The Da Vinci Code," however, not only does the film do justice to the novel, but in many respects it is better! The supporting cast was solid with Jean Reno especially successful in developing multiple layers of characterization in the morally conflicted detective Bezu Fache. As Sophie, Audrey Tatou was more dynamic than Robert, as appropriate to her character as well there was a sparking and even radiant quality to this young performer. But that is precisely the bookish Everyman who is the protagonist of Dan Brown's novel. Salvatore Totino deserves the highest praise for his tasteful yet imaginative camera work.ACTING: Tom Hanks was not overly charismatic as Robert Langdon. The flashback sequences were shot in a grainy style that contrasted with the action-packed story of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu. There was also the thoughtful use of close-ups in the more intimate moments with a brilliant analytical scene dissecting the controversial "chalice" apparent in Leonardo's "Last Supper."CINEMATOGRAPHY: Overall, the film was appropriately dark and moody. It was clear that Howard wanted not merely an action picture, but a leisurely paced retelling of Dan Brown's story. DIRECTION: Ron Howard's stylish approach to the film includes interesting camera angles, especially in the aerial shots of such great location sites as the Louvre in the Paris and the Rosslyn chapel in Scotland. To his credit, Goldsman provides dialogue on the Knights Templar, Mary Magdelene, Leonardo's "Last Supper" mural and other details from the novel.
Again, I highly recommend this movie! A+ the atmosphere makes it more fun and also you can talk about this with others after seeing it, instead of catching up to everyone later and possibly getting spoilers before you watch. I normally wait for movies to go on DVD to rent, but this is one that I'd recommend you see in the theater. Seeing the movie allowed him to look at it differently, which made it exciting all over again.So, in summary, this seems to be a great movie no matter how deep you are into the Da Vinci Code. He also said that watching the film put a new perspective for him on the movie, since he imagined things looking and feeling different in his head. He pointed out some things from the book that weren't there as well, but he understood it couldn't all be there. He said they did a great job adapting the book to film, and although not everything was there, they did the best that they could with the time they had, and he was impressed.My friend was so excited throughout the movie, he kept wanting to talk to us about it.
I came out of the theater ready to add this list to my favorites, and wanting to read the book to compare it to the movie.My boyfriend also thought the film was great. Having no story to compare it to, I didn't feel like I had to have read the book to understand the story. So we actually had at least 3 differing perspectives here.I really loved the film. I went to see the movie with my boyfriend, who read the book recently, and some friends one of whom has read the book at least twice, and is so into the story that he has researched the symbols and meanings thoroughly and participates in Da Vinci Code games, forums, etc.
I'm not here to give you any spoilers or story info, since that's all been done in the other reviews.I have never read the book. Feel threatened by this movie or any other story like this, you have serious problems regarding the foundations in which you believe.Now, to the review.