The Da Vinci Code (2006) - Directed by Ron Howard
Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, violence, some nudity, thematic material, brief drug references and sexual content.

It feels like I'm one of the only people left who has not yet read The Da Vinci Code. I was planning on doing so before the movie came out. Yeah...That didn't quite work. But I saw the movie anyway and, although I can't really compare it to the novel, I must say that I enjoyed it.

In The Da Vinci Code, sybmologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) unlocks a secret code in Da Vinci paintings in the Louvre after being summoned there to help in a murder investigation. However, after the zealous Captain Fache (Jean Reno) is convinced Langdon is the murderer, Hanks teams up with Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) and Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) to clear his name and unlock the secret of Da Vinci's code--a secret that will shake the very foundation of human history.

This movie is just shy of 2 and a half hours long, and it feels like it. That's not to say that it isn't an exciting 2.5 hours, but those looking for a light blockbuster romp may want to look elsewhere. The Da Vinci Code tells an elaborate story that requires audiences pay close attention to experience it to full effect. It will probably be easier to follow for those that read the book, but for a newcomer to the story, I found myself getting lost on a few occasions.

Tom Hanks? Meh. Ian McKellen is the real star of this flick. He basically stole every scene he was in. As did Paul Bettany, playing the role of the albino-assassin, Silas. His self-mutilating, Nun-punching attitude was the movie's high point for me.

In short, The Da Vinci Code is a great piece of fiction retold as a tight, smart thriller. The pacing slows it down at times and suffers from Return of the King Syndrome (my term for a movie that seems to have multiple endings), but the story is a good one and Ron Howard's presentation of it is top-notch. From someone who hasn't touched the book, don't feel intimidated if you haven't either. See it, you wont be disappointed.

Rating: 4.5 / 5