Image Courtesy © 2009 Sony PicturesWhat irks me about Dan Brown, Ron Howard and the entertainment industry in general, is their shared eagerness to join in the stunt and capitalize on people's gullibility and overall ignorance about history, science and, well, film promotion. Although Catholics and other Christians objected more fiercely to the The Da Vinci Code because of its outrageous claims that Jesus was married and fathered children (among other absurd accusations directed toward the church), some leaders are voicing their concerns again, including the President of the U.S. Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Bill Donahue. He describes the film as a blending of fact, fiction and conspiracy theory aimed at smearing the church. The Vatican, however, after the May 4 premiere in Rome, evaluated the film, calling it "commercial and inaccurate," though merely "harmless entertainment." Perhaps they are wise to the stunt.
Informed readers know that Dan Brown writes fiction, but moviegoers may not realize the built in inaccuracies of the fabricated story. Only bits and pieces are based on historical truth. If you decide to see it, don't be fooled by the perceived veracity of the called upon experts. Roman Catholic leaders of the past did not secretly order brutal killings to silence Illuminati members. And there's no proof that the Illuminati existed in the 1600s with Galileo (as the film suggests) or that it still exists today. Oh, and about the possibility of terrorists blowing up the Vatican with antimatter? In this article, a CERN spokesman assures us that this part of the plot is "fantastical."
Once you've got the story firmly set in fiction, sit back, relax, and be reasonably entertained. Angels & Demons runs at a much faster-pace than The Da Vinci Code, giving it the potential for more success than its predecessor, and since it follows more faithfully to the novel it's based on, Brown fans will likely find it even more appealing. At the start, I amused myself with this question: Why is Harvard religion expert Robert Langdon (Hanks) so focused on preserving and protecting the Vatican when he spent all of his energy in the The Da Vinci Code exposing the horrors, lies and conspiratorial treachery of the Roman Catholic Church?
Incidentally, in the book version, Angels & Demons comes first, while on the big screen, The Da Vinci Code takes the lead. This reverse sequencing of the two stories is about the only confusing element of the plot. Eventually, I had to admit that the producers did a great job breaking down the book's complexities into an easy to follow, entertaining storyline. In a nutshell, symbologist Robert Langdon, brilliant solver of Da Vinci's code, is summoned to Rome by the papacy to join forces in a suspenseful and thrilling race against time to unravel a 400-year-old conspiracy and save the Vatican City from annihilation. Whew! Like a typical urban legend, the story grows outrageously unrealistic (and commercially predictable). Unlike the esoteric and tedious Professor Langdon of The Da Vinci Code, Hank's hero character has evolved into a combination of Bruce Willis' McClane in Die Hard and Raider's Indiana Jones.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and thematic material. Viewers who don't want to hear the use of God's name in vain ought to be warned, although the instances are few. Other than artwork and statues, there is no nudity, and almost no sexual content. One of the motion picture's most valuable elements is its beautiful cinematography, incorporating actual locations and stunning re-creations of Rome's landmarks.
Now, on to the big question stoking the urban legend stunt ... is the movie anti-Catholic? Not really, in my evaluation. Instead, it magnifies and cashes in on the tension between science and religion. In an early scene, a reference is made to science obliterating faith, which sets the backdrop of an ongoing battle that rages all throughout the film. Both sides take hits and both sides deliver punches, but the producers take far more opportunities to stab and jab at the church, religion and faith. As a person of faith who appreciates the sciences, the constant roiling-just-below-the-surface hostility annoyed me, though I managed to push past it and get caught up in the story. It was sort of like being at a picnic. The sunshine, the breezes, the ball game and the barbecue were all very enjoyable, but the presence of those irritating mosquitoes never escaped my awareness. Occasionally, I just had to swat at one.
Prepare for a swat: While the storytellers repeatedly attempt to convince us that the Vatican operates behind a veil of lies and deception, don't forget, the storytellers are weaving their lies and deception (fiction) as well.
Though bloodied, beaten and exposed, in the end, the men of faith receive a respectful bow from the grand intellectuals. In an idealistic (and somewhat corny) closing scene, all of the animosity evaporates into a healing group hug (representative, not literal) between the members of the faith community and the fellows of the science world. Nonetheless, the friendly opponents remain firm yet cordial in their respective corners. A Cardinal offers thanks to God for sending professor Langdon to their aid in Rome. Langdon responds, "I don't believe he sent me." The Cardinal affirms, "Of course he did."
Using the crowds of worshipers, the film undeniably reveals the gullibility of people. Let's face it, we have a tendency to be easily deceived. But, let's not join the masses, people. Let's not take this story for anything more than a story. Even if it is a good one, don't buy into the urban legend. Take it or leave it for what it is: entertainment.
I could not have said it better. You go girl.
Excellent review, Mary. Very well written.
After seeing The Duh Vinci Code, I’m not sure I want to waste good money on another bad movie. It just encourages them to make more!
I seen this at the movies with my sister. I was yawning throughout the movie. My biggest concern though is for people who don’t know anything about christianity and take what the da vinici code and this movie as fact in it.
Actually I find it funny that some Christians think that the world is only 5000 years old. I also find it funny that they believe that dinosaurs were planted by scientists, or Satan to deceive. By the way while the Da Vinci Code did had alot of fiction to it the parts about Jesus having a child and being married are veru probable based on some found transcripts. Anyway believe that you want, but don’t be to complacent to live under a rock.
I saw it yesterday and was traumatised by who ended up being the evil one(not saying to spoil it for others xD), while in Da Vinci Code, it wasn’t as surprising for me. Hehe.. Anyways, what I’d also like to mention is that I love that, even though they always made small hits to religion, they’re only showing what people really feel like.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of them, but I’m constantly bombarded by remarks that insult God or christianity around me in College, by teachers mostly.
So, when I saw the movie, I didn’t see anything from what caracters said different then what I hear here. Actually, it was even said with some respect showing(since of course, if a movie would just say NO TO GOD, there’d be many fewer fans).
What I didn’t like though, that even if Dan Brown tried to make the “mean” christian(or more like catholic) mastermind die in the end so that people wouldn’t like them, they actually die very respectingly. Like, I mean,
*WARNING!!!! SPOILER-SPOILER*
-when Silas dies in Da Vinci Code, he’s praying for forgiveness and stuff and we can understand the caracter a bit more because of the novel, instead of simply dieing in the movie and saying that he’s a ghost.
-*END SPOILER-END SPOILER*
While, in Angels & Demons, the caracter that dies in the end seems more like a coward hiding from the police than what is written in the book.
So yeah, I actually like the books and the movies, even though my heart aches for every determined christian who simply lost his way and dies in the end. XD
That’s all I have to say.. Hehe..
I have read the book, where professor Langdon is brought to Switzerland then goes to to the Vatican. The movie changed from the book such as the past pope having fathered his secretary was only brought up at the very end. Professor Langdon went up in the helocopter and escaped with a parachute made from a tarp.
Well written review.
Yes, sadly, it seems easier to believe and remember movie lines than real history. Reason being, all the emotional, visual and auditory information coming in really pulls us, headlong into a story, so if it claims even a shred of truth, that is all most people need to accept said “facts.” At least that is what Hollywood would have us think.
Same for novels, they pull you in, and once they have you by the heartstrings, it becomes difficult to separate fantasy and reality.
Unfortunately, Howard makes a great movie, and Brown actually writes (relatively) well.
Now if only the subject matter were better.
John Akers wrote:
“Where are the creative men and women, the writers, the artists, the filmmakers who will capture the imagination of our confused world in the name of Christ? Where are those who will expose by their work, those vanities and contradictions of our age and affirm with all the skill they can master, that only in Christ are the hidden resources of his wisdom and knowledge?
“Unless we communicate to our generation through the art forms that influence it, our convictions will continue to be judged irrelevant, unworthy of examination, by modern secular man. May God raise up those who will fill the gap.”
Dan Brown ain’t the guy.
>>Now if only the subject matter were better.< <
Amen, bro! Amen
>>
John Akers wrote:
“Where are the creative men and women, the writers, the artists, the filmmakers who will capture the imagination of our confused world in the name of Christ?<<
I ask that question all the time.
Watch These Free On The Web
Illuminating Angels & Demons
Feature Film|1:30:51
View Description
Based on Simon Cox’s international bestseller of the same name, this in-depth documentary examines what is true and what is false from Dan Brown’s best-selling novel “Angels and Demons”
http://www.hulu.com/watch/71580/illuminating-angels-and-demons
ALSO
Cracking The Da Vinci Code
Host and author of international best-seller Cracking The Da Vinci Code, Simon Cox, takes you on an in depth journey through the heart of the mysteries behind Dan Brown’s best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/70966/cracking-the-da-vinci-code
So much of what you’ve said in this article is based on blind Christian ignorance and unwillingness to admit that hey, we can be wrong! OMG who would have thought something 2000 years old could get muddled throughout the years?? Sometimes I hate that I’m a Christian, because I’m lumped in with people who absolutely refuse to believe things because their faith isn’t strong enough to adapt to new information.
“Why is Harvard religion expert Robert Langdon (Hanks) so focused on preserving and protecting the Vatican when he spent all of his energy in the The Da Vinci Code exposing the horrors, lies and conspiratorial treachery of the Roman Catholic Church?”
Because in The Da Vinci Code, he was breaking down symbolic meanings and old legends, exposing secrets that should never have been kept, whereas in this movie, he’s saving ARCHITECTURE and LIVES. I couldn’t imagine losing all those centuries of art and architecture to a bomb, and saving lives speaks for itself. As for secrets and ceremonies, those things can be revealed and no one is worse off for it.
I agree, this movie is absolutely entertainment, but to deny that there were never massacres of Illuminati is just stupid and brainwashed. In the end, this film could do one of two things – challenge your faith and make you angry, or reaffirm your faith and make you proud.
Christians, sadly so, never understood art unless it was commissioned to their standards. Thankfully the dark ages are over. Thinking is not a sin although I know you have tried to make it one.