Da Vinci Code (Film Review)

Posted on 2006/06/07 02:13:16 (June 2006).

Saw Da Vinci Code Saturday Evening. I mentioned that I had great reservations about seeing this film. Let me say that my greatest fears were realized: this film is a blatant rip-off of Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. There is, however, one significant difference...

The Story: Eidetic professor of semiotics (I assume?) or history discovers that another academice he was to meet for drinks is dead. The dead man has a symbol on his chest which sets in motion a chain of improbable events that will unveil the greatest cover up in history...if only you can stay awake.

The Good: Impressive array of actors/actresses appear in the film. A very nice hook. Some intriguing suggestions.

The Bad: It's a rip-off, no doubt. Also, it really dragged along. Also, the moments of revelation were borderline infantile. *strange note plays in background* "Da Vinci!" Hanks hisses. I mean, come on.

Bottom Line: Foucault's Pendulum for (ignorant or uneducated) Dummies!

The Grade: CI'm giving this film a C because if I hadn't read Eco, I would have thought that this was almost an average film. It's neither an action film nor a thinking man's film. I'm not sure what it is, but it's not terrible.

I have to disagree with you, Travis. Why don't you turn filmmaker and re-shoot it, if you're so displeased! ;-)

Posted by Sheri at 2006/06/07 07:43:42.

Eco was very critic of this book, Brown did a good job in mking widely accepted to the public a story that was there to be taken.
I haven't seen the movie, so I'll comment later, but the book was quite good.

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/07 09:09:00.

Sheri: I've shot a few short films, I've written several screenplays. I hope to be a "real" filmmaker some day...but rest assured, if I ever become a filmmaker, I wouldn't touch such rubbish :)

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Posted by Travis at 2006/06/07 14:15:37.

Any chance we could see some of the short movies? I mean some jpeg on the net or something like that? Everyone here is quite critic of the movie, but nevertheless I wanna see it.

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/07 15:58:45.

I enjoyed the movie. I haven't read Dan Brown's book but I did cheat and listen to Foucault's Pendulum on tape. (That's how "(ignorant or uneducated) Dummies!" read Foucault's Pendulum ) Besides, Foucault's Pendulum is more than 600 pages long. That's way over your suggested 300 page limit. :) Wait for Eco to step up and denounce Brown. If he doesn't then you should give it up too.

Posted by Erika at 2006/06/07 17:05:21.

Batch o' responses:

Sheri, I should note that I reviewed the movie...not the book. Haven't read it. Also, one's ability to outperform another work is not grounds for criticism of the original work of art. The fact that I can make better films doesn't make Da Vinci worse, just as, if I couldn't make a better movie, the film would not thereby be better.

Lox: I sure wish there were something. Alas, I don't have any final footage that I can even put onto the net. Most of it is not digital, but even the most recent attempt "Deadline", which appears in digital format, cannot be uploaded, and the original cut is lost. I do have the raw footage though. Soon. I just need some time...when that happens, who knows?

Erika: Foucault's Pendulum could have been shorter. That doesn't change the fact that Eco is an amazing writer. Eco probably wouldn't denounce Brown...that's not classy. That's why you denounce the work instead.

Posted by Travis at 2006/06/07 18:46:58.

At the risk of sounding somewhat-less-than-intellectual, I am surprised to see no mention of Audrey Tautou in this review!

I'm concerned that perhaps she didn't really shine in this film.

Travis - have you seen Amelie?

Posted by John at 2006/06/09 05:56:59.

John, I've only seen the beginning of it. I've seen several of her other films, and I think she's quite competent. Her role in this film is more of a sidekick, in the bad sense of the term. She really doesn't have much of a chance to shine.

In fact, McKellen is about the only one who stands out. That's a shame because I think Tatou, Reno, Hanks are all skilled actors.

Posted by Travis at 2006/06/09 14:35:01.

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