(Released on 5/15/09)
Tom Hanks returns as the intellectual symbolist Robert Langdon in the adaptation of Dan Brown’s best seller Angel and Demons, re-teaming with Academy Award winning director Ron Howard. Angels and Demons (the book) is the prequel to The Da Vinci Code. However, as a film, it’s difficult to distinguish which of the two comes first. Much like The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons is a hefty story that is driven by a massive puzzle with a slew of religious undertones. However, this one is much more complex…a little to complex for my taste.
It’s said that in the past, the Catholic Church has committed many atrocities (I know. Hard to believe, right?). Some of which were against a secret underground group called the Illuminati, who at the time consisted of just a bunch of old dedicated scientist. It was only after the Church’s horrific acts of carnage, that the Illuminati turned to violence as a means of revenge.
So, back to the movie. In the wake of the Pope’s death, it’s deduced that a member of the Illuminati has kidnapped four members of the Catholic Church favored to replace his holiness in the Papacy. An act of revenge for the atrocities against them.
Now, with Cardinal Strauss (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and the rest of the Church’s Cardinals and religious figures locked in Conclave (the process by which a new Pope is elected), a pulsating “anti-matter’ bomb tensely ticks towards midnight. And Robert Langdon and crew have a mere eight hours to find it and solve the puzzle, or…”Pop! Goes the weezle.” (i.e. everyone dies!)
In a joint effort to solve the mystery, Professor Langdon is aided by a horde of eager problem solvers. Vittoria Vetra (Ayelete Zurer), whose mother fell victim to the Illuminati. Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) who so dutifully fufills the temporary void left in the Papal Office. The head of the Swiss Guard, Commander Richter (Stellan Skarsgard), who keeps a fierce and watchful eye on Langdon and Vittoria.
Along the ride, we travel deep inside Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, and witness beautiful recreations of some of the most cherished structural accomplishments as they’re woven into the story. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel.
The best part of this film is Tom Hanks, despite not being on his “A-Game.” I’ll watch anything with Sir Tom in it. I will say this, he’s in a lot better shape than he was for The Da Vinci code. Stellan Skarsgard was decent as was Ayelete Zurer and Armin Mueller-Stahl. None of them stood out. Ewan McGregor, was good as well, though I’m usually not a fan. I’ll put it this way, he didn’t annoy me like he usually does.
The film as a whole, was decent. A little long winded, drawn out and slow paced at times. Not to mention, it took a while for me to get into the actual story despite some good action sequences. Action doesn’t always equal entertainment. Remember that!
IMDb – 6.9/10
Rottentomatoes – 37%
MovieWiseGuys – 6.0/10
June 8, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I did not really like Angels & Demons, except for the action scenes. I fell asleep through like half of it so that explains it self how bad of a movie I think it was. The plot was hard to follow and the movie was too superficial. The action was entertaining, but that is never tells the plot of the story. I really hope a third one does not come out.