The Da Vinci Code
-the movie
I have never been the movie-crazy fanatic to catch a movie on its first day out. But with this one, it was different. And catch it I did, with a friend.
After its showing in Cannes, and the world wide release on Friday, there were enough reviews to curb my enthusiasm about it. Still, a book that had me hooked even during the third read, when made into a movie....I had to watch it.
This might be just me, but this is what I felt about the film. It was taken for those who had read the book. (ofcourse that is a big majority). The few like my friend who had not, had concepts whizzing over their head. (now she has resolved to give the book a read:)) For those who had read the book, their imagination as projected by Ron Howard was not good enough.
There were some instances though, a few scenes that were just like I imagined they would be...with very little alterations from the book. The expressions, the environment, the faces, it was an image I had while reading the book. Rest, I felt was rushed. Certain characters who needed more emphasis did not get what they deserved. Like Silas, though he was menacing, was not menacing enough and Sir Teabing...there did not seem to be a big let down when there was a twist in his character. There seemed something wrong about him from the start. The trust that I had in him in the initial phase of his appearance in the book was not there in the movie. (again maybe that's just me)
But excellent casting. Especially Alfred Molina as Bishop Aringarosa was the best choice for that role. Also with regard to the costumes and make-up...No! Tom Hanks' hair was not distracting at all. :) It did not pull away any seriousness from Langdon's character and I did not laugh everytime I looked at him...maybe just once!
The grainy flashbacks that were considered cheesy by some, did it for me. It was exactly the way I pictured those scenes while reading the book. Simple and to the point. As with any book-to-movie-conversion, it is hard to fit in a whole novel with intricate details into a 2-2.5 hr movie, but this attempt was good enough.
Ultimately, this movie is a big hit for 2 reasons. All those who read the book would want to check out how Ron Howard projected it on screen. Those who had not read the book at first might opt to get into all the hype (better late than never) the easy way, and after watching it, might feel the need to read the book 'cuz 'it just does not add up!'
Either way, Dan Brown has had his impact all over again.
After its showing in Cannes, and the world wide release on Friday, there were enough reviews to curb my enthusiasm about it. Still, a book that had me hooked even during the third read, when made into a movie....I had to watch it.
This might be just me, but this is what I felt about the film. It was taken for those who had read the book. (ofcourse that is a big majority). The few like my friend who had not, had concepts whizzing over their head. (now she has resolved to give the book a read:)) For those who had read the book, their imagination as projected by Ron Howard was not good enough.
There were some instances though, a few scenes that were just like I imagined they would be...with very little alterations from the book. The expressions, the environment, the faces, it was an image I had while reading the book. Rest, I felt was rushed. Certain characters who needed more emphasis did not get what they deserved. Like Silas, though he was menacing, was not menacing enough and Sir Teabing...there did not seem to be a big let down when there was a twist in his character. There seemed something wrong about him from the start. The trust that I had in him in the initial phase of his appearance in the book was not there in the movie. (again maybe that's just me)
But excellent casting. Especially Alfred Molina as Bishop Aringarosa was the best choice for that role. Also with regard to the costumes and make-up...No! Tom Hanks' hair was not distracting at all. :) It did not pull away any seriousness from Langdon's character and I did not laugh everytime I looked at him...maybe just once!
The grainy flashbacks that were considered cheesy by some, did it for me. It was exactly the way I pictured those scenes while reading the book. Simple and to the point. As with any book-to-movie-conversion, it is hard to fit in a whole novel with intricate details into a 2-2.5 hr movie, but this attempt was good enough.
Ultimately, this movie is a big hit for 2 reasons. All those who read the book would want to check out how Ron Howard projected it on screen. Those who had not read the book at first might opt to get into all the hype (better late than never) the easy way, and after watching it, might feel the need to read the book 'cuz 'it just does not add up!'
Either way, Dan Brown has had his impact all over again.
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