If Da Vinci Code...

The Da Vinci Code is a good movie.

That is, if Da Vinci Code...

Was not read beforehand.

It's a very bold act for someone to make a movie out of a book. Especially a book that is widely-popular, with alot of hype placed upon it. Cos simply there's a reason why it is famous (or infamous, depends who looks at it.) in the first place. Can the movie find that reason and portray it in good light? Producers take a gamble in such ventures.

When I saw that they made a movie out of 'The Da Vinci Code', I thought it was kinda cool. Cos I didn't read the book. Weird huh? Reason being I saw the book at every corner when it was being cradled by society then. I hate to jump aboard a wagon simply cos everyone is on it. haha! That's why, I didn't read it. The movie proved to be a good chance to allow myself to be exposed to *drum roll* "The Code". ----=}>

If a person had not read the book, like me, it would be a wonderful movie. I would be disgusted by the number of stars given to it by the critics. The number is kinda like the number of star(s) in our lonely Singapore skies. =P I think the highest I saw was a 2 out of 5. Sigh. It's not that bad actually. It moves along at a fast pace; with alot of facts thrown in for good measure. But the problem lies with alot of facts and fast pace. They don't usually go together, unless you offer people a free 2nd viewing with their movie tix, at least the audience can digest half of what's going on.

Alot of times, the movie brushes through the facts presented in the book like a runaway train. The director probably felt that all he had to do was to list out all the facts just like how the book did. But a book can list; and a movie just can't do that. I couldn't recall how many times in the movie, I was, like, "What was that?" But Robert Langdon aka Tom Hanks ignored my pleas to repeat what he said and went on his role in the movie.

For a storyline that emphasizes on conspiracies since 'Everybody loves a conspiracy.', the history behind it is important. A conspiracy would not be plotted out of nothing at all. It would be a complete waste of time. There has to be something serious behind it to justify all the efforts behind this conspiracy. But because all the facts went by like a mad bulll, all I could see were the puff of smoke left behind. And I was left with the main gist of this guy, the girl and a cripple after the Holy Grail which the movie slowly sheds light on (but not the history behind it), with some killer monk at their heels. Yes, it sounds like a very exciting plot, because it really is. But compared to the book, the feeling of suspense and intrigue it stimulates is completely different. Sadly, the movie fades in comparison.

Oh, what was the title of the movie? Some guy's name right? Hm, right, Da Vinci. The movie places so little emphasize on Da Vinci that I almost forgot alot of clues were forged out of his brainchilds. This is one aspect where the movie suffers. The name 'Da Vinci' is mentioned or brought into the spotlight in quick flashes through the movie that it doesn't quite serve up to this name becoming the title of the movie at all.

I guess it is difficult to make a movie out of this book anyway. Conspiracy or not, it treads too much on seriousness. It discusses controversial topics on Christianity, a religion. And we all know how sensitive religion is. Besides that, with so many people already reading the book and expectation at so high a level, it's hard to meet at that level. Unless, there are more people like me who watched the movie before reading the book. I would have written the review for the movie already and after reading the book... Dang! But it's too late, my wonderful review is on the way to the press.

For a movie to base itself largely on so many years of history and be kept strangely accurate and believable, it is a tremendous task. It has to be kept a movie and not become a documentary while feeding the graveness of the situation to the audiences' small and under-utilized gray matter. Just pray they understand.

Unlike other book-to-movie productions, Da Vinci Code can only bank on it's controversial history which excites everyone's conspiracy mind. 'Lord of the Rings' has its glorious effects, lovable characters, breathtaking sceneries, awe-inspiring storyline and not to mention, its vast body count. All these play all the factors towards it being a wonderful movie. Who cares if the movie left out any supposedly major parts from the book? I know it took my breath away. I always felt something after hearing Aragorn's prep speeches before a fight to the death with the legions of orcs.

Take 'Minority Report'. It's futuristic technology and perfect crimeless society. With a little conspiracy thrown inside to spice up the plot even further. Another perfect book-to-movie conversion.

Let's go for one more. 'A Walk to Remember'. I'm sure everyone who has watched it will at least, feel that pinch in their hart. In normal circumstances, a packet of tissue should suffice. Haha! These are just some of the better book-to-movie productions. Probably the reason for these books being famous is easier to grasp and the directors have no qualms at all in showing the audience for what the book really is.

The characters are boring too. With so many things crammed on their shoulders in such a short time, I thought they were going to suffocate. I don't know, they seem lifeless while going after the elusive Holy Grail. Okie, not really lifeless, but lacking that personality. And does Langdon have superpowers? The way the words jump out from the anagram. Whoa! Abit exaggeration there. Even when I haven't read the book, I had this thought. With X3 around the corner, that thought strengthened further. Somehow, the book brings his solving the anagram in a subtle manner with regards to his talent in such things as opposed to powers-like abilities. Prolly the book has more space and time to add in the characters' background bit by bit, where all the bits forms his/her personality, if not, most of the big picture.

Take Silas for example, in the movie, he's this bad ass monk that self-mutilates himself with a cilice and some thick blood-soaked rope (forgot the actual name) which he uses to make his back bleed. OuCh! Yet, some humanity is shown in the book, or rather, it's described how his humanity was stripped away from him by society, largely due to his dysfunctional family background and his albino condition. So at times in the book, I could feel some pity for him, wondering how much the religion he believes in can push him. It's amazing how one's beliefs can push them beyond certain, can I say, inhumane boundaries, simply just for the question of faith.

Don't mind me, but I'm someone who likes to emphatize with the antagonists. Be it a game, book, or film, the introduction of the villian proves to be something more interesting for me than the entranc of the hero. I find every creation of the antagonists to be most successful when people actually feel for them but at the same time, they still need to be punished for the things they have committed. Sigh... such a cruel hand of justice. But it's still needed though. Sometimes, I get more thrill understanding villians (if they are made out to be worth understanding...) than cheering the protagonists on all the time. Haha! That's just me. ^^

In any case, they are some better moments in the movie as compared to the book. I like the part where Teabing describes the hidden meanings contained within 'The Last Supper'. Even though there are one or two points omitted out from the book, the visual aids bring out the effect in a very convincing way. Seriously, if you follow along without thinking too much, you will really go along the flow and believe whatever he says. Very nice effect there.

The conclusion is also nicely done in the movie. I can feel the sense if fulfilment in everything when Langdon bowed down in front of Magdalene's tomb at the Lourve. Although his sense of inspiration is abit off, imagine cutting himself while shaving then seeing his blood swirl in the sink, all these is supposed to set his brain cells working and solving the riddle? I don't know, abit hard for me to believe.

Anyway, these are just some of my thoughts regarding 'The Da Vinci Code'. Notice I didn't touch on anything regarding the church or Christianity at all. Haha! Just decided to concentrate more on the movie aspects as it being just an action thriller kinda movie. Ooh.. don't wanna step on controversial religious topics in my blog. =x

I would give the movie a passing grade, and not degrade it all the way, even though it had degrade the book in some way. At the very least, it had captured alot of scenes from the actual places and yup, all the architectural design is beautiful. This will help in visualising whatever the book had described. If you like the book, then it's worth a watch. Even if you step out of the cinema shaking your head, well, at least, you'll appreciate the book even more. Whatever it is, you win. Haha! =p

No dense canoes!
(I'll end with a simple anagram, and no, it's does not lead to anything controversial.)

Lonely miser wives!
(And... hm, a personal message)

Cheerios people! ^^