The much anticipated movie in 2006 and probably the most controversial, hit the big screen worldwide which is based on the bestselling 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. The movie was previewed at the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2006. The Da Vinci Code then entered major release in many other countries on May 18, 2006 with its first showing in the United States on May 19 2006. Because of some controversial interpretations of Christian history in both the book and movie, they were criticized by the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican officials have been injecting the public that the movie is filled with slander and errors, even though, of course, there's no way they could have yet seen it. Actually one former nun has advised Christian moviegoers to see "Over the Hedge" this weekend instead. Better to embrace the reality of talking animals than the possibility that Jesus and Mary Magdalene might have borne children together. Also some bishops even urged members to boycott the film. Many of the early showings were accompanied by protesters outside the movie theaters, and early critical reviews were decidedly mixed. But however, in its opening weekend, the film earned over US$224 million worldwide, second only to the opening of 2005's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It is the second highest grossing movie of 2006 worldwide having reached US$756,270,019 as of November 2 2006. Those statistics can back me up when I say that this film is really successful in the box office.
The plot of the movie is about a Harvard Professor of Symbology named Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) who is caught up in a murder that takes place in the Louvre in Paris. Near the body of the victim the police have found a baffling code. Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci, clues visible for all to see, and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter. Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), whose father knew Langdon and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion, an actual secret society who's mission is to keep secret the location of the Holy Grail. A secret they believe will devastate the Catholic church and Christians all over the world. In a breathless race through Paris, London and beyond, Langdon and Neveu try to track down the mystery of The Da Vinci Code before it falls into the wrong hands.
While not as exciting as it sounds, the movie does move well. It's not an action movie, don't be fooled by the ads on TV. It's a good mystery and a thinker. That's so hard to come by these days and this movie delivers just that. My favorite parts of the movie involve Hanks and Tautou who, I think, makes a great team. Also I love the character of an Albino guy who was chasing them (played By Paul Bettany). The direction by Ron Howard was good and moved much better. The only thing that was really annoying is it seemed to go on forever towards the end. It could have been cut 30 minutes and not suffered at all. Besides that, it's a great mystery and I had a blast!
Overall Brown’s story and Howard’s film provides an above the bar suspense thriller with some fresh and wild theories. Only the most exceptional movie ever lives up to the book it's based upon. And while this movie doesn't quite live up to its source material, it is an entertaining summer blockbuster for everyone. If you enjoyed the book I don't see how you could fail to enjoy the movie. So grab this chance and purchase a copy of this very controversial movie The Da Vinci Code in DVD format and discover the truth within yourself. Just visit the DVD auction site ,DVD.TV, for more details on how you can get a copy of it. Enjoy!
