1. For someone who has not read the book, I find Angels and Demons quite entertaining, what with its breakneck speed and rich production values. This then forces me to grab the book and read it, for I heard there were a couple of subplots which were overlooked by the director. Nevertheless, this latest Dan Brown-inspired religious action thriller (three genres you don’t usually see together) is nail-biting and entertaining altogether.
2. It’s a harmless entertainment which hardly affects the genius and mystery of Christianity — less bashing of the church.
3. Where Angels and Demons succeeds is in its sequences of violence, disturbing images, awesome backdrop and celestial speed. With much of the story set in Vatican City, we get to see the intricate architecture of the churches, which massively promotes Rome. Meanwhile, the acting and some of the effects come so fast that if you take a pee, you may miss a murder.
4. Anyone can fly a helicopter.
5. Ewan McGregor’s performance here is probably one of the highlights in this film. He brilliantly chews up every scene he is in as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna who is temporarily manning the Papal office while the cardinals are in the conclave.
6. The church was not portrayed as anti-science at all. In fact, Galileo would have been really happy about the establishment of the Vatican Observatory.
7. There were a couple of heavy philosophical exchanges along the way, including the big one, “Do you believe in God?” posed by the Camerlengo to Langdon. The professor quickly replies that the existence of God is beyond his mind to determine. “And your heart?” asks the priest. “My heart is not worthy.” Ron Howard does an even-handed job of balancing the scale.
8. The room which holds the antimatter was totally unguarded, making it easy for the assassin to break in by stealing someone’s eyeball to get past the retinal scanner.
9. Vittoria Vetra’s purposes are: (1) to explain that the battery will indeed run down, (2) to request her father’s secret journals from Geneva, although they were never actually read, and (3) to run along everywhere with Tom Hanks, to bore us with urgent conversations.
10. That’s a lame way of suicide. Come on, you could do better than that.
You should really read the book.
Its interesting that you’re really keen ha! I loved your observation re the intricate architecture of churches.
The scene where Ewan Mcgregor’s character asked Langdon is my fave part, I remembered my old post re faith and belief of God.
BTW It’s good that you were entertained! :)
I had an Art Appreciation class before and we used to tackle about architecture. I got interested with the different eras and shit, so I became critical with the aesthetic values sa film. Haha.
it was a good version of the book. but i still prefer the latter. nice review though.
Thanks Sir! :)
read the book ken, read the book.
I will, I will!
Nagandahan naman ako sa movie though i haven’t read the book yet. I will try to read that one of these days.
Ako rin Doc. :D
angels and demons (book and movie)…much much better than the da vinci code… read the book, ken…
vittoria vetra is hot….she looked a little like anne hathaway…don’t yout hink?
Oh yeah. I’ve read and watched Da Vinci Code already, and I must say, this one’s better.
Yes. Vittoria Vetra’s really hot. Plus she’s a physicist. :D