A conspiracy, history and beautiful cinematography bring life to this film
The Dan Brown character of Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) was first brought to the big screen in May of 2006, in Ron Howard’sThe Da Vinci Code which is an adaptation of the book of the same name. Hanks reprises his role as Langdon in Angels & Demons, again an adaptation of the Dan Brown novel of the same name, where the Vatican enlists in Langdon’s help to try and find out how the secret society “the Illuminati” plan to destroy the church.
The entire movie is based around the 12 hours after the Illuminati make themselves aware to the Vatican. Brining Langdon into the fold and how he attempts to help the church save them from the threat. My only problem with this was, a time was given when the Vatican would be destroyed, yet with few hours remaining it seemed they were not rushing, just walking at a very slow but casual pace trying to figure out how to stop the conspiracy. I am not expecting Hanks and his fellow actors to be breaking into a full gallop as we cut from this room to the next but at least show some urgency to trying to find out how to stop the Illuminati.
Howard has much weaker cast than the previous film that included Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany, Jean Reno and Alfred Molina. Aside from Hanks returning as the title character we are introduced to Ayelet Zurer (Vantage Point), Ewan McGregor (The Island), Stellan Skarsgard (God on Trial), Piefrancaesco Favino (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Nikolaj Lie Kas (Pu-239) and Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises), this is not a weak cast but they don’t hold a candle to the acting bravado of The Da Vinci Code.
Tom Hanks was more believable as Langdon during his second go around, probably more comfortable with the character. McGregor is probably the weakest of the bunch in his role as the Camerlengo Patrick McKenna. He does have enough screen time but aside from the a few moments you do not believe him as a man of the church. Seeming so out of character during a speech in front of the cardinals, talking about religion and science, saying that they should be more open, and less like the secretive Illuminati, all I could think of was how he did not fit in with the massed group of cardinals. Armin Mueller-Stahl portrayed Cardinal Strauss with a demeanor that made him the strongest actor whenever he was on screen.
The pace of this film was much better than The Da Vinci Code, not bogged down with as much of the dialogue. Howard gets Hans Zimmer again to score the film, marvellously manoeuvring his music as part of the film itself, and many scenes would have been flat and couldn’t hold a viewers attention without Zimmer’s score.
Using the Italian language throughout the film with and without subtitles brought froth another bit of realism, some scenes where the subtitles were absent made you feel Langdon’s loss or confusion about what is happening.
If you like brief bits of history littered throughout your movies with very scenic landscapes of historic Rome and the Vatican weaved into a strong conspiracy theory, this movie is made for you.
While a few of these movies won’t be big box office hits. These are the movies I am most looking forward to watching coming up this New Year. It looks like May will be the busiest month with a movie every week. Guess I should go get my popcorn ready! I would also like to thank Trailer Addicts for making the movie trailers easy to place for your viewing pleasure. Check back shortly after the movies come out as there more than likely will be a review for it.
The Unborn – Jan 2 – David S. Goyer hasn’t succeeded as a director as he has a screenwriter, but the trailer looks good enough that I will check it out.
The Plot: Haunted by strange dreams and recurring ghostly visions, Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) turns to a spiritual advisor (Gary Oldman) for help. Together, they learn that Casey had a twin brother who never made it to term, and that her intended sibling is tied to a curse that requires Casey's death in order to manifest itself in our world.
Notorious - Jan 16 – A bio pic of the West Coast rapper looks good from the strong cast and with newcomer Jamal Woolard playing a young Notorious B.I.G. looking to make a name for himself. Derek Luke plays Sean “Puffy” Combs who I was surprised didn’t play the role himself.
The Plot: A chronicle of Christopher Wallace's (Woolard) rise from the streets of Brooklyn to become Notorious B.I.G., one of biggest and best rappers of the 1990s, under the tutelage of mentor/producer Sean Combs (Luke)
Watchmen – Mar 6 – Another comic book based film that looks like it could be really good given the director loves the material and didn’t want to do a disservice to it. But with a lawsuit between WB and Fox on who owns the rights the movie has a possibility of the release being pushed back.
The Plot: Set in an alternate vision of the year 1985, the murder of an ex-superhero causes a vigilante named Rorshach (Haley) to look into the matter, an investigation that reunites him with his surviving old colleagues -- all of them former superheroes themselves -- and gradually unveils a conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – May 1 – With Hugh Jackman returning as the character who made him a household name and his arch nemesis Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) returning in this prequel we could be looking at another great X-related film. Although the first trailer didn’t make it look fantastic, it definitely looked better than X3.
The Plot: An origins story that follows the early life of James Howlett (Jackman), also known as Logan, and best known as Wolverine. The chronicle of his younger years as a mutant connects to his relationship and eventual falling out with Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Schreiber), and his fateful entry into the Weapons X project, the governmental program that turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons.
Star Trek – May 8 – I have never been a huge Star Trek fan but after hearing JJ Abrams was going to be taking the helm I was intrigued. And after seeing the first trailer I will be going to see this one in the theatres.
The Plot: The origin story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before.
Angels and Demons – May 15 – May will be a busy month already without the sequel to The Da Vinci Code being released. I enjoyed Angels and Demons the book over The Da Vinci Code so I have high hopes for this movie.
The Plot: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) finds himself in Rome, where he has to race against time to prevent the Illuminati, a secret society, from putting in motion a terrorist act that could destroy the Vatican. He's aided in his quest by the beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria Vetri (Ayelet Zurer).
Terminator Salvation – May 22 – Christian Bale looks like he is more than ready to step into John Conner’s shoes, with McG at the helm and a solid supporting cast of Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin and others. Another movie franchise I was never fond of looks like it could draw me in for a look see.
The Plot: John Connor (Bale) is joined in his attempt to defeat Skynet and its army of Terminators by Marcus Wright (Worthington), a man who apparently has been rescued from the past, though Connor wonders if instead he's been sent from the future as a foil to his plan. As Connor and Wright push deep into the heart of Skynet, they get closer and closer to learning the secret behind the organization's mission to wipe humankind off the planet.
Up – May 29 – Another Pixar movie taking to the skies, this one literally. Until Pixar makes a bad film I don’t think you can go wrong walking into the theatre to see this movie.
The Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Public Enemies – Jul 1 – Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in this Micheal Mann film base of the real life gangsters of the 1930s. Also has a fantastic supporting cast.
The Plot: The incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp)the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoovers fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Jul 3 – Not much is known about the plot yet and no trailer or poster has even been released at this point. But with everyone from the original reprising there roles I don’t think you can not go see this unless the trailer looks god awful.
The Plot: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – Jul 17 – I have liked each movie more and more in this franchise so my hopes are rather high for this movie. After being pushed back from a summer 08 release it will finally see the light of day.
The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same.
Tom Hanks was more believable as Langdon during his second go around, probably more comfortable with the character. McGregor is probably the weakest of the bunch in his role as the Camerlengo Patrick McKenna. He does have enough screen time but aside from the a few moments you do not believe him as a man of the church. Seeming so out of character during a speech in front of the cardinals, talking about religion and science, saying that they should be more open, and less like the secretive Illuminati, all I could think of was how he did not fit in with the massed group of cardinals. Armin Mueller-Stahl portrayed Cardinal Strauss with a demeanor that made him the strongest actor whenever he was on screen.