The Da Vinci Code: Review

 

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The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, a controversial film.

Before everything else, I'd like you to know that I'm a FAN of Dan Brown and I've read the book The Da Vinci Code five times.

   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. WATCH IT. PERFECT FOR MOVIE DATE, STUDYING, TO PASS TIME, AND EVERYTHING ELSE!

    Anyway, back on the topic, The Da Vinci Code is a film adapted from Dan Brown's book with the same title. We could say the story is a series of Robert Langdon's journey in a murder case 😐. The first book by Dan Brown was Angels and Demons which was also adapted into a film, followed by The Da Vinci Code with the same actor Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon. 

    The Da Vinci Code began with the death of Jacques Sauniere the curator of Louvre Museum. Following the death of the curator, Robert Langdon was suspected of murder, thus began the chase between him and the Paris police officers. Along the way, he met Sophie, granddaughter of the deceased.

    While on the run, they were also tailed by the curator's murderer as Langdon was the key in solving the mystery behind the Holy Grail. As the story unfolded, it was revealed that Jesus had a child with Mary Magdalene, and Sophie was the Holy Grail as she is the only living descendant left.

    This is the part where the book and film were greatly criticized, as the topic of Jesus having a marital affair was highly controversial and misleading. The film had even reached the point of being banned across the country, as the Vatican protested that the movie and book can lead people's faith to be misguided, to which I agree.

    Let me tell you this, I am a catholic, though not an avid believer of all the doctrines of the church, I believe in God, hence I consider all perspectives regarding my religion - including conspiracy theories - in third-person perspective. When I read the book, my uncle warned me to read it with discretion as it may affect my faith and belief regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ. Of course, I shrugged off his warnings as something a pious man would say.

    I was 16 at that time and thought how big of an impact could one book possibly do to my belief, but dear God was he right on the spot. The story was well written with a plot that could easily be followed, and even presented historical references for pieces of evidence of the conspiracy theory that I totally believed in the possibility of Jesus having a child with Magdalene. 

    So, when I found out the book was adapted I excitedly watched the movie and to my surprise the scenes depicted in the movie was exactly as I imagined. The dedication to directing was felt and depicted although out the film. 

    Tom Hanks has also portrayed Robert Langdon explicably magnificent. They did not miss out on showing his claustrophobia and passionate dedication towards the historical ties of the Knight's Templar and Freemasonry.

    However, this is me nitpicking. I was rather disappointed with how Sophie was portrayed. I imagined her to be someone quick-witted, agile, devious, and physically assertive, but instead, she looks like some lost, spoiled, short-tempered girl in the film. I don't know if its just me, but she seems like a granddaughter with grandfather issues most of the time, clumsily scattering around with a murderer and Robert. Maybe because I had high expectations, as I imagined her when I read the book, so seeing her as a burden and the majority of the looks like someone who's always surprised by her own knowledge, frustrates me.

    Anyway, ultimately, the movie is a perfect fit while studying and especially writing a thesis, it helped me lessen my frustration over the RRL, so it might also with you. Just watch it and see for yourself!