The DaVinci Code (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen Special Edition)

The fuss about Dan Brown's best seller & this subsequent motion picture based upon it is perplexing. So what if Jesus had a wife & daughter? I'd prefer to believe that he had a completely fulfilling mortal life. Does Brown's well researched theory threaten Christendom? If so, how? My faith hasn't changed.

The Roman Catholic church has a vast history of condoning torturous & murderous gangs as the Inquisition & Crusades! Today, the same denomination is notorious for the largest child, teen & adult sexual harassment ring & cover-up by US bishops & cardinals in history. In contrast, Brown's theory isn't a violent one; in fact, it's heart warning to imagine a religious martyr having had a love life that produced a child after his death. There's more evidence in the Gospel of Thomas (that neither Brown's book nor Howard's film mention) in its final verse 114: Simon Peter tells Jesus to get rid of Mary because women don't belong in "the life" with men (disciples). Jesus responds in the last line of the verse, that he'll make Mary male, saying that any woman who makes herself male for God's sake will inherit the kingdom of heaven. He spoke in parables, remember? Not speaking literally about making Mary into a transsexual, Jesus refers to the irrelevance of sex & gender when it comes to spirituality. It's a 'conceivable' theory this movie 'incarnates'. Dan Brown's story, Akiva Goldsman's screenplay & Ron Howard's movie go like this:

On a business trip in Paris, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a symbologist from Harvard, learns that the curator, Jacques Saunière (Jean-Pierre Marielle), of the Louvre museum's dead & apparently murdered there. Once Professor Langdon meets with the French police captain, Bezu Fache (Jean Reno), they find cryptic writing near Saunière's body. Langdon (Hanks) has no trouble solving the encoded writing Saunière left on the Louvre's floor in front of Leonardo DaVinci's "Mona Lisa." 'Agent' Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), who's really a French cryptologist, meets Langdon at the scene & secretly warns him that to avoid Captain Fache who wants Langdon dead. Tension, thrill, chase & intrigue begin at this point.

Cryptologist Neveu & symbologist Langdon flea the Louvre death scene on the run for their lives. The clues they've both deciphered lead to are a hidden in plain sight secret in masterpieces by DaVinci.

The late curator was deeply involved with the Priory of Sion, a true life secret society that has allegedly protected 'The Holy Chalice' for 2000 years. In breakneck chases through Paris, London & points in between, Neveu & Langdon are tracked by members of Opus Dei, a nefarious, Papal approved, Catholic
fundamentalist-supremacis​t group that's planned to take possession of the Priory's secret charge. Neuve & Langdon hide at the estate of Langdon's professor friend, Sir Leigh Teabing (Sir Ian McKellen). Teabing joins with Neveu & Langdon to unravel the secret mysteries of history of their lifetimes.

Sir Ian McKellen proves that Tom Hanks is no match for his acting skill. There's humor for adults in line the 2 exchange:

Langdon (Hanks): The ancient male symbol was the blade, it's a basic phallus. It's still used today on military uniforms.
Sir Teabing (Sir McKellen): Yes & the more penises you have, the higher your rank. Boys will be boys!

Audrey Tautou as Sophie & Sir Ian McKellen as Teabing each have & deliver the best lines throughout "The DaVinci Code."

The Da Vinci Code is a movie that has been the object of critics' scorn since Cannes. Therefore when I went in my expectations were quite low. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this intellectual treasure hunt. Action sequences boldly intertwine with quieter scenes where codes and symbols are being deciphered to lead to the next clue. At times we get the back story of what has happened to a persecuted religious sect through out the ages. The flashbacks to ancient Rome are brief but beautiful. In addition there are some gorgeous locations for filming, among them the Louvre and Rosslyn.

Hanks and Tautou perform like the pros that they are--it is interesting that two actors known for their whimsical charms were cast in such serious roles. Generally actors starring in thrillers will be those known for their laconic delivery and quietly passionate intensity. However, Tom Hanks was playing a professor of symbology and as such he did a fine job.

The supporting cast reads like a list of international superstars: Alfred Molina, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno and Jurgen Prochnow--all were superb.

One of things I liked about this film is how it gave the audience the opportunity to view the world from the perspective of someone who is used to looking at symbols and their meanings, in particular of things that most of us don't even notice most of the time. It was an unusual and fascinating angle on perception.

This a movie that tries to pack some very deep concepts into the thriller/treasure hunt genre. Overall I think it succeeds rather well.

As a big fan of the best-selling book, I was disappointed in the movie. It is beautifully made with some of the most picturesque scenery ever shown in a movie: the Louvre, the Temple Church, Westminster Abbey, and finally Roslyn Church. The settings in the book truly come to life as Ron Howard captured the essences of the locales. Tom Hanks is great as Robert Langdon, an antiquities expert who gets pulled into the mystery of the Louvre curator's murder. Special and granddaughter of the Louvre victim, Agent Sofie Neveu (Audrey Tautou)is believable as his accomplice but is not electrifying in the part. It's too bad that a young Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Loren could not have played Sofie. Ian McKellan as Professor Leigh Teabing is also great as a mysterious helper in the story.

The story revolves around the 20 Century Old feud between the two Roman Catholic sects known as the Priory de Sion and Opus Dei. Supposedly, the Priory is protecting the remaining heirs of Jesus's marriage to Mary Magdalene. Opus Dei wants to find them and perhaps murder them. The chase in the movie is to find both the Opus Dei murderers and the remaining heirs as well.

But what is so disappointing was the ending, which was entirely different from the book and really not as forceful. Too bad. It ruined what could have been an extraordinary adaptation of a book to the screen!

Overall, this movie is still worth watching over and over because it is so visually beautiful. Try it, you'll like it--especially if you like the book.

I bought the 2-Disc Widescreen Special Edition of this movie. Disc 1 contains the movie in its entirety. On Disc 2 is the first day on the set with director Ron Howard, A conversation with Dan Brown, A portrait of Langdon - How Tom Hanks became Robert Langdon and more.

It seems that the movie picture quality is just a bit dark but the viewer needs to realize that much of this movie is shot at night. Ron Howard did a good job with casting however I was a little disappointed to see "Forrest Gump" playing Robert Langdon. Tom Hanks did an excellent job in the role and I soon overcame my disappointment.

Casting Audrey Tautou as cryptologist Sophie Neveu was an excellent move on Ron Howard's part. Sophie's character made Hank's performance of Robert Langdon all the more believable.

Paul Bettany was cast as "Silas". Bettany's performance was right on the mark and makeup did an excellent job making this actor look like an albino.

Overall I didn't spot anything in this movie that looked incorrect or fake. A lot of work seems to have gone into the effort of getting it right the first time. On the downside of things, many details from the book were left out of the movie. For this reason, even though the movie was great I think I preferred the book.

If you do purchase this movie spend a little more and get the 2-Disc set. I think the extra is really worth it.

A truly thought provoking film that knocks Jesus off the pedastal he's been placed on..Do I believe in Jesus/God? yes, do I want to believe Jesus died young never knowing love? No, I would rather he be married and have a pile of Children to carry on his legacy...This film was well written, well acted. A truly thought out storyline is always better..Film begins with a strange murder needing solved..through out the ages Man has used God as an excuse to murder innocent people..is the bible the true version of what really happened? Some find that hard to swallow since the bible was in fact written by Man..if those are the facts why are there varying versions..One should not watch this film with a closed mind..we were unsure what to think as we began the movie, but as it progressed we knew alot of questions had been raised...sadly religion tends to brainwash many..How many religious cults are there in this world?? It's sad really..I was once asked to change my religion from Southern Baptist to Catholic..I said no I refused to sin Mon. thru Sat. ask for forgiveness on Sun. then return to my sinning on Mon. I thought about switching to Christianity..then I got a good long look at how they whorship...they preach only God judges yet Christians seem to judge people left and right...they preach about love yet they push hatred for those who are different, I have seen movies and heard stories about KKK members going out and committing murder then going to Church on Sun morn..tell me that isn't blasphemous...I cannot stand any religion that twists and turns the bible around to suit their own needs..as it stands and this movie reinforces my beliefs I will adopt all religions not follow any one religion..I do not go to church yet I do pray, yes God has granted me a few miracles...and it's not because I follow mans basic idea of God it's because I believe with all my heart..God is a God of love he does not condone war, hatred, violence..nor does he pay favour to those who commit murder in his name..I love this film for the simple fact it allows us to see Jesus as he was truly born a man! Give this movie a look see with an open mind, and if you say no then congratulations you are judging this film wrongly!! 5 out of 5 bars!