2003 proved to be the year of DaVinci. Author Dan Brown latched onto to the collective psyche of an entire religion and scored off the charts with his “DaVinci Code.” The ensuing fervor over his take on the history of Jesus and Mary Magdalene fueled tons of speculation, and to Brown’s benefit, the equivalent amount of press. What followed led to 60.5 million copies in print and an almost equal number of specials on the Discovery and History channels as well as the obligatory feature film. Three years prior, however, Brown introduced the world to the helmet-haired symbologist Robert Langdon in a little tale called “Angels & Demons.”
Tom Hanks reprises his role as Dr. Robert Langdon. He of the non-existent Harvard department of Symbology is once again called upon to save the Catholic Church. This time, the stakes are quite possibly graver than his first outing. A beloved Pope has died, and the Papal Conclave has begun. This is the ritual that will eventually produce the next Pope. This ceremony is marked most notably by the vote of the College of Cardinals and the white smoke that rises above St. Peter’s Square in Rome, thus signaling that a decision has been reached. It is under these circumstances that an aggrieved foe of Christianity has resurfaced.
Langdon will be doing battle with the Illuminati. An ancient sect of scholars forced into hiding by the purging of early Christianity, the Illuminati have waited patiently for the right moment to seek their revenge for the horrors visited upon academia. They have decided to use science’s latest discovery, antimatter, as their tool of vengeance. Langdon will have to traverse the many layers of politics, Italian police, Rome’s police and the Vatican’s own Swiss Guard, decipher a vague threat, and avoid a cold-blooded assassin in order to stop the impending destruction of Vatican City.
Gone is the aforementioned helmet hair made famous in “The DaVinci Code.” What the team behind that was thinking (or if they were thinking) is beyond me. Thankfully, the annoying cadence of speech Hanks adopted for the first film followed said helmet into the annals of film history. The man is still arguably the finest representation of a star alive today. Every waking moment, whether in an interview or a sighting on the street, is handled with an honesty and a demeanor that overflows with a truly golden heart and showcases his sparklingly, witty personality. While not surrounded by the caliber of actor the first film garnered, Hanks finds himself once again paired with an exotic beauty, Ayelet Zurer as Vittoria Vetra, and several accomplished popular faces. Ewan McGregor leaves his light saber behind as Carmerlengo Patrick McKenna, the late Pope’s closest aide, and Stellan Skarsgard tackles the role of Commander Richter, the top officer of the Swiss Guard. All performed sensationally under the watchful eye of director Ron Howard. Howard kept the pace brisk and utilized the awe-inspiring scenery to bring in an enjoyable, nicely flowing film. When he needed brutality to shine through, he did so tastefully, and when effects were called for, they too were like Baby Bear’s porridge — just right.
The film’s major glitch is the complete lack of subtlety. This seems to be a lost art in recent major releases, and I find it to border on insulting. Do we need a response spelling out the definition of what Hanks has just stated every time he remarks about something? Do we need stereotypical portions of the film’s score to let us know that malice is afoot or that something really bad is about to occur? This film tackles the serious debate between science and religion. It delves into topics held sacred by millions on both sides and walks that razor skillfully start to finish. To herald the obvious is to diminish the work and it’s loftier goal: a civil debate between science and religion.
At day’s end, the film is a very enjoyable slice of life, and you will not regret paying the extortioner’s fee to catch a screening. I also hope that no matter what side of the debate you find yourself on, you will acknowledge the other camp’s position. In our increasingly insular society, the ability to see another’s perspective seems to be hiding out with the art of subtlety. I for one am willing to put up cash to reward anyone with information regarding their whereabouts, and subsequent return. With a little luck this can occur prior to the release of “DaVinci Code II.” Otherwise, I think I’m going to need some of that porridge.
Rating: W W W
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