The Da Vinci Code (2006) - Reviews & Comments Thread [Merged]

[Spider-X]

"******ed, rediculous, and crushingly dull."
-Devin Faraci CHUD

Christ!...i'm still going to see this on friday 'cause i love Hanks and the book...but Christ!

 

[Downhere]

That, and also Xmen fans are voting this film down.

That is one of the most idiotic statements I have seen. X-Men fans are voting this film down? Right. Can't the movie just be plain old bad? Just because Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are behind this doesn't mean it's going to be pure gold. DVC is hardly the best story ever told.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Just because Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are behind this doesn't mean it's going to be pure gold. DVC is hardly the best story ever told.

Yes, And you have a very bias opionion, because you can't get off you butt as a christian and accept that this book is selling millions every day, why? Because yes its one of the best stories ever told!

 

[Downhere]

Yes, And you have a very bias opionion, because you can't get off you butt as a christian and accept that this book is selling millions every day, why? Because yes its one of the best stories ever told!

You don't know me and you don't know what opinions I hold. So what if the book is selling millions every day. Harry Potter does and many others and they are not considered the best stories ever told. I'm sorry, DVC is no where near one of the best stories ever told. All it is, is a run of the mill thriller that uses controversy to sell. That is all it is and all it will be.

You just can't face the fact that the movie might actually suck.

 

[Darth Elektra]

was poseidon that bad?

from the trailers it looked decent.

Personally I thought it was ok.

 

[Downhere]

Personally I thought it was ok.

I agree with that statement, it was ok in the mindless action popcorn film kinda way.

 

[Darth Elektra]

[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]COULD BAD REVIEWS HELP?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]The service also reported that 74 percent of those buying tickets said their religious beliefs did not affect their decision. The book has come under criticism from religious groups who object to its premise that Jesus and Mary Magdalene married and had a child together.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]By comparison, advance ticket purchases for DreamWorks Animation Studio's "Over the Hedge," also opening Friday, accounted for 4 percent of sales.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Box office watcher Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Inc., said the bad reviews may help the box office, at least in the short term.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]"It means people are talking about this movie, and you have to remember that there is often a disconnect between critics and audiences. What will really count for this film is word of mouth, and that will not make itself felt until the second or third weekend," he said.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]He said he would expect that the film would make about $50 million in its opening weekend.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Chad Hartigan, box office analyst for Reel Source said he expected the film to do between $60 million and $80 million in its first weekend, helped in no small part by the public's awareness of the novel.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]"Our office saw the film and thought it was great. The general public will be more forgiving than the mainstream critics," he said.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]MovieTickets.com said "The Da Vinci Code" was tracking very high in advance of its weekend opener and had 10 times more tickets sold than "Mission: Impossible III" during the same time in its sales cycle.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]The Tom Cruise action film, the first of the summer's big-budget movies, opened two weeks ago to a disappointing weekend gross of just under $48 million.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Brandon Gray of Boxofficemojo.com said he thought "The Da Vinci Code" would gross about $70 million in its first three days. "It has real audience interest and a real fan base," he said.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20060517/114792073200.html

[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]
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Awsome I still predict a 70million weekend.

 

[Darth Elektra]

I agree with that statement, it was ok in the mindless action popcorn film kinda way.

Yea, I paid matinee. So I was happy.

 

[Downhere]

DVC will open huge but fall off quickly if word-of-mouth is as bad as the current reviews.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Downhere, Sorry I jumped just a secont ago. I tend to go over board sometimes.

 

[Darth Elektra]

DVC will open huge but fall off quickly if word-of-mouth is as bad as the current reviews.

I would agree with that especially with X3 next weekend.

 

[grey_jeanie]

I think people will be intrigued by it and watch it. Also it will attract those who heard good comments about the book but couldn't be bothered to read i

 

[Downhere]

Downhere, Sorry I jumped just a secont ago. I tend to go over board sometimes.

No problem, when I saw that I had this whole "Oh no he didn't!" go through my mind. lol. But it's cool though...I understand you love DVC...I don't mean to come off as rude or anything when talking about DVC, just expressing my opinion is all.

 

[Darth Elektra]

No problem, when I saw that I had this whole "Oh no he didn't!" go through my mind. lol. But it's cool though...I understand you love DVC...I don't mean to come off as rude or anything when talking about DVC, just expressing my opinion is all.

lol, Yea, Its one of my favorite books, And I understand its completly Fictional. But anyways I had no right to jump.

 

[grey_jeanie]

I don't know abut anywhere else but in the UK they have really been plugged these 'Behind the DaVinci Code' type documentaries. They interview all these stuck-up, toff-nosed historians who are just going on about how it is all crap and how Dan Brown has put such stupid facts and concepts in his book.

Is it's fiction people! Dan Brown is telling a story not trying to start some new religion, and he has been very successful in doing so!

They just annoyed me although the programs were quite fascinating.

 

[Downhere]

lol, Yea, Its one of my favorite books, And I understand its completly Fictional. But anyways I had no right to jump.

That's cool. I understand it's totally fictional too, I've read some of it but I just could not get into it. Even though it's fictional, the story still bother's me. Maybe that's why I can't get into it...who knows. lol. Either way, I think it's possible that the film is going to make it's budget back and some change. Possibly do better internationally than domestically which should help keep it in the black.

 

[Darth Elektra]

I don't know abut anywhere else but in the UK they have really been plugged these 'Behind the DaVinci Code' type documentaries. They interview all these stuck-up, toff-nosed historians who are just going on about how it is all crap and how Dan Brown has put such stupid facts and concepts in his book.

Is it's fiction people! Dan Brown is telling a story not trying to start some new religion, and he has been very successful in doing so!

They just annoyed me although the programs were quite fascinating.

Yep,were getting the same stuff. History channel is doing alot of that stuff.

 

[Darth Elektra]

That's cool. I understand it's totally fictional too, I've read some of it but I just could not get into it. Even though it's fictional, the story still bother's me. Maybe that's why I can't get into it...who knows. lol. Either way, I think it's possible that the film is going to make it's budget back and some change. Possibly do better internationally than domestically which should help keep it in the black.

With the budget rumored at 125 million it should be able to make that back. Im not so sure how it will do Overseas because of so many countries banning the film.

 

[grey_jeanie]

Yep,were getting the same stuff. History channel is doing alot of that stuff.

From wtching it I'm thinking of also reading Holy Blood and Holy Grail. It sounds like there is alot of new theories and 'evidence' in there that Dan Brown didn't include. Stuff about Templar churches in France positioned in penticles, also an island of Finland has the same. also about a legend of Mary Magdalene arriving in France in an oarless boat with the 'grail' and marrying into the Meravingian (spelling?) dynasty.

 

[Downhere]

I think it has the UK and other European nations in the bag. I mean, it should do well enough in European nations to make at least 200 million internationally. Add another 150 (or so) million domestically and that's 350 million which the studio gets about 55% so 185 million which gives sony around 20-30 million profit just from the theatrical release. Then you have DVD's and all that good stuff so I think Sony will be ok, it may not be what they expect, but they will come out in the black.

 

[Darth Elektra]

From wtching it I'm thinking of also reading Holy Blood and Holy Grail. It sounds like there is alot of new theories and 'evidence' in there that Dan Brown didn't include. Stuff about Templar churches in France positioned in penticles, also an island of Finland has the same. also about a legend of Mary Magdalene arriving in France in an oarless boat with the 'grail' and marrying into the Meravingian (spelling?) dynasty.

The Holy Blood and Holy Grail is "bad" Because the writers say that they have proof that Jesus did marry, and that Mary went to France. Dan Brown has said a million times, the da vinci code is fictional. So thats sorta of the differance. I prefer the Da Vinci Code over Holy Blood and Holy Grail. Much better written.

Have you read 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown ?

 

[Darth Elektra]

Something the Da Vinci has going for it is that alot of people will wait for the secont weekend to avoid the crowds.

 

[Downhere]

Something the Da Vinci has going for it is that alot of people will wait for the secont weekend to avoid the crowds.

True, especially the older crowd. I don't see the older crowd rushing out...that would probably be the younger crowd...50 and under.

 

[myword]

Title: The Da Vinci Code
Directed By: Ron Howard
Written By: Akiva Goldsman (Screenplay), Dan Brown (Novel)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany & Alfred Molina

Reviewed By Sarhan "Tsar" Rashid

I’ve read many complaints from avid readers about the mishandling of their favorite works of literature by Hollywood studios. I always viewed this as a rather silly debate, one which was never based on a valid argument to begin with.

The two mediums are worlds apart. While a story penned on paper has the luxury of length to unfold and intricately weave characterizations and plot elements a cinematic opus suffers at the merciless hands of its running time (i.e. a 500 page novel could never justifiably be translated into a 2 hour movie).

The trend of releasing “Extended Editions”, birthed by Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, has now allowed filmmakers the ability to present a more accurate version of the novel to fans of the source material. And I hope this is a liberty the makers of the big screen adaptation of “The Da Vinci Code” decide to exercise.

There is a chance, albeit a small one in my eyes, viewers unfamiliar with the novel will enjoy it but as someone who has read it I find it hard to conceal my disappointment. To add insult to injury it is directed by the dependable (and Oscar winning as the advertisements never fail to highlight) Ron Howard (“Ransom”, “Cinderella Man”). I guess I should’ve deciphered this when I learnt Akiva Goldsman (“Batman & Robin”, “A Beautiful Mind”) was credited with the screenplay.

From the offset it becomes obvious they have no clue what made this story a fun read as they race to get the mystery going. With quick succession Robert Landgon (Tom Hanks) and Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) manage to solve the puzzles thrown at them. This kills the thrill instantly and the audience never has the chance to get involved in the proceedings. It’s hard to sustain ones interest when our protagonists appear far too intelligent for the challenges thrown at that.

While reading the book it wasn’t hard for me to picture it as a movie. It was fast paced, offered a lot of mysteries to keep one occupied and dabbled in an aspect of religion we’re rarely exposed to. Whether that last bit is fact or fiction is highly debatable but it was interesting nonetheless.
This adaptation takes all these elements, ideal for a cinematic outing, and messes them up. Every filmmaker would offer his or her own take but the vision displayed here is both unimaginative and lost in translation. Some of the creative decisions made here are highly questionable. For instance why focus on the back story of the albino monk Silas (Paul Bettany)? Even in the book his character was rather pointless. He was merely a unique henchman. It’s not like they would focus on Jaw’s back story in a James Bond movie right?

What irks me most though is the filmmakers need to balance the argument between the religious theories offered in the book to those which exist in popular belief. The exchange between Robert Langdon and that of Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) in his residence is cringe worthy. It’s a method of appeasement we’ve often seen Hollywood liberals apply in the past (most recently “V For Vendetta”). It’s a disgusting display really.

Everyone in the cast, excluding a very wooden and uninterested Audrey Tautou, try to bring their characters to life with great conviction even the totally wasted Alfred Molina (“Spiderman II”) and Jean Reno (”The Professional”). Ian McKellen, I feel, will unfairly walk away with a great deal of applause for his role. That’s not to say he doesn’t deliver a fine performance it’s just that he gets the juiciest of parts.

The end product is hardly memorable. An extended cut could fix many of the issues (including a very abrupt bank escape) but the emergence of such a version is highly doubtful. In any case the theatrical version is one I would highly recommend you miss in favor of reading the novel. If you’ve already read the novel then watch the movie. It’ll give you a good idea what NOT to do if ever faced with the task of adapting a popular work of literature for the big screen.

 

[Cinemaman]

As I said again, critics are always wrong.