The Da Vinci Code DVD Review (Tom Hanks) Empire Movies

THE DA VINCI CODE DVD REVIEW

The Da Vinci Code (2-Disc Special Edition)
(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

The Movie

The Extras

Reviewed by

7/10

Brendan

Based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel, The Da Vinci Code was without a doubt the most anticipated movie of the year and perhaps the most disappointing.

In the movie, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is an American scholar who, while in Paris, becomes entangled in a murder-mystery where he is shocked to learn he is the number one suspect. Langdon soon discovers that what he is involved in is a battle between various secret societies and religious sects who are fighting to hide a secret that will rock the foundation of Christianity forever. Langdon enlists the help of Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) and Sir Leigh Teabing (Sir Ian McKellen) to help clear his name and to try to discover where the many clues they are finding will lead them. It is a journey that takes Langdon throughout Paris, to London and to Scotland and a journey they take with the police, some preists, an albino monk and a few other surprises hot in pursuit. In the end, we are told a secret that thousands of people have died to keep. A secret that has been hidden for more than two thousand years. The Da Vinci Code also stars the likes of Jean Reno, Paul Bettany, Alfred Molina and was directed by Ron Howard.

Anyone who has read The Da Vinci Code probably figured it would be a difficult book to translate to the big screen, but with Ron Howard at the helm and Tom Hanks leading the charge, one would think they could at least do the book justice. At times they did. This was my second viewing of The Da Vinci Code and to be quite honest, I didn't find it nearly as boring as the first time I saw it. But where this movie fails is in the emotion department. It severely lacks emotion beginning from the performance of Mr. Hanks and right down the line with every nook and cranny that Langdon, Teabing and the rest of the cast uncover. Perhaps the best performance of the movie comes from Paul Bettany as Silas, the albino monk. Other than that, no one really stands out, no one seems too excited with the mysteries they are uncovering and no one really seems like they are ever in any sort of real danger. In the book, you get that feeling. In the movie, you feel like they are just plodding along and discovering clues in mere minutes, clues that people have not been able to crack for two thousand years. Mr. Howard and the rest of the cast really did not do this book justice. The Da Vinci Code is a superb book but sadly, just an okay movie.

The DVD comes in a two-disc set. The first disc contains only the movie. The second contains the following bonus features:

First Day on the Set with Ron Howard - Just over two minutes, shows us what is supposed to be the first night of filming in The Louvre, with comments from Ron Howard.

A Discussion with Dan Brown - Almost five minutes of an interview with Dan Brown, which I found interesting because I've never even seen the man before in my life. Pretty interesting stuff here. Dan Brown fans will be happy to know another Robert Langdon novel is on the way. Another movie to follow, I am sure.

A Portrait of Langdon - A little more than 7 minutes of Dan Brown, Tom Hanks, a couple of producers and Ron Howard talking about Langdon and how great Tom Hanks is, with dramatic music playing in the background.

Who is Sophie Neveu? - Dan Brown, Audrey Tautou, Ron Howard, the screenplay guy, the casting director and a producer talk about Sophie Neveu. Ron Howard doesn't watch French movies and is attracted to many different actresses who try out for movie roles. Audrey Tautou was perfect for the part - according to these people.

Unusual Suspects - Running almost 18 minutes, this featurette takes a look at many of the minor characters in the movie with comments on both the character and the actor from the likes of Ron Howard, Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany, Alfred Molina and other cast members, production crew and producers.

Magical Places - Fifteen and a half minutes where various cast and crew members discuss the great locations and historical sites where the movie was filmed.

Close-Up on Mona Lisa - Just over six minutes, Dan Brown, Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, Brian Grazer, a set designer, Alfred Molina, Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno talk about the Mona Lisa. I wonder if they were allowed to do all this filming and have all these lights pointed at the real Mona Lisa. I thought I read they were not allowed. Anyways, pretty interesting, and a bit creepy...

Filmmaker's Journey Part One - Cast and crew discuss the movie and the characters in more detail. Ron Howard addresses Tom Hanks' hair, which is a topic of great interest. This featurette runs twenty-four and a half minutes.

Filmmaker's Journey Part Two - Cast and crew talk about Ron Howard and Ron Howard talks about Ron Howard. Runs just over 12 minutes.

The Codes of The Da Vinci Code - Almost five and a half minutes, this one shows us the various hidden codes that are placed throughout the movie and explains what they mean. The best feature on the DVD.

The Music of The Da Vinci Code - Almost three minutes, Howard and the composer briefly discuss the movie's score.

I always feel bad after watching the extras on a DVD and seeing a movie that many people poured their heart and soul into and then saying the movie isn't that good. I really got the feeling that with The Da Vinci Code, everyone put everything they had into making the movie, but unfortunately the movie came out a bit bland, not as exciting as it should have been and not as emotional as it could have been. With that being said, this was my second viewing and I enjoyed it a whole lot better this time, watching it at my own leisure. The bonus features on disc two really weren't that bad either. Some of the behind-the-scenes footage was excellent. I guess what I am saying is that The Da Vinci Code probably deserves a second viewing and if bonus features are your thing, this DVD is worth checking out.

Features
First Day on the Set with Ron Howard
A Conversation with Dan Brown
A Portrait of Langdon
How Tom Hanks Became Robert Langdon
The Codes of The Da Vinci Code
Uncover the Hidden Symbols in the Film

Video
Widescreen (2.40:1)

Audio
English Dolby Digital 5.1
English Dolby Digital Surround
French Dolby Digital Surround
Spanish Dolby Digital Surround

Subtitles
English
French
Spanish
Closed-Captioned

Release Date
November 14, 2006

Rating
PG-13

Length
149 mins.

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