Angels and Demons

Most people in Hollywood state that if there was a contest for the most effective combinations between director and actor – Ron Howard with Tom Hanks would be right up there with the best.  They had 2 movies under their belt before Angels and Demons.  The Da Vinci Code & that classic called Apollo 13.  Both extremely well made.

Dan Brown books are basic fodder for movies.  The story lines are always very interesting with the right mix of history, action and mystery.  And once the ace pair bagged Da Vinci Code, it was only obvious that Angels and Demons would be made by them as well.

 

For those who haven’t read Angels and Demons, I would strongly recommend that you read the book just so that you can get a flavor of how great directors make really good movies despite staying true to previously written matter.  To my knowledge, there are no liberties taken by Ron Howard in the making of both movies.

 

Angels and Demons gets in another fascinating secret society into our lives.  This time it is the Illuminati.  A society that had greats like Galileo as its members.  A society that strongly believed that science and religion were born to co-exist and not to be at logger heads with each other.  Yet, the church found science to be a threat and hunted them down like they did with the pagans.

 

The story begins with the successful harnessing of anti-matter at CERN.  Within minutes, this minute, unstable particle that has the capability of blowing up a few square kms goes missing.  And it surfaces as a threat somewhere in the Vatican where the new pope is about to be elected.  Four of the prefereti (most preferred for the position) are kidnapped and will be killed every hour.  Robert Langdon (Hanks) is called to help.

 

Tom Hanks is as always outstanding.  There is a concerted effort that has been put in to make him look much younger – A&D is the prequel to DVC.  Full marks on that count since Hanks looks at least a decade younger.  I cannot think of anyone who would have made a better Langdon.  Full marks to the casting director as well.

 

The exciting chase over 4 hours has been shown extremely well in around 2.  Ron Howard has painted most of the details in the book through some really good camera work.  The recreation of the illuminati signs of Earth, Air, Fire and Water are superb.  A very good piece of work.  One that book lovers will also enjoy.  7 on 10.

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2084111129/?ref_=tt_ov_vi