ANGELS & DEMONS

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Director: Ron Howard
Category: Drama, suspense
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 2 hr 18 mins

Terri says:

Angels & Demons exceeded expectations in both style and storytelling. Unlike the controversial subject The Da Vinci Code tackled, Angels used existing Vatican monuments similar to National Treasure movies... for grown-ups. Yes, it is really corny to use that comparison, but it's true. What's also great about this adaptation is the audience doesn't feel like they are being spoon-fed information by having the riddles eagerly explained to them. Instead the experience is more educational as the exciting plot unfolds...

In case you haven't heard what the film is about, Harvard professor/symbolist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is requested by the Vatican to help uncover clues as four Roman Catholic cardinals are being help hostage after the Pope passed away. In the meantime, physicist Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer) is on a quest to track down a canister of antimatter strong enough to take out Vatican City and part of Rome. Working together, Langdon and Vetra are guided by police and Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor).

What I'm impressed with most is the acting done by McGregor. Besides being devastatingly handsome, he proves his talent to go past the mainstream status of the movie (unlike the Star Wars prequel films) and more along the lines of Big Fish in terms of getting into character. He is a phenomenal actor and pleased he is getting roles (and recognition) he deserves without selling out. Hanks was better in this film as Langdon rather than Da Vinci Code showing a bit more humor and being more at ease with Brown's protagonist. Zurer played the role well, however, it seems like her role should have been more prominent that it was portrayed much like Audrey Tautou's role in Da Vinci Code. I am not sure this was close to her portrayal in Brown's novel, but it seemed Zurer was thrown in the scenes at times.

Overall, it's an entertaining piece and recommend it to anyone who's interested. Oh yeah and by the way, if you're squeamish to violence, be prepared to keep one hand free every now and again.

VERDICT: 3.5