Jun 02, 2009 06:28 AM
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Angels and Demons generally stays true to the book and is a fast paced, effective film. Changes made from the book to movie mostly enhance its overall nature. Highlights include some noteworthy cast performances, excellent visuals, and a beautiful score by Hans Zimmer of Gladiator fame.
Note: Minor spoilers may be contained in the review. Those who have not seen the movie are advised not to read further.
My expectations for this movie were fairly low, but higher than the Da Vinci Code. I consider Angels and Demons the superior, and most importantly, more filmable of the two books(when compared to DVC). Therefore I had some pre-concieved expectations as to how particular scenes should play out, and the behaviour of certain characters. Angels and Demons didn't dissapoint.
On the positive side, Angels generally succeeded in keeping me engrossed as to what was happening despite the fact that I was aware of its conclusion. This is thanks to an absence of melodramatic scenes and the frantic tension that is achieved during the movie's pacing. Nonetheless, this does not undermine the power of certain reflective scenes. Carmalengo Patrick McKenna's'Do You Believe In God' question to Robert Langdon is a great example of this.
Both Ayelet Zurer, playing Vittoria Vetra, and Stellan Skarsgard, playing Commander Rocher do full justice to their roles. Zurer nails the determined, fiesty Vetra while Skarsgard as Rocher effectivelly channels Olivetti as portrayed in the book(in the movie he just acts mostly as an eyewitness) in a complete role reversal from his Mamma Mia! antics. The two biggest acting awards should go to Ewan McGregor as Carmalengo McKenna and Armin Mueller Stahl as Cardinal Strauss. Upon reading the book the character that I most emphatised with was the carmalengo and McGregor's subtle, innocent performance was so captivating that I was rooting for him right up to the end. In particular his dialogue delivery and screen presence must be commended. Mueller Stahl exudes nobility and dignity as Strauss(Mortati in the book) and is in many ways McKenna's alter ego. Visually, Angels and Demons is a treat, capturing Rome in all its beauty both during day and night. Musically, Hans Zimmer's score is so beautiful on the big screen that it deserves an Oscar nomination. It's been a long time since I have heard such a haunting and moving score. Ron Howard plays safe in direction, and gets the big moments(the carmalengo's helicpoter ride and the subsequent antimatter explosion, Langdon's underwater attempted rescue of one of the 4 cardinals) spot on.
On the negative side, Robert Langdon is just not as interesting or intriguing as he was in the book. In the book, you really felt that Langdon was a powerful influence on the book's events, both through solving puzzles and playing an active role in locating and destroying the antimatter. Here, Tom Hanks just does not lend that same level of interest and intensity that we expect from Langdon. In fact, Hanks's performance is rather irritating, making Langdon an "I dont care, know it all" academic rather than someone genuinely interested in saving Vatican City. Moreover, the villain's ability to put fear upon the audiences is limited by his weak characterisation, with Howard deciding to steer clear of controversy by explicitly avoiding the Illuminati debate, and his character development is particularly limited. Also, after a while, all the running around to various locations becomes rather tedious, and the chemistry between Hanks and Zurer is at a minimum, particularly during the middle parts of the film.
Overall, Angels and Demons succeeds both in entertaining the viewer, presenting a gripping storyline from beginning to end, and at the same time, aesthetically pleasing him/her through a lovely musical score and excellent visuals. It is worth a watch at least twice on the big screen. Much better than the Da Vinci Code and does more justice to the book too.
PS: Read the book beforehand! I had only gone halfway through my second read of this book when I saw the film and regretted this after subsequent events of the movie played out.
