The first reviews of The Da Vinci Code movie are in from Cannes, and first impressions aren't too good (though should we trust snobbish critics on a press junket in Cannes?):
- CNN says critics pan Da Vinci Code.
- News24 says critics slate Da Vinci Code.
- Reuters says Da Vinci Code "an unwieldy, bloated puzzle".
- Hooray! Fox says it's a good movie.
- And the BBC's roving reporter wonders whether to trust the snobbish critics.
I'll have my own verdict in 24 hours or so, as I'm heading off to see it tomorrow night.
I've seen it...
Well Greg, I am interested in what you think about this one. I saw it last night and I liked it. I was not bowled over, but it was a good enough movie for my $10. That being said, as much as I enjoyed DVC, it is not a great work of literature, just a good example of intelligent pop fiction I suppose and the movie holds up about the same. As I had read DVC again last week, certain parts of the movie that were different bothered me, but they always do when watching a movie version of a book I enjoyed. The ending, and the Sophie Neveau part at the end bothered me, the way that was changed, because I was looking forward to that part for her. As for the controversy, where the book was careful to make sure that members of Opus Dei, the Vatican etc. were not all tarred with the same brush, I felt the movie tried too hard to separate itself from controversy. At times I felt like Langdon (and Teabing at one point) were spoon feeding counter points to every argument to Sophie as well as the audience and that, to me, seemed a little foolish, condescending and insulting to the viewer. All in all though, I liked it and am happy I saw it, I was entertained. I would like to see it again though and watch it for what it is, instead of wondering how they would offend people (or not) and how they would handle the controversial aspect.