The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Ron Howard
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DVD details
Actor: Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany, Tom HanksDirector: Ron Howard
Brand: Sony
Producer: Brian Grazer
Producer: Dan Brown
Writer: Dan Brown
Producer: John Calley
Producer: Kathleen McGill
Producer: Louisa Velis
Writer: Akiva Goldsman
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Latin (Original Language); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.40:1
Running Time: 149 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-11-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Reviews of The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
DVD Review: Trust Me - I've Actually Seen This Movie - And Will Review IT - Not My, Or Your, Religious Beliefs.
Summary: 1 Stars
As per usual when a movie comes out that touches a political or religious nerve in this country (whether that is the film's intent or not) this forum automatically turns into a place for everyone who feels strongly to each extreme of the issue - in this case it's 'is the material sacrilegious?' - to play a big game of opinion-hot-potato, and useless point/counter-point with those who think the opposite.
Set aside the fact that here at Amazon we are supposed to be giving our opinions about a products worth and quality; why we liked it or why we didn't, but when it comes to the people who bash or defend controversial movies like this based solely on the stance they think they would take given the propaganda they have been led to believe, almost none of them have even seen the film they are so vehemently defending or decrying.
Such is the case here. Out of 12 or so reviews I count maybe three that represent an actual movie review, not just some idiot from one end of the spectrum shooting off their mouth. This happens all the time. See reviews for "Fahrenheit 9/11," "The Passion...," "United 93," even Bruce Springsteen and Dixie Chicks albums as of late - and that's just the tip of a huge iceberg of examples. I understand people are passionate about their views, and become even more so when they read reviews here that get under their skin and they have to give some back. And neither is right or wrong since we are all entitled to our opinions and to share them. But see or hear the thing before you offer in your two cents. And try to keep an open mind. And critique the item for what it is, not because of some outside controversy it really doesn't deserve. Something like "Fahrenheit 9/11" is what it is and I suppose you know right away where you stand on its message, however, something like "United 93," where people are calling it a cash-in on tragedy, needs to be seen before you decide you indeed believe that is where the film is coming from.
Also, I don't know when people are going to realize that the bigger deal that is made of something, the more you protest it, the more attention you will draw to it.
But I digress. I'm just tired of wading through all these non-reviews of premature, suspected outrage or raves of joy just because the subject matter matches up to ones personal politics or faith. True, most people will say the same things they would have said before seeing such a movie as after, simply because it reinforces their worldview, but try this on for an honest review: As a movie, this thing sucks!
I don't see anything wrong with a fictionalized, "what if" story of this nature (how is the "what if Jesus were married, etc." not an interesting question to ponder, and why is it sacrilege? It's thinking about things had they been different - not saying they were. What if I ponder the idea that pigs could fly, does that insult both pigs and their creator? I was raised Catholic-lite; I didn't, and don't, go to church much, but I do have a certain amount of faith and think religion and faith are important, but to each his own.
I mention all these things, because, before I get into why this movie is so lousy, it is important to me that my review doesn't come off as what I just finished bashing, having readers figure my opinion is because , `oh, he must be a Catholic,' or `oh, he must be an atheist.' I don't know religion. I know movies. I have no business debating the issues that everyone here and in other forums are arguing about when reviewing this movie (my guess is most of them don't either). I do have the right to speak on this film because I have actually seen it (what a concept, huh?).
This film, given the huge hit the book was, the talent involved both in front of and behind the camera, and how anticipated it has been, is simply A MAJOR DISAPOINTMENT. That is the kindest thing that can be said about it. I could really rip it up and down if I wanted to get technical about everything that was wrong with it from a filmmaking standpoint, but I'll give it this, it is polished enough (thanks to a big budget and that talent I was talking about) a less experienced movie-goer might not notice some of the stuff that irritated me so much. What everyone will notice, however, is what a slog it is to get through this clap-trap of over-baked hooey.
The film is either too much or not enough. It will frustrate those who have read the book and those who have not but trust Hank's and Howard's track records, and/or just assume by the trailers they are in for an entertaining and provocative thriller.
This movie stalls in all of those gears. It is deadly boring, bland, and really seams rather anti-climactic (read pointless) given all the fuss over the book, and now all the controversy that has been created about the movie (again, before it has been seen by most). It's hard for me to believe that any of this would really upset anyone who has actually seen it. If you are among the protesters, check this film out, your worst fears will be quickly put to rest. This movie will inspire no Catholic Church upheaval. Your second worst fear, however, that you will be stuck for more than 2 and a half head-propping hours will soon be realized.
Unfortunately, for my part, that is the worst I fear of a movie. I had my doubts going in to this one, but critical and commercial success seamed almost assured so I wanted to be in the loop. I wish I would have waited. The reviews have been overwhelmingly negative and for once audiences will agree with the critics.
"The Da Vinci Code" is doomed to suffer from its hype. But that's not, because it was over-hyped, it's because it doesn't seem as though it is trying to live up to even a fraction of it. It is dull, blandly acted and executed and monotonous. It is part conspiracy thriller, part religious treatise, part psychological melodrama, but it is not satisfying on any of these levels. The dialogue is overblown to the point of comedy and everything except the camera work and cinematography is excruciatingly dull. Yes, even - especially- Hanks. I guess he was going for understated. He comes off as sedated. Might as well, though, that's how the viewer comes away.
If you didn't get it by me calling this movie boring in 50 different ways, the film lacks suspense - the suspense of the novel as well as any other kind. It is far too long, talky and drab. If you are one of those people who is always saying the movie is never as good as the book, you're case just got one film stronger.
Here is a great outtake from Roger Ebert's review: "Both [the book and the movie] contain accusations against the Catholic Church and its order of Opus Dei that would be scandalous if anyone of sound mind could possibly entertain them. I know there are people who believe Brown's fantasies about the Holy Grail, the descendants of Jesus, the Knights Templar, Opus Dei and the true story of Mary Magdalene. This has the advantage of distracting them from the theory that the Pentagon was not hit by an airplane." And he gave the film a positive review (!), calling it "preposterously entertaining." While I find nothing about this snail of a movie very entertaining, it is nice to see a major critic recommend something about which he disagrees. His way of saying what I spent the first half of this review saying: I feel sorry for those of you that can not separate entertainment from your personal politics. It's a movie, people! It's fiction. But it's a bad one, so if your dumb hang-ups keep you away from theatres, than consider yourself lucky that, for once, they worked in your favor.
Description of The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Dan Brown's international bestseller comes alive in the film The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard with a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman. Join symbologist Robert Langdon (Academy AwardŽ Winner Tom Hanks, 1993 Best Actor, Philadelphia, and 1994 Best Actor, Forrest Gump) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) in their heart-racing quest to solve a bizarre murder mystery that will take them from France to England ? and behind the veil of a mysterious ancient society, where they discover a secret protected since the time of Christ. With first-rate performances by Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Jean Reno, critics are calling The Da Vinci Code "involving" and "intriguing," "a first rate thriller."Bestsellers in DVD
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