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What is it about a scientist who looks incredibly stunning on the movie screen? I’m referring to Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer.
She plays the Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra opposite Tom Hanks’ character, Harvard professor/world-renown symbologist Robert Langdon, in director Ron Howard’s “Angels & Demons.” It should be noted that this is Howard’s first sequel based on the successful novel by Dan Brown, who co-produced the film. Brown wrote this as a prequel to “The Da Vinci Code.”
As much as I enjoyed the first movie, this version worked well as a sequel, giving clues as to what happened in Professor Langdon’s quest for the truth involving the story behind Jesus Christ. It obviously would be in your best interest to rent “The Da Vinci Code” if you haven’t seen it before seeing this.
When it comes to the endless controversy that pits science against religion, some minds cannot be swayed. Even with indisputable proof on a particular topic, you can easily run up against a brick wall.
The Catholic Church is presented here with a mystery that needs help from Langdon, who discovers a centuries-old incident involving the Catholic Church and a group of scientists. Now on the verge of the Vatican selecting a new pope, an ancient organization known as the Illuminati tend to seek out revenge against the Catholic Church. That’s where Langdon steps in.
He finds out that four cardinals who are most likely to be the pope’s replacement have been kidnapped. On top of that, a canister of antimatter (known as the “God particle” which was isolated by Vittoria) is missing that could spell disaster to anyone who possesses the stuff. Is there more? Well, the answers lie within the Path of Illumination, which makes this movie both a drama and adventure film. Along the way, we get a lesson in Catholicism and its history.
At first I thought there might be some who would be upset with parts of this movie, but it’s tame when compared to the first one. This one is more, how do I say it, Catholic-friendly? After that priest (Rev. Alberto Cutié) in Miami admitted to having a two-year relationship with an attractive brunette, I think this movie won’t raise too many eyebrows. Plus it has a PG-13 rating (as did “The Da Vinci Code”), and even though it gets a little violent at times, the movie tends to reward those who believe in faith. In the end, the Vatican comes off as more accessible. It’s a trade off.
Credit Ron Howard and screenwriters David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman for giving the story a little kick. It isn’t as bogged down as some of the first movie. Fans of Brown’s novel might be upset, but it’s worth the changes, given that the content in the book was pretty extensive. Some of the changes were good, including the casting of Ewan McGregor as the young Camerlengo Patric. And having Ron’s dad, actor Rance Howard, as one of the cardinals was a cool touch. And Ron’s wife, Cheryl, pops up as one of the scientists.
There is talk already about another sequel, which makes sense when you see the conclusion. Stay tuned.
“Angels & Demons” is Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material and clocks in at 138 minutes.
She plays the Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra opposite Tom Hanks’ character, Harvard professor/world-renown symbologist Robert Langdon, in director Ron Howard’s “Angels & Demons.” It should be noted that this is Howard’s first sequel based on the successful novel by Dan Brown, who co-produced the film. Brown wrote this as a prequel to “The Da Vinci Code.”
As much as I enjoyed the first movie, this version worked well as a sequel, giving clues as to what happened in Professor Langdon’s quest for the truth involving the story behind Jesus Christ. It obviously would be in your best interest to rent “The Da Vinci Code” if you haven’t seen it before seeing this.
When it comes to the endless controversy that pits science against religion, some minds cannot be swayed. Even with indisputable proof on a particular topic, you can easily run up against a brick wall.
The Catholic Church is presented here with a mystery that needs help from Langdon, who discovers a centuries-old incident involving the Catholic Church and a group of scientists. Now on the verge of the Vatican selecting a new pope, an ancient organization known as the Illuminati tend to seek out revenge against the Catholic Church. That’s where Langdon steps in.
He finds out that four cardinals who are most likely to be the pope’s replacement have been kidnapped. On top of that, a canister of antimatter (known as the “God particle” which was isolated by Vittoria) is missing that could spell disaster to anyone who possesses the stuff. Is there more? Well, the answers lie within the Path of Illumination, which makes this movie both a drama and adventure film. Along the way, we get a lesson in Catholicism and its history.
At first I thought there might be some who would be upset with parts of this movie, but it’s tame when compared to the first one. This one is more, how do I say it, Catholic-friendly? After that priest (Rev. Alberto Cutié) in Miami admitted to having a two-year relationship with an attractive brunette, I think this movie won’t raise too many eyebrows. Plus it has a PG-13 rating (as did “The Da Vinci Code”), and even though it gets a little violent at times, the movie tends to reward those who believe in faith. In the end, the Vatican comes off as more accessible. It’s a trade off.
Credit Ron Howard and screenwriters David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman for giving the story a little kick. It isn’t as bogged down as some of the first movie. Fans of Brown’s novel might be upset, but it’s worth the changes, given that the content in the book was pretty extensive. Some of the changes were good, including the casting of Ewan McGregor as the young Camerlengo Patric. And having Ron’s dad, actor Rance Howard, as one of the cardinals was a cool touch. And Ron’s wife, Cheryl, pops up as one of the scientists.
There is talk already about another sequel, which makes sense when you see the conclusion. Stay tuned.
“Angels & Demons” is Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material and clocks in at 138 minutes.
