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The DaVinci Yawn
20/5/06 18:32I never read the book, but I've generally liked Ron Howard's movies, so went to see the Code movie this afternoon. My first comment, on leaving the theatre, was: that was a dreary movie. And I'm not sure why, exactly. Stuff happens. Lots and lots of stuff happens. And Ian McKellan (on whom I have a 25-year-old crush going strong, and I don't care what team he plays for) is having a good time. Ditto Paul Bettany, who is all tortured and albino and vaguely austistic in his social skills. Tom Hanks looks earnest (and they give him claustrophobia, apparently in an attempt to humanize his character). Audrey Tautou is also earnest. So is Jean Reno. Alfred Molina, who has had his Doc Oc arms surgically removed, is the a Narsty Bishop. There's lots of history, much of it nicely handled, visually. And yet...it seemed to go on forever. Maybe if I didn't know the secret of the code I would have been absorbed. But I sussed out much of the other stuff (I will not reveal what that stuff is, on accounta I am an honorable woman and don't want to spoil things for other people, honest) anywhere from two minutes to fifteen minutes before the revelations. It is not, shall we say, a work of singular depth.
Actually, the movie this should have been like was the fluffy bunny American history movie National Treasure, which was every bit as "as you know, Bob," about the history, and full of hair-raising chases and people dedicated to hiding secrets and stuff, but moved. It was fun. Da Vinci Code isn't fun. Maybe it's the subject matter (can we joke about Jesus?) or maybe they're afraid to get funny because it might lower the stakes. But what you're left with is a lot of people running around, a number of people dying, and any number of cars crashing, and nothing much to hang your hat on.
Also, today, we made our first foray to the SPCA to check out the available dogs. YG, who is very high on the idea of a dog, wanted to get the first one we visited, but Tommy didn't like men (of which Spouse is certainly one) and we had a talk about not getting the first dog we talk to, since this is going to be a family pet. Still, the hunt is on.
Actually, the movie this should have been like was the fluffy bunny American history movie National Treasure, which was every bit as "as you know, Bob," about the history, and full of hair-raising chases and people dedicated to hiding secrets and stuff, but moved. It was fun. Da Vinci Code isn't fun. Maybe it's the subject matter (can we joke about Jesus?) or maybe they're afraid to get funny because it might lower the stakes. But what you're left with is a lot of people running around, a number of people dying, and any number of cars crashing, and nothing much to hang your hat on.
Also, today, we made our first foray to the SPCA to check out the available dogs. YG, who is very high on the idea of a dog, wanted to get the first one we visited, but Tommy didn't like men (of which Spouse is certainly one) and we had a talk about not getting the first dog we talk to, since this is going to be a family pet. Still, the hunt is on.