Angels & Demons - Review Thread

[WriteSimply]

As always, be proficient with your spoiler tags. PLEASE do not let this thread be infused by religious discussion as this is about the movie and not the "side topic".

It has a nice balance of action and dialogue. The mystery itself is exciting and thrilling. The film feels smooth and fast in its unfolding. Ron Howard impresses with his artistic and technical choices. Rome and the Vatican both real and CGI look very good (the epic and impossible camera moves gives it away).

There's a whole lot of exposition that flies in front of your face that you almost can't keep up. This is why Tom Hanks is a great actor for this role. He makes it FLY. The rest of the cast is impressive too, including Favino, Skarsgård, Zurer, Lindhardt, McGregor and Mueller-Stahl.

Kudos to the art design, set design, costume and prop department. It makes the entire thing very believable. Sound design is pretty impressive too. The score is great with a lot of choral arrangement to heighten the tension and mood.

You get to see a visualization of how the Super Large Hadron Collider works. Pretty cool.

Running time: Approximately 2:24.

--- It was supposed to be a digital presentation. But once it started, I started noticing flecks and scratches. When the subtitles came on (Malaysia has mandatory subs but audio is always original) I knew that it was not a digital presentation. Then it came time for a reel change and they switched to the digital presentation. Basically the local distributor - Sony Pictures - want to impress us with the digital version as this is the first time a 2D digital presentation is made here. Hence the APPROXIMATE running time because the switch was not seamless.

So eventually I did get to see the digital presentation. Vast difference in color (this is due film stock versus non-fade data), focus and sharpness (film wavers as it enters the gate vs the static 2K DLP chip), and LOSSLESS SOUND. If you want to know how your BD looks like using a HD projector, watch the digital presentation if you can.


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[Brandon]

All I wanna know is if it is better than The DaVinci Code, which sucked.

[WriteSimply]

I didn't think The Da Vinci Code sucked, but the people that I talked to afterwards seem to like it better than the first movie.


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[Blu-Benny]

does it stick pretty close to the book??? are there any major plot points cut from the book??? i plan on going this weekend but wanted to know if i would be disappointed w/something major missing.

[Mr.White]

I've supposed to get a free ticket to see it(comes w/ Da Vinci Code Ext. edition),but have to wait to get it VIA snail mail to get ithe damn thing,havent even sent out for it yet,they should have had a code like they always do for movie cash! Isnt it easier to print a certificate on the computer,or are they worried about fraud?

[mikejet]

If it follows the book, this will be very good. I never understood why Da Vinci Code was more popular than Angels when Angels is by far the superior book. Probably because of the controversy that Da Vinci had in it.

[cajmoyper]

I've found the DaVinci coe to be one of the most ridiculous stories ever told but one of the most entertaining movies of that year...weak year. I don't go to the movies for total realism, I go suspending my disbelief. But in all honesty, this one looks boring and I already hate it for taking away moviegoers from ST.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I've found the DaVinci coe to be one of the most ridiculous stories ever told but one of the most entertaining movies of that year...weak year. I don't go to the movies for total realism, I go suspending my disbelief. But in all honesty, this one looks boring and I already hate it for taking away moviegoers from ST.

that's what makes movies entertaining....totally agree w/u.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by mikejet

If it follows the book, this will be very good. I never understood why Da Vinci Code was more popular than Angels when Angels is by far the superior book. Probably because of the controversy that Da Vinci had in it.

I loved A&D. I want Deception Point to be made into a movie...that was my favorite Dan Brown book.

Wheres Sussudio? Havent see him for a couple days.

[milner828]

Been looking forward to A&D more than ST.....ST will do just fine in the box for weeks to come. Whether it will be number one next weekend who knows!?!?!

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by BrandonT

All I wanna know is if it is better than The DaVinci Code, which sucked.

same here.. my friend wants me to go with him but we both thought the first movie sucked ass, plus Tom Hanks was a horrible choice for the main character. Then again the book of DaVince code was just ok at best. I haven't read A & D but have been told it is a much better book so I'm bit optimistic.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Monkey

same here.. my friend wants me to go with him but we both thought the first movie sucked ass, plus Tom Hanks was a horrible choice for the main character. Then again the book of DaVince code was just ok at best. I haven't read A & D but have been told it is a much better book so I'm bit optimistic.

The book was heartpounding....like an episode of 24. Fingers crossed for a good movie.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The book was heartpounding....like an episode of 24. Fingers crossed for a good movie.

Cool, well the trailers definitely look a lot better than the first Does Tom Hanks still have ridiculously bad hair, lol

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by mikejet

If it follows the book, this will be very good. I never understood why Da Vinci Code was more popular than Angels when Angels is by far the superior book. Probably because of the controversy that Da Vinci had in it.

Yeah, I think the controversy/hype that surrounded The DaVinci Code had a lot to do with its popularity. But, it was also a really great book. I read that before I read Angels and Demons, and while I definitely agree that Angels and Demons had a better story, it was written before DaVinci and the writing almost seemed like a "warm-up" for DaVinci. DaVinci was more well-written, taut, to-the-point. BUT I also think A&D was way better overall.

[andyman1970]

Wonder if I should wait for the BD release in hopes of an extended version?

[SumSuperman]

Originally Posted by BrandonT

Yeah, I think the controversy/hype that surrounded The DaVinci Code had a lot to do with its popularity. But, it was also a really great book. I read that before I read Angels and Demons, and while I definitely agree that Angels and Demons had a better story, it was written before DaVinci and the writing almost seemed like a "warm-up" for DaVinci. DaVinci was more well-written, taut, to-the-point. BUT I also think A&D was way better overall.

I, too, thought Angels and Demons was a better book. I was underwhelmed by the DaVinci code movie, so I am hoping this one is much better.

[GreenScar]

Will go see this, but I don't think it will be opening weekend.