Fast paced, intriguing and captivating. 'Angels and Demons' has all the ingredients of a top notch thriller that delivers. Whether you have read the book or not, this is a story on screen that is well told.
The film follows Professor Robert Langdon on yet another trip to the Vatican where he is to investigate the ill-timed kidnapping of the preferiti i.e. four cardinals who are at the top of the reckoning to be the next Pope.
He is provided hints that lead the investigative team to a group called the Illuminati, a 400 year old secret sect that has worked against the church. He is helped by a scientist Vittoria Vetra, from the CERN research facility who is also looking for a vial of anti-matter that is meantto explain the origin of the universe. This was taken from the research facility by murdering Father Silvano whom she worked closely with. The kidnappers have the potentially explosive anti-matter hidden with the captives.
While the group of cardinals waits on the result of the investigation, the additional dimension to the plot is provided by the camerlengo, Patrick McKenna who is the interim in charge of the Papal office until the new Pope is elected. Would Langdon and Vetra find the cardinals and the anti-matter is what we try to find out through the film.
Credit must go to director Ron Howard for telling a gripping tale that had the audience so involved that at times there was applause in the auditorium every time a clue was cracked. The pace is racy and the build-up superb. Where the film is weak is when it has attempted to venture into areas like science vs. religion where mere lip-service has been paid. There is also questionable characterization exhibited when you realize that the scientist Vetra is an expert pure sciences, medicine, Latin and Catholic history. I suppose such people do exist. But, it did seem overdone.
Tom Hanks revels in a role which does not provide him enough material to showcase his immense abilities. But, this is a different genre, where it is important to combine seriousness with wit, thinking on ones feet with strength and he pulls it off effortlessly. The actor whose performance stays with you however is Ewan McGregor, who plays the camerlengo. He combines devotion with ruthlessness and a subdued menace that threatens to take over the Catholic world.
'Angels & Demons' is a must watch for anyone who wants to have a value for money experience in a cinema hall. Don't miss it.
While the group of cardinals waits on the result of the investigation, the additional dimension to the plot is provided by the camerlengo, Patrick McKenna who is the interim in charge of the Papal office until the new Pope is elected. Would Langdon and Vetra find the cardinals and the anti-matter is what we try to find out through the film.
Credit must go to director Ron Howard for telling a gripping tale that had the audience so involved that at times there was applause in the auditorium every time a clue was cracked. The pace is racy and the build-up superb. Where the film is weak is when it has attempted to venture into areas like science vs. religion where mere lip-service has been paid. There is also questionable characterization exhibited when you realize that the scientist Vetra is an expert pure sciences, medicine, Latin and Catholic history. I suppose such people do exist. But, it did seem overdone.
Tom Hanks revels in a role which does not provide him enough material to showcase his immense abilities. But, this is a different genre, where it is important to combine seriousness with wit, thinking on ones feet with strength and he pulls it off effortlessly. The actor whose performance stays with you however is Ewan McGregor, who plays the camerlengo. He combines devotion with ruthlessness and a subdued menace that threatens to take over the Catholic world.
'Angels & Demons' is a must watch for anyone who wants to have a value for money experience in a cinema hall. Don't miss it.