Movie: Angels & Demons
Year: 2009
Country of Origin: USA
Language: English (Mostly) German, Italian and Latin (Few Dialogues)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating:
6.7/10 – IMDb 37% – Rotten Tomatoes 48% Metacritic
Angels & Demons Review:
I watched Angels & Demons twice only then I was able to understand it in full to be able to write a review of it. One of the major reasons for me to watch this movie was none other than Mr. Tom Hanks. Off late, I have become a huge admirer of his acting and really appreciate his movies. Now coming to the review of Angels & Demons, the movie is based on Dan Brown‘s novel of the same name. It is the sequel to the 2006 film, The Da Vinci Code, also directed by Ron Howard. The movie starts with the current Pope being dead and the conclave is taking place in Vatican City to choose the new pope. In the meantime the Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) assumes the temporary control of the Vatican.
The Vatican is suddenly under threat from an old enemy “The Illuminati“. The four “preferiti” have been abducted from Vatican City and the Illuminati gives the threat of executing all four of them hour after hour and also blowing up the Vatican City. Keeping in mind the gravity of the situation the Vatican looks to handle this situation and is eventually forced to call for an old critic of the Church, symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) from Harvard University to solve the mystery surrounding the abduction and killing of Father Silvano Bentivoglio (Carmen Argenziano) {Under whose watchful eyes Dr. Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer) was doing research on getting the “Antimatter“}. Now Robert Langdon along with Dr. Vittoria starts his search to track the Illuminati as well as its plan to blow up the Vatican. After that whatever happen is worthy of watching. The plot builds up really well and at every moment you feel glued to the “adventure” of Robert Langdon. The acting in the movie is of top quality and there’s nothing you can complain about this aspect of the movie.
For me other than the acting and storyline one outstanding thing about Angels & Demons was its music/background score. It is just awesome and the credit goes to Hans Zimmer (who for me he is perhaps the best music composer of all time in this world). The music is very engaging and it gives strength to the story line. Now coming to the end of the movie, the end is really very thrilling and exciting. One will not be disappointed at all after watching this movie. I am also not telling the end of this movie here as I want you to figure it out yourself…about who the “Illuminati” was and how did Robert Langdon and Dr. Vittoria figured out this mystery. Overall thumbs up to Ron Howard for making this wonderful movie.
My Favorite Characters of Angels & Demons:
Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon): After so many years in the business, Tom Hanks has become a brand of his own and in this film too he has delivered his best shot again. His acting and expressions are really commendable. If you are a Tom Hanks fan then this is one for you to watch out. Tom has carried his performance where he left in The Da Vinci Code.
Ewan McGregor (Camerlengo Patrick McKenna): Well, Mr McGregor is the dark horse of this movie. He has given a fabulous performance as Patrick McKenna. I can’t think of anyone else in his place after watching this movie. His character is important from the start of the movie but, it is in the last 15 mins that his true face is revealed and here the surprise element comes on for the viewer. I would rate his performance on par with Tom Hanks in this movie and when you are comparing someone with Tom Hanks then they must have done something to be compared.
The other cast including Aylet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Armin Mueller-Stahl have also performed excellently and are great to watch in this mystery thriller.
My Rating of The Movie:
I have rated Angels & Demons 9 out of 10. The reason is obvious a great star cast, wonderful music and an exciting plot. From the start to the last scene I couldn’t divert my attention anywhere, it was such a nice movie. By the way had I missed any scene I wouldn’t be writing a review about it, as it is a very intriguing movie that demands your presence of mind to understand it. May be this is the reason I watched it twice as on first time I was not that attentive.
My Verdict of The Movie:
It is very simple if you have already watched The Da Vinci Code then you must watch this one too, I am sure you will like it. And, if you have not watched The Da Vinci Code then also watch it as you can always watch The Da Vinci Code later on. If you are a Tom Hanks fan or you like mystery thriller movies then Angels & Demons is definitely worthy of your time.
Image Credit: IMDB