Angels & Demons (2009)

When the sudden death of the Pope is followed with threat of more deaths from the once thought extinct sect known as the Illuminati, the Vatican summons Dr. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) to help locate the missing Cardinals on the eve of Conclave. Racing against time, Langdon and CERN scientist Vittoria Vetra must discover the Path of Illumination to uncover the conspiracy before the Illuminati show the world that science has triumphed over religion.

The follow-up to 2006's polarizing, yet average thriller The DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons is more of the same. Director Ron Howard with the help of writers Akiva Goldsmen (A Beautiful Mind, I am Legend) and David Koepp (Ghost Town, Jurassic Park) has taken Dan Brown's book and woven a far-fetched conspiracy that is blatantly obvious and uninspired. Still, view the film as a summer distraction and Angels & Demons will entertain.

Tom Hanks fits the role of symbolist Dr. Robert Langdon perfectly. Not too interesting, but smart. Hanks wears most of his role on his face--with a continually furrowed brow. Nicely accented Ewan McGregor as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna is an solid choice. His role, though obvious, is an asset. Dr. Langdon's unnecessary assistant, this time played by Ayelet Zurer, quickly becomes a vehicle for nothing.

Director Howard does keep the film well-paced, if not fully reasonable. He is masterful at keeping the viewer informed through Dr. Langdon's ability to explain, in length, a myriad of fallacies, legends, and truths while racing at a break neck speed.

It's the opulent settings of Vatican City and Rome that are most fascinating--trust me, you know how the story ends.. From the opening sequence, the visual are stunning. Howard's command of each frame is beautiful. In turn the architecture and history of the locale is rendered gorgeous. Also of note, the elegant score by Hans Zimmer--easily the film's highlight.

In the midst of the conspiracy, our dialogue drifts to the examination of faith and science. Can they coexist? By their very nature, faith and science are essentially oil and water. Howard's subtle shift in the story is flawless; he maintains a neutrality that is commendable. Instead, he allows Dr. Langdon's interactions between the Camerlengo (His Holiness' right hand, essentially) and Cardinal Strauss (exceptional Armin Mueller-Stahl: see Eastern Promises) to be our examiners. Howard not only dares to provoke, but also provide more character development than the entire Da Vinci Code.

As I see it, Angels & Demons is an entertaining, harmless summer movie, but one that is highly rentable. Save your dollars for the must-see!

Postscript 12.22.09 ~ I rented it.  I am disappointed in the obviousness of the entire thing.  There are great characters here, but Howard build on them enough to create the believable myth herein.  It entertains only if you check you brain at the door.