Angels & Demons from May 18, 2009

Chad and I went to see the movie Angels & Demons this weekend. It was a good movie, but we both walked out disappointed with it. Now, it is a given that 99% of the time the book is better than the movie. There's just not enough time in a movie to include all the details, characters, and minor scenes that help develop the main character and fuel the plot. There are things that they have to change or leave out. But this movie went too far. Chad and I both thought that they made too many unnecessary changes, and a few of the things that they did ended up changing the whole story. For example, Vittoria Vetra's character was one of those that did not get the attention and development that she deserved. The movie kind of leaves you thinking to yourself, "Why is she even here? What is her motivation?" Those details are in the book, but have been completely changed/left out of the movie. Overall, they did a much better job adapting The DaVinci Code. That said, I did enjoy the movie. I can't imagine any other actor playing the character of Robert Langdon, and the filming makes you feel like you are actually right there with him visiting Rome. I wish I had the time and money to go see these places in person.

My recommendation - if you have not read the book then go see the movie first (but don't skip the book altogether!). If you have read the book, then see the movie when it comes out on DVD and try to enjoy it on its own without making any comparisons.