Angel & Demons: Review 1

7.0/10

The film opens in an underground laboratory where a secretive project to create anti-matter, which is supposed to simulate the way in which the earth was created according to science. The properties of the anti-matter are apparently quite dangerous, and even the small speck of it that was created could destroy a small city, a city the size of the Vatican. One of the encasings with anti-matter goes missing, followed by the kidnapping of four cardinals, who were the final four chosen to possibly be next in line to be the new Pope. It seems apparent that a group known as the Illuminati have risen from the ashes to claim its revenge against the church for atrocities made against this group hundreds of years ago. This is when the church must turn to Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), who, as seen in “The Da Vinci Code,” uncovered one of the Church’s most sacred secrets.  

      The movie offered a surplus action, suspense, and excitement, but at times the plot began to seem uncomfortably predictable. As professor Langdon’s task, to find the four missing Cardinals before they were to be publicly murdered, drove much of the story’s action. However, Langdon and his helpers seemed to be showing up just minutes too late, and Cardinal after Cardinal was found dead. The film also created feeling of helplessness as at one time or another every single character seemed to be behind the killings and the plot to blow up the Vatican with the anti-matter.  

      Much of the film was focused upon the debate between science and religion. As Professor Langdon’s beliefs, or lack there of, clashed on numerous occasion with the feelings of the church officials, especially Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor), who had been raised by the late Pope. Although there was much argument before the movie was set to come out concerning the fact that many people felt the film would be filled with anti-Catholic sentiments, those arguments can be put to rest. The film did an outstanding job of giving a strong voice to both sides of the science and religion discussion. It seems to give credit to the impressive and necessary advances in science, while still empowering the unwavering traditions of religion and faith. 

      In many ways the film did feel overly similar to “The Da Vinci Code,” which at times made Langdon’s seemingly endless knowledge feel unreasonable. And the unbelievably beautiful setting for the film did not disappoint, as the plot sprints you through tens of beautiful Roman churches that add to the movies mystery and suspense. The movie fills the audience’s mind with different characters to keep track of, which adds to the feeling that anyone, except for Professor Langdon of course, could be the person behind this terrorist attack. 

      Ultimately, the movie solidified itself as a solid summer release, which is definitely worth seeing, however it is not perfect and it requires some suspension of disbelief in order to truly enjoy the movie. But if you are able to accept some of the unrealistic aspects of the film you will be happy you decided to see it.