LOLOLOLOL @ Richard, and you know why I am howling here. You definitely think its a pile of ... eh?

I for one thought that since the book wasnt that great, so why should the film be any better? The reason for my excitement is to see Tom Hanks, from the reviews I have heard of his portrayal of Langdon, but its also not looking good. There is a midnight screening for it tomorrow night and I was very tempted to go, but after the reviews I have read so far, I feel what's the rush, surely it can wait until I finish work on Friday.

But I am not holding my breath, and you just might be right, "perhaps it is a good Hollywood film and nothing more."

Well... was I you, Simone, I would give this movie the benefit of the doubt and watch it. Critics have been very harsh on lots of movies I personally love. Who cares? Tom Hanks is a splendid actor.

Just as Peter says, I'm also not one to hang the hopes of my ticket price on a reviewer.

The thing is, I've never read the book. I've heard a lil' about the Gnostic Gospels and find the whole theory quite interesting but not to the point that I'd wanna read a book about it, and a fiction at that.

Although I did think it could traslate well as a movie. Which is what I feel I'll be watching, as opposed to a number of people maybe watching an adaptation.

It's a pity really, had this been an original work, who knows what would have happened. I think there may be alot more to this than the quality of the movie though. Maybe people are just sick of hearing about this thing.

Gnostic Gospels? I suspect that the majority of the people who have devoured the Da Vinci Code have not even read the New Testament Gospels.

Anyway it's not up to me to say whether the film is any good or not as I have not seen it or read the book. (Though I have a pretty good idea of the ideas it suggests.)

In all honesty though, I kind of hope it's a flop (unlikely) or a critical failure purely as I am sick to death of all the hype surrounding the book/film.

My point entirely!

You're sick to death of it!

Shouldn't people be making movies that people want to see? I just think that too many people are tired of this media frenzy and just don't care. If people wanna hear about the Da Vinci Code, they can just open a newspaper or turn on the TV.

Maybe a couple of years from now this would have been better recieved, but I guess studios wanna strike while the iron's hot.

Peter! Since when were you calm about Da Vinci Code? I thought you hated Dan Brown? Having a change of heart are we? *winks*

Saying that, I dont listen to critics when its a film I truly love say like the Star Wars prequels (YAY!) but with the likes of Da Vinci Code I am half and half about it, I am waiting for Richard's review however, knowing he has read the book. I enjoyed the book because of all the code-cracking business, I didnt really care about the plot because I thought it was just preposterous, and to quote a friend who has also read it, "the premise with which the whole plot hangs upon, and is expounded throughout the book falls apart like a pack of cards" but it was a good read nonetheless.

I will still watch it, it has Tom Hanks for goodness sakes, and then I will write my own review on my blog and then rant again over here.

Dan Browns stories are not going to change the planet and this movie surely won't rock the socks.

but as much as i hate to admit it, dan brown(and the da vinci code and other books)and similar JK Rowling(harry potter till we can't breathe anymore), are encourging non-readers to at least try reading again and the books are converting very quickly into popcorn entertainment.

i think this movie(and a related dan brown series to follow) will be as good as the potter series.

i.e. overhyped annoying shit, but they do have a positive aspect for the masses.

staying well clear unless forced to go.

btw i enjoyed the book as i was in the middle of exams and needed something easy to switch off to.

I read a synopsis/analysis of the book in Fortean Times a few months ago that convinced me I hadn't missed anything through not reading the book. Had no interest in the book, and have less interest in the film, for which, frankly, I can probably wait until it comes to TV. For some reason I'm not surprised that it's getting slammed, although I think reaction against hype is behind much of it.

I agree that reaction against hype is probably coloring the slating.

Hey Pablo, I recommend you also read "Angels and Demons", it's much better written, IMHO.

Oh man, reviews everywhere are very discouraging. But Roger Ebert disagrees. We are impatient to see what is Richard´s view on it!

I know!!!! I'm dying to read his review too, but Richard is seeing it tomorrow and is obviously taking his time! LOL I cant wait to get out of the office to catch the 18:15 screening!

Thanks Peter, Simone. I'll write it up Saturday afternoon and I hope you find it worthy!

I don't think of myself as a "critic" like those guys, I still think I've got enough film fan in me to enjoy movies rather than analyse them to death. So I'm keen to see how I feel about it in comparison

Just came back from watching it, and I will share my comments on Richard's review.

Right, I can sleep now.