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I was thoroughly disappointed with the Da Vinci Code that I wasn't sure if I wanted to see Angels & Demons. But see it I did and I actually had a good time.
The writers have made a wise move in setting Angels & Demons soon after the events of The Da Vinci Code. Here, Robert Langdon's expertise as a symbologist is needed to solve a series of murders and prevent a terrorist plot on the Vatican City. The changes made from book to screen make for a tighter, faster-paced movie except for Langdon's tendency to over-explain things which makes it drag at times.
I felt the first five minutes of the film could have done with just a touch of exposition because I was bit confused. However, once Langdon reaches Rome and race against the clock begins, I was riveted to the screen.
Rome is marvelous backdrop for the movie - the history and the natural beauty - were all wonderful. There was a sense of majesty in a lot of the shots that I liked.
Performance-wise, Tom Hanks was fine as Robert Langdon - maybe it's the new haircut. Ayelet Zurer as Vittoria Vetra while doing okay, didn't have much to sink her teeth into. But she made a good a foil for Tom Hanks whenever the two shared the screen. Stellan Skarsgård did a good job with the limited role he had while Ewan McGregor was outstanding as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna though at times his accent seemed to slip to his natural Scots.
Angels & Demons is a vast improvement over The Da Vinci Code but still suffers from expository tendencies which drags it down from time to time.
7/10
