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Angels & Demons

Reviewed by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 5/15/2009 10:12AM

It may have been boring and heretical, but the film version of The Da Vinci Code was also one of the biggest international hits of all time when it came out three years ago—bigger than The Passion ...

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Wraith

Posted: June 25, 2009 8:25 PM


I found this movie only mildly entertaining. Ultimately, I saw it like one of those rail shooters in video games that used to be popular before 3d came into its own in video games. You are driven along an inexorable path that is while a bit twisty it essentially does not leave room for creativity and often satisfys plot issues with ridiculous, unlikely solutions...alll. the...way... to the end.

GK	Posted: June 20, 2009 4:28 AM


Hanks is a devout member of the Greek Orthiodox church so its not like this was an unbeliever as the star role. But a member of the second oldest sector of Christianity (after the Ethiopian Orthodox Church)

Henry

Posted: June 05, 2009 8:32 PM

I am puzzled by the reaction of some Catholic commentators to this film. It is nowhere near as foolish as Da Vinci Code and in some parts does try to maintain some sort of balance. I haven't made my mind up about the solution of wisdom over vitality that the Cardinal and the Camerlengo represent. While I admire some of the heritage that the Catholic Church retains, others are due for an examination. The wisdom is to know what. Just as long as you remember that Angels and Demons is National Treasure on an intellectual budget, you'll do fine.

Kim	Posted: June 01, 2009 4:04 PM


I put off seeing this movie because of your lukewarm review. I saw it this past weekend with my movie discussion group. I thought it was a thrilling ride, and was totally surprised by the plot twist. I know there are inaccuracies, but it is still a great fictional movie.

Pat	Posted: May 31, 2009 5:10 PM


Hey John, Did you take your 15 & 16 year olds to National Treasures and JFK for other "true" historical perspectives?

Mr. Binky

Posted: May 30, 2009 10:30 PM


Wow, it's astounding what ignorant and joyless people fundie morons are. I pity children raised by such evil, small-minded people.

Sara	Posted: May 29, 2009 11:08 AM


The book Angels and Demons is EXCELLENT! Enjoyed the movie too although it didn't compare to book. All the dramatic talk about how they present theology...who really cares? It's a movie! Not a documentary. Take it for what it is - quite an enjoyable, suspenseful film. I didn't go to it for a theology lesson...and anyone who does probably has a few problems

JSCOTT

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:04 AM

IF THE SECOND MOVIE IS EVEN HALF AS ENTERTAINING AS THE FIRST, I'M GOING TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I AGREE WITH "JOHN" WHO POSTED ON MAY 18TH. A CHRISTIAN GROUNDED AND FIRM IN HIS BELIEFS WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM DIFFERENTIATING FACT AND FICTION BETWEEN GOD'S CHURCH AND BROWN'S PORTRAYAL OF IT. AS CHRISTIANS, THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS PROVIDE THE SERVICE OF LISTENING, BOTH TO THE QUESTIONS OF NEW BELIEVERS AND NON. IF I DON'T GO AND SEE IT, THE LEAST THAT I CAN DO IS BE OPEN TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LIVING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH, AND SPEAK LOUDLY! GOD BLESS

William Meisheid

Posted: May 25, 2009 9:55 PM


I was surprised at how sympathetic the movie was to the modern Catholic Church and to religion and faith in general. The average secular person who will get none of the inconsistencies you pointed out, and amazingly the movie ends almost with evangelic fervor - God was in control the whole time...

Anatoly

Posted: May 23, 2009 6:50 AM


Great stuff. It was a mystery to me how an author of booring Da Vince Code could write such a thriller and with such deep meaning. The collaboration of science and faith. Thoughts about famous Nitzche's "The aim justifies all means". Respect to the church. What else do you need?

Chaplan Mary Murphy

Posted: May 20, 2009 6:11 PM


What a providential John l4:12 "Greater works will you do than I (TRUTH TELLING) for I go to My Father" experience; i.e, to bring forth the needed collective DEMONS OF WAR - pray Billy and Franklin Graham see this and identify how the global world waits for such Biblical reality from them The War Widows Veteransjustice@aol.com

John Bartleson Jr Th.D

Posted: May 19, 2009 3:43 AM


I found Dan Browns hatred for the catholic church stupid, therefore his premise was ignorantly inconsistant with reality. The Da vinci code was a novel remake of the body and the blood. both assuming facts not in evidence.

John	Posted: May 18, 2009 2:25 PM

I think it was a great movie. I don't really see how real Christians can see it as an attack on Christianity. It is an attack on the abominable Mary Worshipping Papist Church. It exposes the Church for what they really are, not Christian. I am all for anything that exposes false Christianity for what it really is. This movie is a good piece of entertainment, however I wouldn't recommend bringing young children to see it. My 15 and 16 year old children understood it just fine and I did not object to them watching it.

donkey

Posted: May 17, 2009 6:30 PM


Are you sure this was bigger ("international hit") than the movies he's mentioned?

Narnia_fan12

Posted: May 17, 2009 6:23 PM


this movie is just like the da vinci code. make believe mixed with real, making people believe that what their telling might be true, when it's not.. don't watch.

Virginia

Posted: May 17, 2009 8:22 AM

I thought the movie was great! The setting in Rome and the Vatican was gorgeous and made me want to book a flight tomorrow. I am intrigued by the mysteries hidden in the Vatican archives too and enjoyed seeing Robert Langdon inside. The action was exciting, but I found the violence very, very disturbing. It was so gruesome and visceral and really bothered me. That was my only complaint, but I suppose it was important to the story. I thought the film was much less divisive and more forgiving of the Church than The DaVinci Code. I was glad that the movie left out the flirtation between Robert Langdon and Vittoria the scientist, which was in the book. I enjoyed seeing an intelligent, articulate, beautiful woman on screen who was not the object of anyone's affection.

Josephine

Posted: May 17, 2009 5:21 AM


I haven't seen the movie, but i adored the book! Dan Brown captures the reader and makes it nearly impossible to stop reading! I also believe he is very good speaking for both "christianity's side" as well as "sience's side". I also agree with 'david'; if you really think A MOVIE will destroy yours and others faith.. well.. then I can only assume you are not too deep in it.

Anonymous

Posted: May 17, 2009 4:03 AM


First time on this site - I'm shocked that every advert / pop-up/link etc is about parting you from your cash. And don't tell me the old chestnut that "the water is free, it's the plumbing that costs..." - it's just a slick commercial operation. Have Christians lost the power of discrimination?

Kyle	Posted: May 16, 2009 11:45 PM

The movie did what it was created to do. It entertained. Did it have positive or negative connotations towards the Church? both. I found it to be actually more pro-Christian than I had expected. This "David" guy needs to calm down and take a moment to reflect. He is a little to quick to categorize the world into "naive" Christians and "those of the world" as the only two camps that exist. In his world, all Christians are the same, obviously bigoted and stupid, and all non-Christians (probably just Atheists) are obviously enlightened. I'd like to point out that the world does not break down that way, and that even in our own Unity, Christians are no less flawed (nor stupid) than the Atheist, but then again we are no more bigoted or naive than the atheists of this world. I hope that you realize that someday, but I doubt it seriously. Why, other than to simply trash the "naivety" that is Christianity did you even come to this site and post?

Christ is love

Posted: May 16, 2009 10:23 AM


You walk a fine line when you have a movie with religious themes and portray it out of the lines of the Bible (Gods word).

Eugene

Posted: May 16, 2009 6:04 AM

I find the movie very entertaining. The L'Osservatore Romano even described the film as entertaining at some point. Although I do not think Dan Brown as a master of language and literary style, I still think he is a good storyteller not only because he takes on a controversial theme and spins it around, we Christians should see it as an opportunity for insightful discussion about questions on the role of fiction in representing actual dimensions of faith and life. Fiction will always have to be an assumed category for those who approach the film and feel offense at the depictions shown there. We Christians will have to be more patient and understanding of those who do not see the same vision as we do. Eugene, Philippines.

Chicken Hollywood

Posted: May 16, 2009 3:16 AM

Hollywood hold some infamous reputations as anti-Catholic, and anti-religions, in general. Ironically, they are also proven of having no guts to potray Islam, in the similar way to what they are doing to other religions. For example, Hollywood have no guts to bring Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" into the wide screen. The reason of such discrimination is simple and crystal clear. Nobody-but-nobody in Hollywood, include this "genius" Ron Howard want to be beheaded or blown away by Muslim fanatics for blasphemy accusation.

Toni	Posted: May 15, 2009 10:14 PM


I'm a big fan of Dan Brown's book in general. NOT because I agree with it all but because he is a great writer and story-teller. I loved this movie. I also thought it did a pretty good job staying with the book. Great movie!

Johnny

Posted: May 15, 2009 8:48 PM

"Angels and Demons" is just so theologically inaccurate. But, what should we expect from an anti-christian hollywood. It's harmless unless someone takes this nonsense seriously. Unfortunately, some people will do just that and use it to bash not only Catholics but all Christians. Hollywood is just anti-religion, let's face it. However for every "Angels and Demons," Hollywood will provide a "Juno" or "The Departed" or Gran-Torino or "Schindler's List," or "The Reader.". So, I'm not going to get that upset about it.

david

Posted: May 15, 2009 7:05 PM

I just wonder why so many naive christians give so much weight to the influence of books and films seen as "heretical" and other such serious words. It is a book of fiction. Whatever the subject of any book of fiction it is made up. It worries me that so many christians view such a book of fiction to be such a serious threat to their faith. They clearly have both a weak faith and a patronizing attitute to "non-believers", who they assme will not know it is fiction. "They protesteth too much" may lead to the suspicion of "no smoke without fire". It may surprise some naive christians that the "unbelievers" don't give a fig either way - so why should christians get so hot under that collar. Unless thay have not noticed, there are more important issues in the world. It is not surprising that "those of the world" see the christian church made upas , at best irrelevant, weird people and at worst propogating opperssive attitudes towards gays and women.

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