Date watched: May 15th, 2009
Where? Cathay @ E!hub Downtown East
Movie-buds: Nina and Syahmi

A film adaptation of Dan Brown's novel, I highly recommend you to catch this! This film is simply phenomenal! Set in Rome, but do not let that fool you because not all of the footage is entirely shot in Rome. Surprisingly, after doing a little bit of reading up on the net, I soon found out that many parts of the movie was shot in Los Angeles (LA). What is so incredible is that they had to build the entire Vatican City at Sony Pictures Studios in LA, with the exact details - AMAZING!


STORY LINE
In Rome, the Vatican mourns the passing of the Pope. Until the conclave selects a new Pope, Patrick Mackenna, the Camerlengo (played by Ewan McGregor) assumes day-to-day control of the Vatican. During the process of waiting for the new Pope to be selected unanimously, there was a physical threat by the Illuminati. Illuminati, a 400-year-old underground secret society, kidnapped the four most likely candidates after the conclave goes into seclusion. Demanding fifty million dollars, the Illuminati threatened to destroy the Vatican using the highly explosive anti-matter.

If there is one person that could break the code and understand the movements of the Illuminati, it would be Professor Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks). A professor in Symbology at Harvard University, Prof. Langdon was summoned by the Vatican to help solve the Illuminati threat. Prof. Langdon listened to his instincts, deducing that the four cardinals will die at four different altars of the Path of Illumination. Mr. Gray (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is the assassin who believes to be working for the Illuminati.

Assist by Vittoria Vetra (played by Ayelet Zurer), both sets out to track down the Illuminati, bringing justice before the entire Vatican is wiped off.


The elements present in the film are very strong indeed and I must say it was well portrayed. I simply love the story line and how it unfolds itself. Most of the time during the film, I kept going "Oh shit". Not because I was in the mood to say that but because the film captured and engaged me, having full grasp of my emotions.

Throughout the movie, you would feel that something is going to happen, but turns out to be just a false assumption. That explains the repetitive "Oh shit" phrase. Haha! Of course there are many scenes in the movie, but particularly when the last cardinal that was set to be killed by the Illuminati. It was so intense to see Prof. Langdon struggling to save the cardinal's life. You wished you could have helped but being thrown back into reality, it is just impossible but to watch helplessly.

The ending of the film was what kept me in awe even after it has ended. The bad guy turns out to be a different guy and seriously, you will not see it coming.

There were quite a number of flaws in the film but trust me, if you watch it loosely and not pay too much attention to the minute details, it would be spotless! Rest assured, I did not at all noticed till someone pointed it out to me.

Similar to the previous movie (The Da Vinci Code) prior to this sequel, it has stirred many controversies. This film deals with issues pertaining to Christianity; particularly the Catholics. I am open towards subject pertaining to religion as long as it does not get through me in a negative way. I believe it is best if you would watch it with an open mind. I did receive comments like "How would you feel if it was your religion being exploited and portrayed negatively?". I fully understand but even if it was relating to my own religion, I am fine with it. Like I have said, as long as I do not let it get through me.

To conclude this review, I am classifying this movie as the BEST MOVIE ever! Out of 5 stars, I would give it a solid 6! Being the best movie, I guess the rating does not matter huh? Hahaha! I strongly urge you to catch this movie while it is still in the cinemas. If it is no longer showing, search it online or anticipate the DVD. IT IS A MUST-WATCH!

It was rated #1 film in Singapore's box office last week and I am not at all surprised.
Awesome movie!