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Angels & Demons (2009)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

52 reviews

Synopsis

Tom Hanks returns in this follow-up to The Da Vinci Code. Symbolist Robert Langdon deciphers his way into the shadowy underworld of the Illuminati and discovers an unholy plot to murder four cardinals using antimatter.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Faith is the guiding principle behind Ron Howard’s second adaptation of a Dan Brown bestseller. Faith that this will match the $750 million worldwide gross of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and they’ll all be in for lots of lovely Mammon. On this occasion, crisis hits the Vatican after the death of the Pope and the election of a new leader for the world’s billion Catholics. Four cardinals have been kidnapped, and worse still, a stashed-away vial of ultra-combustible anti-matter (stolen from the CERN labs in Switzerland) threatens to blow half of Rome to kingdom come. Enter Tom Hanks’s exposition-spouting symbologist to explain the historical basis and present implications of this attack from the self-styled ‘Illuminati’– men of Renaissance learning who went underground centuries ago after the Vatican moved against them, and are using modern technology to hit back.

The conflict between religion and science gestures towards thematic substance, but the film, unsurprisingly, takes a conciliatory line to give both sides of the argument their due. With only hours before the Vatican goes ka-boom! the story is pacy enough, despite the cast – Ewan McGregor’s peachy papal insider, grumpy Vatican security chief Stellan Skarsgård – needing to explain the plot every five minutes, while a miscast Hanks traces a string of conveniently planted clues and the clock ticks away. The re-creation of St Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel on the Hollywood backlot is a production achievement, yet the movie’s about as exciting as looking over someone’s shoulder while they finish a crossword.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 2021 May 14-20, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Dorothy said...

Posted on Apr 25 2010 16:04 The film(which I had looked forward to since reading the EXCELLENT book) changed the story FAR too much, even the ending!!Artistic licence is all very well BUT not to the extent to make the book unrecognizable in the main.I will read the book again because its 100% excellent----The film,sadly doesnt rate and will wing its way to the nearest charity shop asap.Wonder how Dan Brown feels about the drastic changes to his book???

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Rachel said...

Posted on Dec 14 2009 15:59 I have read both The Davinci Code and Angels & Demons. I enjoyed them both and almost wish I didn't even bother to watch the movies. They weren't true to the story, but that seems to be the norm with book to movie formats. I felt the left out key details, which would have helped explain what was going on. I can't believe Dan Brown would sign off on these movies. The movie seemed rather dull with none of the action that was felt reading the book.

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john said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 05:24 Brutal movie. Not very entertaining, pretty predictable, and when Ewen parachuted out of the helicopter, why didn't anyone catch him? Dan Brown's writing is something my six year old child could do, but even it is better than this movie.

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keithy said...

Posted on Jun 27 2009 22:49 Pleased to see a lot of people goimg to see movie and relying on their own judgement instead of others, wonder if digital fortress and deception point will be made into movies, anyone read these, they were brilliant books

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charli said...

Posted on Jun 27 2009 13:15 when i went to see it i didn't know what to expect but it was absolutely amazing - ignore the movie review, it is fantastic!

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topsparkie said...

Posted on Jun 26 2009 10:44 The film is fantasic and kept me on the edge of my seat.Well worth a trip to the cinema to see this. Ignore the overall review, a must see.

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kj said...

Posted on Jun 18 2009 14:20 It was very well done, despite a lot of variation from the novel. The mportant points were included and the removal of certain features in the book makes it suitable for a younger audience.

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Trish said...

Posted on Jun 15 2009 12:45 Haven't seen the movie yet - considering i was in a hurry to see it after i read the book (in Feb). Have been busy, plus been putting it off considering the initial bad reviews on debut week. However, very brilliant story, anyone in doubt, read the book first and DON'T LISTEN TO ALL THOSE PPLE SLAGGING OFF DAN BROWN! He's an excellent story teller - I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and will try to see the movie this week. I'm happy with the positive comments here and feel encouraged to go watch the movie.

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eddi said...

Posted on Jun 13 2009 19:23 Brilliant film.....well worth the money. I haven't read the book and did not expect it to end the way it did. Tom Hanks was brilliant and Ron Howard just keeps getting better end better. better and better.

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keithy said...

Posted on Jun 13 2009 12:19 Excellent film, anbody with any doubts will crtainly miss being thoroughly entertained

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Phil said...

Posted on Jun 12 2009 09:36 "Perhaps dan brown had taken into account the outrage the first film caused"
Unlikely as he wrote Angels & Demons before writing The Da Vinci Code and certainly years before 'the first film'

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rick said...

Posted on Jun 07 2009 15:08 I found angels and demons to be some what of an anti climax, after watching the da vinci code i expected a lot more. As usual Tom Hanks gave a sterling performance to make the production a little more palatable, but what Tom made up for with talent the script took away with a blase unbeleivable account of the catholic church. Perhaps dan brown had taken into account the outrage the first film caused, but what unfolded was almost an interpretation of the catholic church. I did enjoy the film despite the short comings and found it entertaining, but dont think this film will win any oscars. A three star, a four star being very genourous. Look out for loose ends which dont tie up!

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Karin said...

Posted on Jun 06 2009 18:20 Tom Hanks is outstanding as usual; The story keeps you in suspense from start to end; clever twist how science meets religion, even though both are clearly exaggerated beyond realism it makes for a great story line and good entertainment. I have to admit what captured me most was the location. It makes you feel like you are walking through the streets of Rome yourself.

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Belle aged 16 said...

Posted on Jun 06 2009 17:36 Do not listen to the reviews...this film is absolutely fabulous. If you've read the book first and understand what's going on, then I'm sure you're going to enjoy it. Dan Brown is a genius, and this film, though it goes off on a tangent from the book sometimes, truly shows that genius. Fab cast. 5*

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ronnieblueo said...

Posted on Jun 06 2009 13:09 hi larsa dont be put off
i nearly made that error

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