The Film
Dan Brown's riveting page-turner and New York Times best-seller, "The Da Vinci Code" made for an exciting story on the big screen, although the frantic pace packed with convenient coincidences made it a little hard to follow, even with our suspension of disbelief firmly in place. The story -- how the greatest secret of all time remained a secret, protected by the Knights Templar and later a secret society of guardians -- is first rate. But as full as the theatrical version was with twists and turns, the extended edition only manages to extend the length without necessarily extending the enjoyment. Even hardcore "code breakers" of secrets may just wish to get the point already! Don't get me wrong - it's still an enjoyable film, but at times it feels both a bit too dense with information, and a little bit plodding in its pace.
Need a second opinion? Check out Joe Lozito's review of the theatrical release of The Da Vinci Code.
The Picture
With its famous tourist destination landmarks as the backdrop, this Blu-ray Disc is the next best thing to a European vacation. And the film's many visual flashbacks should make for an enjoyable history lesson even for those who aren't history buffs. The 2.40:1 widescreen presentation is very good, and generally free of any visual distractions or noticeable problems. However, for a film set in legendary art museums, famous churches and other notable locations the disc fails to provide a knock-out punch. The visuals are very good, but not quite as good as we might expect.
The Sound
For an action thriller that includes a seeming "race against time," there isn't much in the way of intense surround sound. This is more of a thinking man's thriller, and thus the film lacks any extended shootouts or car chases. The few elements of extreme action are presented quite well with the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track. Likewise, the surround sound picks up on subtle cues and ambient sounds. While this isn't a film filled with audio overload, what is here is very well balanced, helping to create an immersive and realistic soundscape which supports the on-screen action.
The Extras
Fans of Brown's work, as well as anyone interested in the "real" story behind some of Da Vinci's work better not be on any race against time, because this two-disc package is about as loaded as any we've seen, with endless hours of supplemental material. This includes new commentary on selected scenes by director Ron Howard, an interactive picture-in-picture feature that will provide additional clues to the secrets in the film, as well as a total of 17 (!) featurettes including the requisite "making-of" and several closer looks at some of the film's famous locations. There is also a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-released second film in Dan Brown's canon, "Angels and Demons" presented here in high definition, though we're not at libery to discuss the details. You'll just have to go see it in theaters yourself!
Final Thoughts
Can you put too much into a home video version of a film? While the extras should satisfy the hardcore fans, the film and its massive collection of extras might be a little overwhelming for everyone else. With 28 additional minutes of footage added to the film itself, this "race" becomes an epic marathon, and unfortunately some of the added scenes do little to actually advance the story. It is nice to see these included, but the result is that a film that felt long originally now feels a bit too extended. Of course, die-hard fans will want to buy it but that casual observer might want to try a rental first (just be prepared to the late fees!).
Where to Buy
Product Details
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