The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

So last night I went to see The Da Vinci Code. The theatre wasn't too full, maybe because everyone who wanted to see it has already seen it or maybe because the final American Idol episode was on.

It has been quite fashionable to bash The Da Vinci Code whether it's in book or film format. The Cannes film festival critics hated it with a passion, and reading the buzz on how bad it was made me think we might have another Waterworld on our hands. But really, it isn't that bad.

What we have is an average thriller, with predictable twists and turns and the normal car chases and races on foot, that has piqued more interest because it questions what really went on with Jesus Christ and Mary Magdelene. This isn't really groundbreaking stuff, because I think we've all heard at one time or another the "rumour" Jesus married Mary Magdelene, had a child, etc. The film is interesting when it describes the history of Pagans, the Knights Templar and the power stuggles in the Vatican. What is true and what isn't, well, I'm no student of history and it's been repeated many times that this book/movie is entirely a work of fiction. But still interesting nonetheless. More so than the central plot of the film of a male and female lead running of time, being chased at every corner, needing to find the clues to locate the treasure they're looking for.

I didn't read the book, and I could still tell they were trying to cram as much as they could from it in the near 2 1/2 hour screen time. This might be a more enjoyable film if you have read it before.

Anyway, you don't really need to see this in the theatre, and I think the critics were a little bit grumpy when the majority gave it a thumbs down. Remember, this is the same group of people that though David Cronenberg's Crash was art, so I'm always a bit suspicious. This is one of those movies that's worth a Friday night rental, you probably don't need to own it in your DVD collection, but you will discuss it with others that have seen it, too.

Mildly recommended.