Judging by the disproportionate box office success of “The Da Vinci Code,” audiences won’t fear to tread to “Angels.” But this sequel to the 2006 blockbuster — based on a Dan Brown novel that was actually written before his more emblematic best-seller — isn’t all that much better.
“Angels and Demons” is a thriller set in and around the Vatican, which is about to be blown up by a bomb fashioned from the latest technology in “antimatter.” And only the guy who proved that Jesus was a daddy can save the day!
Today’s piece has all the same marketable elements that made the rambling, arcane and slow “Code” a hit, despite the critical drubbing it took. It has author Brown’s presold brand identity and the middlebrow fascinations of another of his pseudohistorical religious conspiracy theories. And, of course, it has two of Hollywood’s most beloved elders back on board: Tom Hanks believably reprises the role of the near-clairvoyantly brilliant symbologist Robert Langdon. And fine journeyman director Ron Howard continues to prove his ability to frame an elegant shot and choreograph an exciting action sequence.
Unfortunately, even though Howard does a better job this time giving the material a pulse, both Brown works have the same problem on the page and on the screen. It’s in the writing. And it’s not just because his characters are one-dimensional. Despite interesting premises, in “Angel’s” case of raising the longtime conflict between the Catholic Church and scientific progress, the fictional elements of these stories are wildly contrived and ridiculous. Infuriating red herrings abound. Plot twists and epiphanies about clues strike so abruptly and conveniently; the unfolding mystery becomes an eye-rolling joke.
This time, though, the screenplay by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman does move better. The narrative has been stripped down to this race against time around a picturesque Rome to save four kidnapped cardinals — contending to be the next pope — and prevent annihilation of the Holy See.
Ewan McGregor plays a seemingly progressive Camerlengo, the recently deceased pope’s right-hand dude. Stellan Skarsgard plays the ornery commander of the papacy’s elite Swiss Guard. There’s also a sexy physicist (Ayelet Zurer), an ambitious cardinal (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and an assassin (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) with possible ties to a secret order of scientists, the Illuminati.
Angels or demons? Whodunit? You won’t care. The pictures are pretty and the popcorn’s hot.
Quick Info
‘Angels and Demons’
2 out of 5 Stars
Stars: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård
Director: Ron Howard
Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material
Running Time: 138 minutes
