Angels & Demons (Single-Disc Theatrical Edition) (2009)

 

 

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Other reviewers have adequately commented on the motion picture itself. This review pertains to the so-called Two-Disc Extended Edition. While most two-disc editions provide the viewer with hours of additional features on the making the motion picture and the cast and crew, this edition provides the viewer with only three ten-minute featurettes, that easily could have been included on the feature disc, and about 20 "previews" for other motion pictures. At typically a 50% premium in price over the single-disc version, the three featurettes are not worth the price. Buy the single-disc version instead and enjoy the movie.

Very briefly, I would like to begin by addressing some of the criticism concerning this movie.

Some are unhappy because the movie does not closely follow the book. This happens to be true but how many book-based movies do? For the sake of movie-making, Dan Brown's book was not followed to the letter or even closely. However, it may be worth knowing that Dan Brown was the movie's executive producer and he absolutely approved all the major plot changes. If fact, he confesses to actually suggesting some of the major changes. Perhaps those who read the book should treat the movie as work 'related' to the book but not THE book illustrated. It's still Dan Brown's work but this is cinematography that was inspired by his book, to be appreciated and enjoyed as a movie.

I heard statements that the book was somehow anti-Christian or anti-Catholic. I disagree. I will not reveal the plot by providing substantial details but the movie concludes in a way that suggests respect for religious faith and the Catholic church, in fact, comes out looking pretty good.

Angels & Demons besides being a feast to the eyes, it succeeds in arousing the viewer's curiosity in more than one area: contemporary physics, Rome's landmarks, the Vatican. And those who watched the movie and may find themselves in Rome and at the Vatican are more likely than not to actually look for some of the landmarks featured in Angels & Demons. In fairness, Angels & Demons does not come close to The DaVinci Code's Earth-shattering scope, depth of research and sophistication but it's still unmistakenly Dan Brown and those who enjoyed the Code will probably love A&D.; Those who hated the Code are likely to hate A&D; more. To me, Dan Brown's works are not art and they aren't science but they are great, well researched entertainment that often challenge the reader's/viewer's preconceived opinions and stimulate further research and investigation - and this is a good thing.

When it comes to acting Tom Hanks does not disappoint as Robert Langdon but Ewan McGregor lacks the gravitas we would expect from an acting Pope. All others are up to the job but I didn't see any Oscar-quality performances and didn't expect to.

The special effects - when it comes to the recreation of St. Peter Square and parts of the Vatican - are nothing short of amazing. Like I said, the movie is a feast to the eyes and, for all intents and purposes, what you see is always Rome and the Vatican, even when the cameras were filming some California parking lot.


PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION

Sony is totally throwing the kitchen sink at us with this Blu edition. As the Blu standard bearer and main promoter, they want to show us what Blu can do to make our lives a little more interesting. Everything that you can think of when you think Blu-ray and more 'is in there'.

Everything is good quality, starting with the Blu case which is not the cheap, perforated, almost falling apart kind that some of the lesser editions are using these days.

The decision to include both the theatrical version AND the extended cut on the same disc is responsible for this being a 3-disc set with a second disk carrying the special features and a third dedicated to the digital copies.

Technically speaking, the picture is, of course, a sharp 1080p and the two available sound tracks are both DTS-HD Master Audio in English and French. Surprisingly, the bonus features are shot in high-def as well with 2.0 stereo for the soundtrack.


SPECIAL FEATURES - BLU-RAY

Besides BD-Live, a number of interesting Blu-specific features are available with this release.

The Path of Illumination emulates a trail through Rome, following Robert Langdon's through 5 Roman landmarks. It has high visuals, interviews, footage from each location, even a dictionary where dozens of terms are explained. Anyone passing through Rome could walk the path with the Path of Illumination feature serving as a travel guide.

CineChat is another Sony attempt to promote more interactivity. It allows those watching the movie to organize themselves into a viewing party and actually have their chats displayed on-screen as the movie is playing.

The movieIQ option is a BD-Live powered option. It logs into and checks some online database and provides up-to-date information about the movie and specific chapters while watching the movie. Pretty cool actually and not over-distracting, especially considering that this is not information 'burned' into the disc and it is updated, at least in theory if not in practice.

The digital copy, if this can go under Blu-ray specific features, is available for the PC, PSP (via PS3), Mac and iPod. Expires on 2/12/2010.


THE OTHER EXTRAS

Not as interactive as the BD-specific ones, they are also shot in hi-def for the Blu version, there are lots of shorts about the 'making of', actors, special effects, as expected. The featurette titled 'Writing Angels & Demons' should be of special interest because it's there where Dan Brown confesses to his specific agreement and cooperation on altering the story. Another interesting extra is on the CERN. Finally, we actually get to see and hear the real-life John Langdon, the person who served as the inspiration for the Robert Langdon character - he specializes in 'ambiagrams', of course.


MY RATING

I found this movie to be entertaining and to carry sufficient 'substance' to merit watching maybe more than once. The quality of the Blu rendition is nothing short of exquisite and the extras, both Blu-specific and the regular ones are worth watching and interacting with.

Angels & Demons is a keeper and, as a work of entertainment, it's a 5-star in my book.

This is one of those movies that was truly better than its predecessor. The good thing is you don't need to see Davinci Code to understand this movie. Its like Ron Howard took it to heart what people were saying regarding the DaVinci code, it was good but needed some more action to keep you interested.

Angels and Demons does this perfectly. Still a great story line, but tons of action, and a great score.

I left the theater after seeing this with a huge smile on my face. In plain words...

It was awesome!

-Jack

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4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent service
Just that I received this movie in good condition and timely. The price was decent. Packaging was top notch. The movie itself was great

Published 2 days ago by Bobby

3.0 out of 5 stars More gory, same action sequence, cooler effects, easier to understand than Da Vinci Code
When I first watched Da Vinci Code, I left the movie feeling like I missed a huge part of the movie other than the girl supposedly a decendent of Jesus. Read more

Published 1 month ago by jschristian44

5.0 out of 5 stars Angels & Demons!! Very good!
I loved Angels & Demons! Extremelly well done, very entertaining, and suspenseful. Anything with Tom Hanks on is great!

Thanks,

Marcelo

Published 1 month ago by Luzia A. Dealmeida

1.0 out of 5 stars Illuminati uses a movie about them to pretend to be a thing of the past
This movie produced by those who brainwash us out in Hollywood, directed by the loser Ron Howard, starring the no talent Tomy Hanks, both involved with the globalist movement of... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Debrobeaudean

1.0 out of 5 stars More anti-Catholic propaganda from Zionistwood
The Zionist public relations machine is the best in the world at manipulation, discrediting other nations, diminishing the history of others while inflating their own, and... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Chris DeVaas

3.0 out of 5 stars Nun of That!
Is ANGELS & DEMONS entertaining? Yes. Can Ron Howard make a riveting movie? Absolutely. And does Howard wisely bypass some of the hysterical physical antics Dan Brown makes... Read more

Published 2 months ago by D. Mikels

4.0 out of 5 stars The Ending Takes Away A Star
I was surprised at how entertaining this movie was. Because The Da Vinci Code was, in most respects, an artistic failure, I had every reason to expect another dose of lackluster... Read more

Published 3 months ago by K. pratt

5.0 out of 5 stars Very powerful movie
This is a great movie. It is very powerful and suspenseful. The history tie-ins are great and it has enough twists and turns to keep you interested throughout.

Published 3 months ago by One Cent

1.0 out of 5 stars Utterly stupid. One of the worst movies ever
I watched this movie simply to see how bad it could become. I wasn't disappointed;

* Plot: What plot? Read more

Published 3 months ago by Peter T. Wolf

3.0 out of 5 stars Cool movie
This movie is much like Da Vicni code, but there'[s enough differences to keep the two from being copies of one another. Read more

Published 3 months ago by M

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