Da Vinci revisited

... had to sit in with 2 other friends in a cinema today. $9.50 for the opening week-'end'.

Well, what can I say. I've read the book and watched the movie. So which one is better? My advice is: read the book first before you watch the goddam movie. Why? You'd know what to anticipate. Storyline gets confusing at first. And if you are a hard-core Christian, you might stand up half-way during the film and walk out, denouncing the claims as bullcrap. Don't waste your money. Personally, I had to endure a few shadowy figures walking out directly in the row ahead of me.

I did not conduct a background study of this movie. So it was splendid with a serving of a star-studded cast, with 2 of my favourite actors, Ian McKellen + Tom Hanks. What my friend commented was that, the acting isn't that good. But he added, that's not the point. The storyline doesn't require great acting. Ian was great. I expected him to be most fitting for the role of Teabing. Tom Hanks plays any role well, with his excellent track record.

My displeasure... The beginnings at the museum was enough to drive anyone nuts. The storyline proceeded rapidly, leaving little room for the unexperienced watchers (never read the book nor heard of Da Vinci). My friends were left confused... could do better with extra explanatory footage in an Extended DVD (might not happen). The footage was a bit shaky.

Merits. The visual eyecandy was appealing.. With the depiction of the quest for the holy grail.. the history section.. was damn cool. The shock scenes, played at loud volume, with Silas jumping out at every corner, was swell.

People come out in protest, in forums, voicing their beliefs. The conspiracy theorists have designed a nasty picture of the church. But they have supporting evidence. However, much of this evidence is ficticious, and Dan Brown, the creative genius may have exaggerated part of world history... That we know not.

But let's put an end to this pointless debate: Da Vinci code would ultimately shock the believers from their rock solid foundation of faith (CULTURE SHOCK). The non-believers, would agree with this version because they don't rest on any foundation to begin with. IN THE STORY, the main character, Langdon said "Christ provides a source of human inspiration... Whereby we can remember his suffering and sacrifice, and pray to him in our darkest hour" That's the important point. Don't miss it. It's not an anti-christian piece of work.

What's more important, it's feminist, the 'Sacred feminine' concept. The die-hard believers would jump out and say, THERE IS NO SACRED FEMININE... you know. But it goes to show the value of women in our society. As this work of fiction shows, SO DARK IS THE CON OF MAN. Highlighted in the book, Christianity has defined the roles of women to a stereotypical degree (as Muslims do, I believe). It has prevented them from acquiring powerful positions in society, and bringing the societal fabric together by imposing a standard Patriachal Rule. Why is it that most churches only have Father priests residing in church? Will someone enlighten me? Why is Eve the sinner in the bible, or portrayed in a bad light? It is disconcerting, to learn about the explanation of the Witch-hunts. Women intellectuals being put on the noose, slaughtered. All because of a feud over the rule of church.

I suppose Christianity is put to the test again. First was Passion of the Christ. Now, Da Vinci. What next? God knows.