angels and demons

i read the the da vinci code in the frenzy of it's release
but didn't see the film due to underwhelming demand
never got to read angels and demons so best see the film
some favourable reviews suggesting nothing too serious here
some good film-making, acting, directing and not a bad story
the film opens with some excellent documentary style footage
the pope has died and so we see in widescreen what seems real
rome in all it's glory, parading cardinals in red, mourning crowds
cut to an underground heavy-duty scientific centre in switzerland
the contrast very deliberate and presumably related to the title
some fascinating scenes depicting particle collision experiments
the intention to manufacture anti-matter for the very first time
particularly in light of such tests now being conducted in france
so it's a great start to the film with religion contrasting science
then the fiction kicks in - a murder and theft of the anti-matter
back to the vatican where 4 cardinals have been kidnapped
and so our hero professor langdon (tom hanks) is called in
he's an expert on the ancient cult group the illuminati
they have left a sign that indicates their involvement
seems they have finally decided to take their revenge
the catholic church having forced them underground
their scientific doctrine incompatible with the church's beliefs
and so they intend to kill the 4 cardinals and blow up the vatican
the hero-prof has about 5 hours to prevent murder and mayhem
this while the remaining cardinals are in their conclave for an election
all in all it's like the plot of a james bond movie - complete with the girl
langdon - robert langdon - accompanied by israeli stunner ayelet zurer
and typically she's gorgeous and intelligent - she created the anti-matter
so off to work he goes applying all his religious knowledge to the task
displaying some fine acting skills as he rattles off facts and figures
dashing all over rome and through the vatican chasing down clues
mostly just 1 step behind the baddies as they start assassinating
but midnight is the time the anti-matter bomb will explode
so there's a degree of suspense built into the plot as well
but each twist in the plot seems to add another level of silliness
i found myself laughing out loud (and alone) on several occasions
one when the main baddie is discovered and then sets himself on fire
the resultant (white) smoke finding it's way into the vatican chimneys
and then bringing huge cheers from the crowd - they waiting for that sign
but it's all tongue in cheek stuff i suspect from the director - ron howard
let's not take things too seriously - tell the story - get the message across
do it in an entertaining way but at the same time plant the seeds
get the audience thinking about science and religion today
no answers offered - and leaving each in it's place
so no need for hysterical back-lashes
just lots of bums on seats
...mission accomplished
or whatever bond says