DVDs in Review

Angels and Demons

Title: Angels and Demons (2009)

Release date: September 14 2009

Certificate: 12

Format: Reviewed on DVD, available on Blu-ray

DVD RRP: £19.99

Rating: 3.5/5

The trouble with Ron Howard's direction (even in his admittedly brilliant films like 'Frost/Nixon') is that he always plays it safe, and 'Angels and Demons' is no exception.

Tom Hanks stars as the know-it-all Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) who is drafted in by the Vatican after four cardinals are kidnapped. They will be executed in tandem with the four alters of science - earth, air, fire and water. After which, the Vatican will fall victim to a massive bomb created from "anti-matter" (the result of particles being collided in a massive machine).

It's something along the lines of 'Se7en' meets 'James Bond' but lacks what both of those had in their respective fields - the motives and dark tone of 'Se7en' is abscent and the playful chemistry-drenched adventures of 007 are a far cry from this odd tone.

The majority of the first two acts revolves around breaking puzzles, running around, using microscopes and cameras, and throwing in an obligatory "come on!" or "oh my God" to create suspense or pause for thought, respectively. 

Hanks has precious little chemistry with his scientist companion Vittoria (the beautiful Ayelet Zurer), and his character doesn't hold much love for religion either. There seems to be few human aspects about this central character (or supporting players) and the most annoying thing is that everything comes so easily for Langdon. Yes, he is often late and against the clock but he's never wrong.  

'Angels and Demons' is formulaic and plot-driven, but in the last act it reveals its true colours and they are both beautiful and alluring. The twists aren't just there for the sake of it. Instead they deepen the story and provide a more solid reasoning for what trundled along as a mystery for so long. Religion becomes a question, not just a backdrop for a chase, and power is debated between the old and young, as well as those from scientific fields and the opposing religious state.

'Angels and Demons' is an intriguing film by the time it reaches its coda. As a thriller, it's just about satisfying, while its mystery elements are steeped in enough history and intellect to make them appear fascinating even if they are just filler. This is also a considerably violent film, given its tame age rating but in contrast there is no sex and very little bad language.

Ultimately, this film is propelled by the job occupations that its characters hold but the ironic thing is that the writers didn't flesh them out particularly well, leaving Ron Howard to provide many music video-style camera swoops and blasts of action to gloss over the cracks.

Hopefully what the inevitable sequel will realise is that these cracks need prized apart to see inside the characters' flaws to make for more arresting entertainment. As it stands, 'Angels and Demons' is very watchable in its own right even when it's shamelessly brimming with Sony product placement.