Angels & Demons - 4K + Blu-ray

Angels and Demons was the follow-up to the Da-Vinci Code, which was a massively popular (and controversial) book by Dan Brown, that was adapted into a somewhat underwhelming movie by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks. I always thought that the first movie was considered underwhelming because of the backlash the book received. This movie reunites Hanks (as the protagonist Robert Langdon) and director Howard in the adaptation of the second novel in the series. It is set around the death of the pope and deals heavily with the search for a new pope. In the background was yet another shadowy group, calling themselves the Illuminati, which protested the Catholic Church's prosecution of scientists 400 years ago, that are attacking members of the clergy. The movie stars Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, and Stellan Skarsgard. Like the Da Vinci Code, this movie entwines real-life historical figures, locations, and events into a fictional suspense storyline. The acting is great, and the screenplay stuck pretty faithfully to the novel. And, Tom Hanks has a much better hairstyle in this movie, which stupidly was a big deal when Da Vinci Code came out. For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. The cinematography showing off Rome in all its glory looks wonderful, especially if you have a big screen to watch the movie on. The extras include a Movie-IQ function that provides an in-movie experience with facts that pop up as you are watching the movie, and several making-of and behind-the-scenes features that range from about five minutes to almost twenty minutes. A good amount of material for those who like watching the bonus features. Overall, the movie is very good. Better than the underrated Da Vinci Code, so if you like that you will probably like this one. Of course, there are a lot of people who will never watch the movie because they considered the Da Vinci Code blasphemous and hence will never read any of the books or watch any of the movies. Chances are people in that category will probably not even consider watching the movie and are unlikely to read the reviews for it. But, if you are on the fence about whether to watch it, I definitely think it is worth giving it a chance. And, you really do not have to watch the first movie to understand what is going on in this one. The only thing the first movie will give you is a bit of the character development of Robert Langdon where this movie assumes you are at least somewhat familiar with the character.

Great Movie!

Good movie

5 of 5 Stars rating for the movie version of Dan Brown's book Angels and Demons. This book is considered to be the #1 book in the Robert Langdon series as it was written before Da Vinci Code. However, with sales & marketing, most people assume Da Vinci Code is #1. A&D happens before the Da Vinci code. However, Ron Howard & team decided to make A&D happen after DVC in the timeline with several references to DVC. BTW, The Lost Symbol is considered #3 in the series happening after both DVC and A&D. The story opens at CERN with a group of scientists trying to create anti-matter in large quantities. There are references to finding the "god" particle. We soon learn that one of the scientists is killed and his eye used to gain access to the secure room with the anti-matter. One large container (magnetic enclosure container) was stolen. Flash forward to Robert Langdon's apartment where a Vatican police officer approaches Langdon to come to Rome to help with an investigation. Well, it is an active case with four kidnapped Cardinales who are to be killed one each hour leading up to midnight when a (anti-matter) bomb will destroy the Vatican. At this time, the current Pope has died (humm, maybe murdered?) and traditional efforts are happening to pick the new Pope. Oh, the four Cardinales are the four leading contenders for the role of new Pope. Why Langdon? Ah, the people claiming to cause this are the Illuminati of which Langdon has been working on a book about them. Langdon performs some quick research in the Vatican Archives to learn where to start the search for the Cardinales. As with Da Vinci Code, Langdon's search is lead by symbols and history. As he chases each of the four victims, he is too late for most.' The cool thing about this story is that it takes place within 12 hours of real-time. It is fast paced, exciting, good action with Langdon becoming more of an Indiana Jones with some of the action. The Langdon character is deeply and richly described and is likely to become iconic much like Jones. As before with Da Vinci, Dan Brown's deep research and crafting of historical facts and locations to meet his needs for the story is impressive. It is interesting to note that all of the Vatican scenes were created in LA as they couldn't get permission to film. Scenes of other locations around Rome were shot on-site. The detail and richness of the sets and costumes is amazing! Tom Hanks as Langdon is wonderful and he is well on his way to being an icon. I can only hope that Howard/Hanks are working on the Lost Symbol. I highly recommend Angels and Demons it is now on my favorites list. I specially recommend the Blu-Ray 3 disk set with an entire disk of behind-the-scenes materials.

Hanks doesn't disappoint.

Very well packed

"Angels & Demons" is a cinematic masterpiece that had my son glued to the screen, watching it in a single breath. This gripping thriller, based on Dan Brown's novel, combines mystery, history, and suspense in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story unfolds at a breakneck pace as Robert Langdon, played by the brilliant Tom Hanks, races against time to unravel a sinister plot involving the Illuminati. The Vatican City becomes the battleground for a high-stakes battle of wits and knowledge. What's truly remarkable is how the movie seamlessly weaves together art, history, and science into a riveting narrative. It's not just a thriller; it's an intellectual rollercoaster that challenges your mind and keeps you guessing until the very end. Tom Hanks delivers a stellar performance, bringing depth and gravitas to the character of Robert Langdon. The supporting cast is equally impressive, adding layers of intrigue to the plot. The visuals are stunning, with breathtaking shots of Rome and the Vatican that transport you right into the heart of the action. The suspenseful score enhances the overall experience, making every twist and turn even more thrilling. But what truly captivated my son, and myself, was the relentless pace of the story. It's a race against time with no room for boredom. Each clue, each discovery, and each revelation keep you hooked and eager to see what happens next. In conclusion, "Angels & Demons" is not just a movie; it's an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride that leaves you breathless with excitement. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and the joy of solving intricate puzzles. If you're a fan of suspenseful, intellectually engaging films, this one is an absolute must-watch.

It arrived on time and worth the price

Aunque la carátula no está en español en el interior sí que lo trae

Soy fan del cine del director Ron Howard y del actor Tom Hanks, y cuando supe que Sony Pictures había restaurado el clásico de 2009 "Angels & Demons" o "Ángeles y Demonios" en 4K Ultra HD, la compré de inmediato. Se ve espectacular, mejor que nunca, con una calidad de imagen fuera de serie. Lo mejor es que trae subtítulos en español, y lo peor es que no trae el Slipcover de colección.

期待を裏切りませんでした。

A really excellent film. It is fast paced but very watchable. Would recommend it.

ありがとう。