Angels & Demons (4K UHD + Blu-ray)

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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.

I will make this short and to the point. I am not a Tom Hanks fan, yet I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It is great quality, cinematic, beautifully filmed, and very entertaining.I definitely liked it better than the first. It is absolutely worth renting, and I agree that it is even worth a second look.There are a few major holes in it, but whatever. These things you just overlook, and enjoy the ride.******spoiler alertWhile I give the film a good review, I have to get a couple things off my chest that I thought were ridiculous.1) When Robert and the woman are cornered by the killer in an enclosed space, the killer who has previously killed at least a dozen people doesn't kill Robert. The reason is that he "wasn't told to". Was he told to shoot the two policemen five minutes earlier? Or the seven policemen in the church earlier? That was simply ridiculous that a killer would do this, and not even tie them up. Plus, it would have benefitted Ewan McGregor's character if Robert and the woman were eliminated. If anything he would have told the killer to get rid of them!2) When searching for the bomb, they were pretty sure to have narrowed it to one location. Why didn't they turn off the lights in that location, like they were doing everywhere else? This would have been much more efficient, instead of searching through an entire building. Stupid. And I never understood why would they put a camera on the bomb like that?

Great movie

"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.