Why do the books get bestseller status yet film critics absolutely pan the films? I mean I have seen far worse films than this trillogy so what is everyones problem. Yes they may have change odd things like a different ending but that does not dictate if a film is any good.
shareApparently one ought to have seen the first two movies, and maybe even have read the book this... We walked in cold, with zero prior knowledge... As a result we found this a little hard to follow at times... And, not being 'insiders' I think it's one of those where you need some knowledge ahead of time... Then again, We're old so what do we know...
shareI haven't read the books or seen this film, but from what I took from the Da Vinci Code is that they have really weak direction and scripts and end up feeling like generic thrillers that just aren't interesting or entertaining.
shareDan Brown's books are very good and well written. I majored in History and English. I like art, and as a History and English Teacher, I love how he mixes history and culture in his stories, like in the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Lost Symbol, and Inferno. I'm not looking for something to believe in a work of fiction, I'm looking for something to read. I want something that fires my imagination. It's why I read Stephen King, even when the critics, both book and movie, panned him. I enjoy his books. Not everything I read is on the Great Books list like Shakespeare, Twain, or Orwell. It's why I read the book first and then see the movie later, most of the time. I don't care what the critics say, not even when my students do critiques of their own for class. Book critics look at plot, symbolism, imagery, and other literary elements. However, a book cannot include all of those or gloss over some of those elements and still be a great read.
With movies on the other hand, things are different. First, the fans are comparing the book to the movie. They want to see faith to the book. Then there is everyone who hasn't read the book. What they want is to be entertained. Some will see the movie, and then read the book. These first two categories cover most people, and do not account for movie awards. Movies win awards based upon art and the critics. That is what movie critics and the Academy, Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, and BAFTAs look for, great art. Movies do not win awards simply for selling many tickets or for simply breaking box office records. Books do make the NYT and other bestseller lists for selling many copies in every format, so do songs and albums. Albums, yes art is involved, but a song or album that sells poorly has little chance of winning a Grammy. However, they can get a Gold or Platinum Record for selling 1 million or 10 million copies. Movies, they are looking for art, and the fact that they broke box office records makes little difference to the Academy, the Emmys or BAFTA, but that doesn't mean people didn't like it. By the way, if you don't like Dan Brown' Books or the movies, or Stephen Kings books or the movies, no one is forcing you to buy them or see them. . . .