Da Vinci Code sequel

[Eagle]

I've been eagerly anticipating the opening of Angels & Demons so went to the first showing yesterday. As many of you probably know, this is the sequel to the Da Vinci Code.

I found the pace of the movie to be a bit faster than the Da Vinci Code, and with more "action". There were a few interesting twists, and the identity of the villain didn't become apparent until close to the end of the movie (unlike the Da Vinci Code, I hadn't read the book before seeing the movie).

One of the best parts of the movie was that it mostly takes place in Rome, so there were LOTS of scenes of famous sites in Rome (the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant'Angelo and of course the Vatican). It was fun to see those familiar sites in such a different way! I'm sure there will be firms offering Angels & Demons tours of the sites featured in the movie very shortly!

It will be interesting to see what the official reviews say about the movie. I definitely enjoyed it!

Cheers!

[madamtrashheap]

When both these books came out, operators scrambled to put together tours based on the sights named in each of them, so there have been quite a few tours relating to both for a while now, some good, some a little dodgy. You can even make up your own walking paths in cities relating to sights in both books (particularly Paris and Rome) if you're keen.

One place I recommend that is mentioned in Angels and Demons is the Santa Maria del Popolo church in Piazza del Popolo. Stand with the obelisk and via del Corso behind you, it's the building on the right of the arches. It has frescoes by Pinturicchio, paintings by Caravaggio and a sculpture by Bernini. I'm a little smug as I've been recommending this to people for many years ;D and even though the books are not geographically acurate (eg Da Vinci Code in Paris, wrong street directions for the museum escape - they would have driven into the President's residence!) they are good stories so if it gets people reading I'm for it!

[Eagle]

MTH, thanks for the information on the Santa Maria del Popolo Church. I can't recall if I've been there in the past, but will make sure to put it on my list for the next visit to Rome.

One other interesting fact about the movie that I just learned from news reports, was that the Vatican wouldn't allow filming in St. Peter's, so the producers of the movie used a computer animation firm in Vancouver, B.C. to re-create the interior of the Church in "virtual reality". Isn't computer technology wonderful!

I believe the same computer firm was used to re-create the interior of St. Sulpice in Paris for the Da Vinci Code, as again the Church wouldn't allow filming inside.

Cheers!