Review: ‘Inferno’- An unfaithful adaptation but the best film of the trilogy

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A decade has past since Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) hit the screen for his first adventure in the Da Vinci Code and he now returns for another go in the adaptation Inferno. From director Ron Howard based on the Dan Brown novel, “Inferno”, the fourth book in the series (yes, they skipped “The Lost Symbol”), is an exciting and intricate race against time that kept you intrigued throughout the pages, question is, can the movie adaptation match the cleverness?

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Robert Langdon awakens in a hospital room in Florence, Italy, with no memory of what has transpired over the last few days and unexplained visions of human suffering. Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), the attending physician, tells him that he is suffering from amnesia as a result of a bullet wound to his head and asks if he can remember anything that might help them understand what happened. Langdon has little time to process his thoughts as an assassin arrives to complete her mission. Sienna helps Langdon escape and the chase begins. The two arrive in Sienna’s apartment where they find Faraday pointer among Langdon’s personal belongings with projection of Botticelli’s Map of Hell.

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They discover that the map is part of a mystery left by billionaire geneticist Bertrand Zobrist (Ben Foster), who believes that the world is destined for over population and the extinction of the human race. Discovering that Zobrist had recently killed himself, Langdon concludes that there is a reason for this map to be in his possession and the two find a hidden message within. Langdon’s knowledge of Dante’s work allows the two to follow clues thru Florence and Venice, while evading the assassin and the authorities, including the WHO, whom have a keen interest in Langdon. Sienna and Langdon have less than 24 hours to decipher friend from foe and collect all the information they need to help them stop a global event that will change the human race forever.

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Inferno is a fun movie with beautiful cinematography, but the film version falls short of the excitement that made the book so enjoyable, opting for unimaginative plot changes which will leave fans shaking their heads. Tom Hanks isn’t as crisp and confident in his portrayal of Langdon this go around, but the added vulnerability to the character allows Hanks to explore a more emotional side to his character which keeps this version of Langdon from feeling like a retread of the previous films. Felicity Jones’ Sienna Brooks is a far cry from the book version which had so many wonderful layers to her. Jones isn’t to blame for this, but what she is provided isn’t very interesting nor is her chemistry with Hanks. Most of the blame for the character development falls strictly on screenwriter David Koepp and director Ron Howard who ultimately opted for this watered down version of a film.

Overall, Inferno is a struggle for fans of the novel, but a fun movie that will entertain. If nothing else, the film will allow fans of the franchise to see their favorite professor in action one more time, which is worth the price of admission.

Stars:

3 out of 5

Trailer:

Join the “Inferno Journey Through Hell” Experience and match wits against “The Da Vinci Code” author Dan Brown by solving a series of puzzles

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Beginning today, moviegoers highly anticipating the release of Inferno starring Tom Hanks can play the part of Robert Langdon himself.  In a three-week race against time, fans can decipher clues and solve a series of complex and challenging riddles created in collaboration with Dan Brown in Sony Pictures’ Inferno Journey Through Hell” interactive experience.  Built with technology from Google, audiences who solve the puzzles will have the chance to win a grand prize trip to Italy* befitting of Langdon himself.  Inferno, the highly anticipated suspense thriller from Columbia Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, will be released in theaters nationwide on October 28.
Each week, users go to Inferno movie to find three new puzzles themed to the circles of hell as depicted in Dante’s Inferno.  Finding clues hidden throughout Google products (Google Maps, Gmail, Google Search, Google Play, Google Docs, Google Cultural Institute and YouTube), and the world’s most popular social platforms, players will complete up to three puzzles each week and will have the opportunity to win weekly prizes, culminating in one grand prize – an Italian getaway with stops in Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice.  As each new set of puzzles are unveiled week-to-week, the experience will become increasingly difficult to solve as the “Inferno Journey Through Hell” progresses to its ultimate mind-bending final challenge.
“Dan Brown is a master of creating suspenseful and intellectual mysteries that are known for interweaving classic references to art and history while also using hidden codes and symbols. For the first time, Dan has collaborated with the studio and our partners at Google to develop an online puzzle-based challenge that is filled with his signature brand of entertainment. The ‘Inferno Journey Through Hell’ will lead fans through many fun twists and turns while also giving them the chance to win some pretty spectacular prizes,” said Elias Plishner, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Digital Marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“I’m excited to bring together the technology of Google and the code-breaking elements of the Robert Langdon series. The experience allows audiences to bring Robert Langdon’s world to life by deciphering puzzles and utilizing online tools at their fingertips,” said Dan Brown, author of the Robert Langdon series.
Ron Howard added, “One of the reasons why the Robert Langdon books and movies are so much fun is that the audience has the chance to solve the puzzles as he does.  That’s why I’m so excited about this promotion – it brings Inferno to life.  With the puzzles that the studio and Dan have created, powered by Google, you have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be Robert Langdon.”
“We are always glad to see our products being used in clever, compelling and engaging ways,” said Alex Angeledes, Industry Director for Media & Entertainment at Google. “Sony Pictures has given fans unique ways of discovering the depth and complexity of this film in ways that appeal to modern moviegoers.”
*NO PURCHASE/CHALLENGE COMPLETION NECESSARY. Starts 8:00:01 am PT 10/3/16. Ends 12:00 pm PT 10/24/16 online & 10/25/16 for mail entry postmark.  Consists of 3 weekly & 1 GP drawing. Open to legal residents of 50 US & DC & Canada (except Quebec Prov.) 18+. See Official Rules at www.InfernoSweepsRules.com  for complete details incl. entry periods and how to enter by mail. Void where prohibited.

Ben Foster Cast in Da Vinci Code Sequel ‘Inferno’

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Columbia Pictures has announced that Ben Foster (Lone Survivor) has been added to the all star cast of Ron Howard’s upcoming sequel Inferno, the third film in the Da Vinci Code franchise.

Tom Hanks will return to reprise his role as Robert Langdon opposite Felicity Jones as Dr. Sienna Brooks, Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi) as Harry Sims (aka The Provost), Omar Sy (The Intouchables) as Christoph Bruder and Sidse Babett Knudsen (Borgen) as Dr. Elizabeth Sinskey, the head of the World Health Organization. Foster’s role has not yet been revealed.

Ron Howard returns for another go in the continuing Robert Langdon adventures with principal photography beginning at the end of April. David Koepp wrote the screenplay based on the book by Dan Brown.

Inferno is actually the forth book in the Dan Brown book series and features a storyline which centers around a madman who intends on releasing a global plague connected to Dante’s immortal tome The third book, “The Lost Symbol”, has yet to be made into a feature.

The film will be released on October 14, 2016