Angels and Demons (2009)

I just watched the film.

It's slick and fast paced. It definitely helps if you've read the book - cuz it'll be easier to pick up the story.

There are a lot of deviations from the book though. The Pope in the book is also the father of one of the characters - although the child is a miracle of science more than anything else, which is one reason why the Pope was a believer of the good of science. That was one of the major things that happens in the book, one of the most controversial points because of the divergent views on modern medicine and artificial means of reproduction.

All that is cut though. I remember I had read that the movie could not be shot in Vatican City because the Church was not happy with The Da Vinci Code. So I was surprised at how well reconstructed the sets were and how real the whole thing looked. Even the insides of the church, some of Bernini's statues - all quite well done.

Italy is a beautiful country to visit, steeped in a rich cultural heritage that has been well preserved over time. The deep seated religious beliefs of the country are comparable to those we find in India.

My verdict: Read the book, then watch the film.

"Only Angels and Demons can raise the dead".