I found Ron Howard’s new movie adaptation of Dan Brown’s 2000 novel Angels and Demons to be far better than The Da Vinci Code from a Christian perspective. The movie did not dwell on the anti-Christian theories and themes that pervaded the previous work.

That doesn’t mean that it was ‘pro-Christian’- just not substantially ‘anti’. One of the major issues continually dwelt with in the book is the so-called battle between science and religion—and in this case Catholicism. This was obviously downplayed in the movie and I found it far move enjoyable than the ‘Code’.

The movie sets, along with the Vatican and Roman backgrounds were awesome. In the final analysis, this turned out to be a very good suspenseful detective story with a good twist or two. This is actually a movie that most Christians will be able to enjoy and not be offended by—even Catholics will find it rather harmless after all the negative hype.          *Top 

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I admit it, I am a Bond fan and I have always found something to like in every portrayal and every different actor who has played James Bond.  Sean Connery is my favorite Bond, probably because he introduced me to the genre while growing up in the 60′s.  But I must say that Daniel Craig may become the best since Sean.  I eagerly await the next episode.

Casino Royale  gives us Bond at the beginning.  A Bond who is more introspective and even vulnerable.  A complicated Bond?  Yes, I believe so.  It will be interesting to see how this characterization is played out in the movies to come. This story really was about Bond himself, and Daniel Craig does an incredible job of bringing us aboard.  This film actually contains a ‘real’ and genuine love story.  Eva Green as Vesper, really does bring out a new side to James.  Will that vulnerability end with the first Daniel Craig rendition or continue on, it should be interesting.

Toward the end of the film with everything winding down, you have a feeling that something is wrong and can not possibly end this way, and of coarse that is the case.  There are some surprising twists to this story.  For instance, James leave a woman behind as things are just beginning to warm up, the ‘old’ Bond would have taken care of the woman first and then gone on to take care of business.  The background scenes are as interesting as ever.  At least it slows down enough to really see and enjoy them for once.

The one continuity with the past bond films is ‘M’ who continues to be played by Judi Dench.  Her able and sober characterization here brings needed stability to the film and the story.  Bond fans should be confident after seeing this production that the franchise is alive and well.

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The film was well made and the acting was good.  There was a dark and oppressive atmosphere throughout.  Lots of graphic violence: a beheading, a hanging, and an impaling.

Evil reigns in this story and there is very few redeeming moments.  The priest tries to convince Robert Thorn, that his son Damien is actually a child of the Devil.  In the process, he urges the father to repent and turn to Christ, as his only hope.  Robert is an unbeliever and continues to be one until the very end.  His wife Kate, suffers at the hand of their supposed son Damien, and becomes afraid of him in the process.  Mia Farrow plays the devoted nanny who is really a servant of Satan, actually a well developed and interesting role.

The religious themes are all messed up in this movie, as one might expect.  The justification for the coming of the anti-Christ is presented as a combination of world events, starting with the return of Jews to Israel.  Actually that is the one possibly valid point. There are many major Bible teachers who believe that the anti-Christ is alive today somewhere and waiting to take over.  Then they list 9/11, war on terror, Katrina, and the coming of a major comet as signs that the time of the end and the anti-Christ is here.  Unfortunately, the religious folk in the movie, have no power and are totally at the mercy of the evil forces.

This movie was a remake.  I believe that the first version was far better.  Not as dark and dreary, but full of suspense and unfulfilled hope. There was never any expectation for the best nor any reason given to hope in this rendition–darkness and evil reigns throughout.

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