Overall, the film feels far more like TV fodder than something worthy of the big screen. The plot is intriguing and the acting pretty good, but the final finish is lackluster.

Even with Tom Hanks and Amelie, I found myself calculating the time the film would conclude so I could hang out with my friends. But fortunately, before I could finish my sigh, Ian McKellen made it to screen. I must say, he saved the production. His is a wonderfully eccentric, giddily thinking character and Ian breaks him onto that tan brown landscape of this film with striking turquoise brilliance.

As for production itself, well, I was a bit embarrassed for Ron Howard. More than just a few shots were out of focus or fuzzy for other reason. Additionally, many of the action sequences were lifeless and ended with the intellectuals getting the upper hand of hardened musclemen -- absolutely ridiculous. I would never have thought such a supposed thinking person’s film would insult the thinking person.

As for the religious component -- as the Hanks character says in the film -- theories, all theories.

Ironically, I'd forgotten who was directing this film, and as the code breaking special effects began to unfold, I was reminded of A Beautiful Mind. But since Da Vinci Code so lacked that kind of cinematic intensity, I said to myself, "I wish Ron Howard were directing this picture." Then as the credits rolled, I saw his name -- but never his touch. Did he have a bad day? A feud with the cinematographer? A lack of interest? Or did the studio just borrow his name? Was he rushed? Ron, what happened here?

Want a better Grail Hunting film? See Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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