The Da Vinci Code DVD Release

First off- I’ll not capitulate over what many others have noted concerning plot-line or the adaptation of the book to the silver screen.  I also couldn’t give a rat’s patooty concerning the theological conspiracy theories surrounding the content- it’s a work of fiction and a very hole-filled work at that.  Suffice it to say that the film’s own merits do very well to sell itself and the book stands as it’s own great body of work.  To try to amalgamate the two [book/film] is a rudimentary division of time versus materials versus money versus [ad nauseum]. 

 To mark either the film or the book as heretical or unseemly because of the general content on a religious level is banal- find solace in a religious forum or book club if you’re offended by the story content- you’ll get none here.

Now- if we speak in terms of materials in regards to the DVD and how it’s packaged, now we may have something here!

Some critics have already noted that as a cinematic cross-over, Dan Brown’s book simply doesn’t lend itself to being shredded for film work, sadly this is true.

Now, does the DVD presentation stack up to the hype the film garnered?  Much like the conspiracy theory nature of the written story- to me, there’s a grey area there…

The package contents have its merits- one of which is that it’s a 2-disc set that allows for specific viewing of the film or the special content without ‘difficult’ navigation.  Also, the various extra features are many and varied and adds roughly 90 minutes to the viewer’s enjoyment.  The picture quality and sound are impeccable.

Unfortunately, the content of the DVDs does have its demerits.

First off- for the neophyte, there’s no Easter Eggs.  For a film that is an extension of socio-religious intrigue and conspiracy, there was evidently no plan to include hidden items peppered within the “cryptex” world of the film or the Extra Features.

2nd- no Director’s commentary.  I actually enjoy spirited commentary from the director or a chosen set of actors concerning “insider” information on a given scene or action sequence. Not having it here is not terribly “traumatic” to me but I wonder what we’d have learned from Ron Howard or perhaps Tom Hanks.

In no particular order, here’s a spirited run-down of the facts concerning the DVD compilation and a note, either pro or con related to anything specific:

Disc One:

• Film
• Set-up
• Closed Caption capable
• Subtitled in Spanish, French, English
• Scene Selection
• This critique offering was in “Full Screen” [1:33:1]- it is also available in anamorphic wide-screen

Disc Two:  Special Features- this now breaks down into sub categories

• “First Day on the Set With Ron Howard”
• “A Discussion with Dan Brown”
• “Who is Sophie Nevue?”
• “Usual Suspects”
• “Magic Places”
• “Close Up of Mona Lisa”
• “The Codes of the Da Vinci Code”
• “The Music of the Da Vinci Code”
• “A Film Maker’s Journey- One”
• “A Film Maker’s Journey- Two”
• “Uncover the Hidden Symbols…” Game demo

Navigation through either of the two DVDs was easy and very straightforward.

It would have been a nice touch to have the title of each selection “cryptex” and once selected, would change into readable English.

The background “wallpaper” within each selection screen though interesting gets really old really fast as there seems to be little- if any- deviation from one screen to the next.

Even without a Director’s Commentary, the extras DVD still offers a very nice variety of behind-the-scenes commentary but looses a certain flare for impromptu “inclusion” since most of the material comes off as a “hoorah” cheerleading sales pitch and not into the process or trappings of how/why the film came to be

For those of us that do almost everything with our Apple Macs- sorry gang, the game does not function on a Mac.  A great many films are edited and graphically compiled on Macs [no information at the time of this article tells me The Da Vinci Code was one of those] but when it comes down to usable content at a demo or web interface, this is getting downright digitally bigoted.

I hate “1 to 10” rating systems, and if I get a chance to meet them, I’ll stick one of my “two thumbs” into somebody’s eye. Flanking a film with some arbitrary rating doesn't do it justice in my mind- if you offer up a movie for viewing, it should be on your word- not some score that you can "blame" in the event no one else agrees.

I prefer to call ‘em as I sees ‘em and in this instance, from a technical aspect this DVD 2-pac, though it had the opportunity to shine as it’s very own “cryptex” devise, offers nothing new or intuitive.  So if you're stomping into your local videodrome to see what makes this DVD package special you're likely to be disappointed.  In my humble opinion [?!] it's strictly designed to get the rental viewer immediately into the feature- little else.

Now- as a feature film to simply watch and enjoy; you’ll not be disappointed- it really is a fun film ‘ride’ if you’re into subterfuge and intrigue; no matter the plot holes along the way.