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Angels and Demons: A Movie Review
Who are the angels? Who are the demons? Which sides will you take?
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This is the movie adaptation of the famous book of Dan Brown, Angels and Demons, which is directed by Ron Howard. He also directed the movie adaptation of The Da Vinci Code from the same author. We are all thrilled with their works except for the religious organizations who are more concerned of the faith of their members.
In my own opinion, these are just fiction novels created by the imaginative author. If we have strong conviction in our Christian or Catholic faith, therefore our consciousness will not be shaken.
Summary:
It was started with the death of the Pope and the discovery of the Vatican researchers and scientists of antimatter. Antimatter is a substance that would explode the whole Vatican population. The antimatter was stolen and followed by the kidnapped of the four pillars or cardinals of the Church. At 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Roman time, these four cardinals are about to die.
Robert Langdon was summoned by the Vatican officials to solve the mystery of the rise of the Illuminati. The Illuminati is the former bitter opponent of the Church, also called the free thinkers. Great Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is also an expert on his research about Illuminati. He and Vittoria, one of the great researchers and scientists who discovered the antimatter, are about to solve this case and save the four cardinals from the suspected kidnappers, the Illuminati.
I remembered in the first part of the movie series The Da Vinci Code, Robert Langdon experience great dangers in solving the case of the descendants of Jesus Christ with Mary Magdalene. In this second part of the movie series, his life is also in danger and his mental skills in finding clues will be challenged.
First, Robert Langdon initiate to find Galileo’s famous text and he discovered Rafael’s symbol and hidden message in Galileo’s text. He and Vittoria thought there is a clue in Rafael’s tomb. But, they were lead to Bernini’s sculptures which can be lead to a church called Cathedral of Earth wherein they can find the first cardinal. Unfortunately, they found his dead body eaten by rats.
The second clue is on the St. Peter Square leaded by the Bernini’s sculptures. The carvings on the ground would lead them to another clue where they could find the second cardinal who is about to die. A little girl discovered the cardinal who is suffering in massive bleeding. Then, Robert Langdon and Vittoria are about to save that cardinal but they are too late for that. He also has the statement written on paper which Robert Langdon discovered about the Holy Father’s mysterious death. In his sworn statement, the Holy Father was overdosed by a drug. On the other hand, the election of the new Pope still continues.
The third clue is Santa Maria Gala de Vittoria. Robert Langdon went there to save the third cardinal who is about to be burnt to death but they are too late. They are about to save the cardinal when shooting of guns started by the kidnapper. On the other hand, Vittoria’s journals and other documents were stolen when she and Camerlengo went to see the decayed body of the Holy Father to prove that Holy Father is overdosed of a drug.
Camerlengo’s identity is very mysterious. He was adopted by the deceased Pope when he was a kid. He joined the air force and was influenced with the knowledge of science. But, he was still appointed in Vatican to assist the Holy Father even he is considered to be a free thinker because he is closely related to the Holy Father.
The fourth clue is Piazza Novana or the Four Fountains of Rivers. Robert Langdon went there even he was summoned by the Commander Rictor, head of the Swiss Guards. Fortunately, he saved the fourth cardinal from drowning with the help of the volunteers around the Piazza Novanna. I think there are angels guiding us through. He asked the fourth cardinal the location of the church of Illuminati. Then, the fourth cardinal replied it is located in Castle of the Angels. Robert Langdon and Vittoria went there because they thought they could find the antimatter but they found the hide-out of the kidnapper.
After that, they both went to Camerlengo office because they have doubt that he is behind in all of this but Camerlengo is quite witty. He make them believed that Commander Rictor is an assassin and one of the Illuminati. The fifth clue is the upside down Pope’s symbol or brass keys which is lead to St. Peter Basilica. In St. Peter Basilica, they found the antimatter. They only have four minutes left, and it is ready to explode. Camerlengo did a heroic job with his tactic in military skills. He appeared to the Vatican people that he saved them from the great explosion. Then, the other cardinals decided to elect him as the new Pope.
On the other hand, Robert Langdon found the a device for the surveillance camera from Commander Rictor. Then, he and Vittoria discovered that their instinct is true. Camerlengo is the one who killed the deceased Pope and he kidnapped the four pillars of the Church. On the other hand, before the Swiss guard could arrest him, he took his own life by burning himself to death.
Comments:
Yes, this is a fiction novel and there are quite many symbols of interpretation can be found here. First, we can describe Robert Langdon as an academic but not too religious like many one of us. As his motto described, “To see is to believe.” Some of us like the free thinker Camerlengo. Like the old folks said, “Too many knowledge can destroy you.” Camerlengo can be the lost soul in his own faith. That is what I can say.
Angels are everywhere. We can be angels or messengers of God because God can use anybody to extend his grace and mercy to others.
Good piece .