Angels & Demons (2009)

This 2009 follow-up to The Da Vinci Code (2006) again stars Tom Hanks as novelist Dan Brown’s symbologist extraordinaire, Robert Langdon. Once more directed by Ron Howard, this film rises well above its poorly helmed, flatly acted predecessor, which had its edges softened for a mass audience. Here, Mr. Howard’s direction feels crisp, and Mr. Hank’s does a good job with his lead role. Several of the supporting cast, including Ewan McGregor and Armin Mueller-Stahl, are also solid. This isn’t high art, and it occasionally flies over the top, but it makes for a decent ride.

**⅞ (out of *****)

©2023 David R. George III

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2009 • 2 HOURS, 18 MINUTES
COLUMBIA PICTURES • IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT • SKYLARK PRODUCTIONS • PANORAMA FILMS

STARRING
• TOM HANKS

ALSO STARRING
• EWAN MCGREGOR, AYELET ZURER, STELLAN SKARSGÅRD, PIERFRANCESO FAVINO, NIKOLAJ LIE KAAS, ARMIN MUELLER-STAHL

WRITTEN BY
• DAVID KOEPP AND AKIVA GOLDSMAN (WRITTEN BY)
• DAN BROWN (BASED ON THE NOVEL BY)

DIRECTED BY
• RON HOWARD

NO 2019 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS