Angels & Demons
How does every Dan Brown / Robert Langdon instalment social status from worst to good ? establish on the refreshing series compose by Brown , theRobert Langdonstories centre around Harvard symbologist ProfessorRobert Langdon ( Tom Hanks ) , hump for his in - depth noesis of ancient history and symbols , and his eidetic memory . His creator Brown ab initio devised Langdon ’s character as a fictional alter self-importance of himself , which later grew to encompass " the man he bid he could be " as Langdon ’s narration develops across the story serial .
Often found embroiled in adventure that are esoteric in nature , Langdon ’s journey is traced in his eponymous movie trilogy consisting ofThe Da Vinci Code , Angels & Demons , andInferno , as well as newcomer Peacock ’s 2021 prequel seriesThe Lost Symbol . The Da Vinci Code , despite its long time , stillemerges as the most controversial entry in the Langdon serial , owing in part to its central premise that involves a sacred descent created through the union of Jesus and Mary Magdalene . OtherLangdon installment in Brown ’s franchisehave included a plot to expel antimatter over the Vatican , as well as a real function of Hell , yet none have quite captured the intense societal furor of Robert Langdon ’s first on - concealment appearance .
Related : The Da Vinci Code Series In Chronological Order
Ranking all four Dan Brown / Robert Langdon installments , therefore , ( three movie and one telecasting serial publication ) is no small feat given the divisive nature of several of the titles list below . While box role success will not be considered a ingredient given the bias this creates in favor of Langdon ’s picture installments ; critical consensus certainly play a part in the current standing of each Dan Brown adaptation to date . Here ’s every Dan Brown / Robert Langdon installment that has been released so far , ranked .
4. The Lost Symbol (2021)
Peacock’sThe Lost Symbolis still newfangled on the fledgeling cyclosis service . Despite much privacy smother its unfurling premise , The Lost Symbolfollows the other adventure of a new Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon , who finds himself pull into a serial publication of pernicious puzzles when his mentor is kidnapped . The CIA force Langdon onto a task force where he uncovers a chilling conspiracy require deadly puzzles that link up to the aforementioned disappearance of his beloved wise man .
The Lost Symbolhas but fail to bewitch the conjuration of some of its novel - based predecessors . Nor has it beguile audience attention , for that issue , withThe Lost Symbol ’s purposedogged by pacing and narrative issues flop out of the gate . The Lost Symbol ’s fundamental fault so far is that its Congress of Racial Equality is still pushing Langdon ’s paradoxical character as the principal selling point of the series . DespiteThe lose Symbolaiming to redeem a fresh spirit at Robert Langdon , he still render as a man bucket along against the high of stake , but at the same tedious audiences with half - baked programme based on symbolization version . decisive consensus has been no kinder to date here , with this tardy Dan Brown adaptation brand as " bland " and contain " plane writing and foreign pace " which serves to undermine the potential religious mysticism of a first Langdon tale since 2016 .
3. Inferno (2016)
base on the eponymous Dan Brown novel,2016 box office bombInfernochronicles Langdon ’s exploits in Florence , Italy , where he finds himself have from inadequate - term amnesia and diabolic visions . While being plagued by assassinator and government agents , Langdon is rescued by Dr. Sienna Brooks ( Felicity Jones ) , and the duo endeavour to navigate a maze of hint , false lead , and dead - ends . The game is heavily centered on Dante’sInferno , which service as a twisted inspiration for scientist Bertrand Zobrist ( Ben Foster ) , who wishes to annihilate entire populations with the aid of a atomic superweapon . While this might seem like a promising premise at first glance , Infernodoes not work due to multiple agent , the primal reason being the hackneyed and superficial portrayal of character that once held substantive potential .
Related : Dan Brown ’s The Lost Symbol - How Many Episodes ( & When The Finale Is )
Infernowas always condemn despite Felicity Jones ' presence as the third film in the Robert Langdon trilogy , with audiences and critics alike noticing a cooky - cutter pattern in all three motion picture at the clip of its release . While it is not necessarily unoriginal to trace a set itinerary for a central agonist , such as Joseph Campell’sThe Hero ’s Journey , Langdon ’s arc bear witness to be problematic to the point that his actions come off as empty and painfully clichéd . Due to this reason , along with lackluster storytelling and the absence seizure of genuine stakes , decisive reception toInfernowas irresistibly negatively charged , withRotten Tomatoessumming up the motion-picture show as “ mindlessly excited and all in all shallow . ” In essence , Infernofails to print , be it due to the lack of chemistry between the leads or the needlessly convoluted plot , construct it the weakest connexion in the trilogy .
2. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Much like the volume , Howard’sThe Da Vinci Codemovieattracted massive literary criticism , especially from the Catholic Church , who urged audiences to boycott the film . alike to all Robert Langdon narrative , the titular symbologist is contacted by the authorities in Paris , led by Inspector Fache ( Jean Reno ) , who informs him of the murder of Louvre museum conservator Jacques Saunière ( Jean - Pierre Marielle ) . After suffering a gunfire injury , Saunière surprisingly manages to conceal a safety gadget depositary paint , slip and arrange himself in the position of Leonardo Da Vinci’sThe Vitruvian Man , leaving a Fibonacci successiveness and a footer in his own ancestry to cryptologist Sophie Neveu ( Audrey Tautou ) . While the portion around Saunière ’s demise in the volume are as ridiculous and contrived as in thefilm , Solo ’s Ron Howardmanages to interpose kick within these nonsensical sequences , which imply a series of apparently startling revelations followed by tense chase scenes .
The two leads are pursued by dissent factions with covert intention , including the Opus Dei numerary Silas ( Paul Bettany ) , spur them to attempt tax shelter at the French chalet of Grail historian , Sir Leigh Teabing ( Sir Ian McKellen ) . The principal cast belts out acceptable performance within the tale framework offered to them , with an overdramatic , yet standout functioning by McKellen , who imbues Teabing with the right amount of flair and fanaticism . This , in conjunction with Hans Zimmer ’s ill score , lend an air of whodunit toThe Da Vinci Code , which fall through despite the plot ’s absurdly labyrinthian nature and often - unconvincing historic allusions .
1. Angels & Demons (2009)
Tom Hanks reprises the role of historywarrior Langdon inAngels & Demons , this time being summon by the Vatican to Rome due to a missing canister shot of anti - matter stolen from the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva . CERN scientist Vittoria Vetra ( Ayelet Zurer ) joins Langdon look for for a mysterious Illuminati terrorist , who kidnaps four of thepreferitirunning to be the new Pope , with Father McKenna ( Ewan McGregor ) , theCamerlengo , assuming irregular control of the Vatican . The narrative ofAngels & Demonsis a typical Dan Brown - Esque backwash against time , with the supporter needing to decipher cabalistic clues that hearken back to ancient cloak-and-dagger societies and custom . While jarring as the moving-picture show races from one historical fix to the next , the premise delivers a wildly entertaining result , withAngels & Demonsultimately harboring more substance than its other counterparts .
Related : Why Tom Hanks ’ The Lost Symbol Movie Was Cancelled ( & Became A TV Show )
Despite featuring animplausible Langdon - shape plotthat need a high-pitched dose of suspension of disbelief , Angels & Demonsreceived positive critical review by critics due to its tight - paced nature and balanced rescue of major plot points . Director Ron Howard use exotic location such as the inside of the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon to the film ’s vantage , providing a stunning backdrop for the action to spread out . Angels and Demons ’ merit lies in the fact that the cast seems greatly committed to Howard ’s visual sensation , slightly lift the plastic film above its controversial predecessor , The Da Vinci Code . While some might argue that these parameter are not quite enough to promote a film to excellence , Angels & Demons , despite its shortcomings , remains the best entry in theRobert Langdonnarrative series to date .
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