Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this more than once? Nah.
Score: 4.0/5
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 121 minutes (~2 hours)
“Inferno” is a mystery adventure film that’s the third in the series of films about Robert Langdon, a symbology professor who sees a lot of adventure for some odd reason. It’s based on the book of the same name, and sees an amnesiac Robert Langdon waking up to find himself being chased by multiple organisations. He must avoid his captors while figuring out what exactly he forgot – and why that information is so valuable. The movie stars Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon), Felicity Jones (Dr Sienna Brooks), Omar Sy (Christoph Bouchard), Ben Foster (Bertrand Zobrist), Sidse Babett Knudsen (Elizabeth Sinskey), and Irrfan Khan (Harry Sims).
4.0? I know, I know, it’s just another Dan Brown movie. How good can it get? Robert Langdon solves mysteries based on famous historical pieces of art and uncovers secrets of famous men. But “Inferno” blew me away by rising past the standard stereotypes and imbuing the film with well-rounded characters and fast-paced plot beats. It’s probably the most underrated movie of the year, and my only regret is not watching it earlier (and giving it a review that would do it justice).
It’s “The Da Vinci Code” meets “The Hangover” in a wonderful fusion of the best of both movies.
Highlights
Multiple misdirections
The film leads you through many twists and turns, revealing information and motivations about characters at the choicest of moments for maximum impact. Foes and friends trade places quickly and easily, leaving you uncertain of Robert Langdon’s allies. The cherry on top is the splendid twist in the tale, which leaves you breathless and reeling from the consequences. The action comes fast and furious, and good old Robert Langdon sees way too much physical activity for a professor.
Sense of adventure
If you look at it objectively, all they’re really doing is running around museums and tourist traps. Yet the movie weaves all the visits into one rousing adventure, making it seem like the characters are suddenly privy to ancient, buried secrets. They move from set piece to set piece, running through ceilings and crawling through crypts. If you thought there was no adventure left in our contemporary, urban world, then “Inferno” will teach you otherwise.
Subtle characterisation
“Inferno” also manages to flesh out the characters without making it about some big redemption character arc or a grand gesture of love. Instead, it focuses on the little things, like friendships and lost loves. Bonds are forged and then broken, and in the end it’s the interplay of human relationships that give “Inferno” its surprising emotional resonance.
Epic stakes
And to highlight the importance of Robert Langdon’s task, we have stakes that can’t be raised any higher (which also makes me wonder what the next book will be about). Yes, nothing less than the world is at stake here, which is fitting given the title and theme of the movie. And it’s amazing how Robert Langdon got dragged into this.
Letdowns
Security and cleaning services are strangely incompetent
Oddly, despite being famous landmarks, the Palazzo Vecchio has worthless security, and the Basilica Cistern lacks cleaning services. These are for plot purposes, of course, but they are very gaping loopholes in what is otherwise a fine adventure. Robert Langdon would make a fortune doing security and cleaning services.
“Inferno” combines the best elements of history and adventure.
“Inferno” opens in cinemas:
– 13 October, 2016 (Singapore)
– 27 October, 2016 (Malaysia)
– 12 October, 2016 (Philippines)
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If they followed the book (how I wish), the ending would be different.