Review of Inferno (2016) by Scott R — 28 Oct 2016

As a standalone movie, Inferno delivers on the promises in the Trailers.

We all know that Inferno is yet another Ron Howard adaptation of a Dan Brown / Robert Langdon novel, featuring Tom Hanks - #3 so far. Our hero uses his wits and encyclopedic knowledge to decipher a clue at Point-A then dash across Old Europe to Point-B, decipher another clue, rinse repeat to point C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and so on; with the art and architecture of Old Europe as backdrop. In the climax, barely alive solves the problem. A formula yes, but I know the formula and like it, so Big Popcorn and a drink please.

As with previous editions, there were plot changes from the book that don't ruin the story, but don't make it any better either.

So as part of the Robert Langdon universe, Inferno meets my expectations, but after day 1 of US release it seems to be falling short of Sony's box office hopes and reviewer tomatoes. Perhaps it was competition with the World Series, but if not we must ask how might it have been better?

For me, more camera time on the uncredited co-star of Robert Langdon novels - the amazing art and architecture of old Europe - would be a good start. I think it takes the audience some time to get into a protagonist who starts the story with half his brain out of service. Nothing to be done there, because that's how the book starts. Relying on the reader to already have affection for the protagonist works in books - in movies, less so.

I got my money's worth, but I don't think showing The Hagia Sophia for another 3 seconds on-screen is too much to ask.