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DaVinci Code vs. National Treasure

WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Ok, now that both movies have been released....many people, after seeing National Treasure, stated that it was along the same lines of the DaVinci Code story. (Everyday symbols and pictures that contain a deeper meaning that were used to solve a "puzzle").

Not counting the book...but basing this solely on the movie "DaVinci Code", which do you prefer?

Here is my take on it.

DaVinci Code had a better "story" to it...and the meaning was deeper...but as an overall movie...the "rewatchability" factor is far higher in National Treasure.

So, I would say that National Treasure is more successful as a movie. (But not necessarily the story).
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
National Treasure AS A MOVIE, is better than The Da Vinci Code.

However, I find it impossible to count out the book, since without the book, there would be no movie.

I think the story of The Da Vinci code is better than that of National Treasure, but it isn't conveyed well in the film. In order to get the full story, the book needs to be read.

So, as far as the films go, I think National Treasure is superior.
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
Connor002 said:
I knew I would not be the only one to compare the two...
Click to expand...

I did it too :lol:

As I was reading the book, I couldn't help but think how alike they were in their progression.
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
People are ripping this movie apart...and, after seeing it, I dont' know why.

This is a MOVIE ADAPTATION of the book. As a movie it's not bad...but as an ADAPTATION it is. If people haven't read the book...and go to see this movie, they will walk out liking it (for the most part). It's the people who have read the book and are disappointed the way that it was portrayed on film that are ripping it.

As a stand alone movie...I would give it a 7 out of 10. As an adaptation I'd give it 5.5. Taking a critics review as gospel on a film like this is probably not the way to go. Know that, if you've read the book and really enjoyed it, you'll probably be disappointed...but if you haven't, then you may be pleasantly surprised.
 
DisneyJill

DisneyJill

Well-Known Member
WDWFREAK53 said:
People are ripping this movie apart...and, after seeing it, I dont' know why.

This is a MOVIE ADAPTATION of the book. As a movie it's not bad...but as an ADAPTATION it is. If people haven't read the book...and go to see this movie, they will walk out liking it (for the most part). It's the people who have read the book and are disappointed the way that it was portrayed on film that are ripping it.

As a stand alone movie...I would give it a 7 out of 10. As an adaptation I'd give it 5.5. Taking a critics review as gospel on a film like this is probably not the way to go. Know that, if you've read the book and really enjoyed it, you'll probably be disappointed...but if you haven't, then you may be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...

This is a hard book to translate FULLY onto the big screen, I think. It was a meticulously detailed book-obviously it's not going to all be found in the movie. Were there details there, in the sets, in the comments made, etc...? Sure. Will people catch every one of them? No. The movie was 2 hours and 29 minutes. In order to capture every detail on each of the books like 445 pages, the movie could have been 5 hours! :lol:

Just saying. I thought it was as well done as it could have been, given the length of the book and and amount of detail found in those pages. But I read the book. Twice. So I knew what was going on the entire time, so maybe my opinion doesn't count. :lookaroun
 
Shaman

Shaman

Well-Known Member
I thought the movie was better than the book, it's flaws are the book's flaws. But I think Howard, did the best he could. In my opinion, National Treasure, though somewhat boring was a bit better.
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yes, this movie barely pushed it to the 2 1/2 hour mark. I think, given another 45 minutes to go more in depth with some of the characters, it could've been right where the "book lovers" were expecting it to be.
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
:lol:

That being said, X3 should be amazing...but will it be enough to push the Code out of the #1 spot?

(Hehe, I'll be going to the movies twice this weekend...Saturday night for X3...but Saturday morning because my local theater is playing SECRET OF THE SWORD!!! Hehe, yes, the He-Man and She-Ra full length animated movie from the 80's )
 
TAC

TAC

New Member
Does anyone else feel that it is ironic that people are "up in arms" about a fictional movie that is based on a fictional book, about a fictional event ?
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
TAC said:
Does anyone else feel that it is ironic that people "up in arms" about a fictional movie that comes from a fictional book, about a fictional event ?
Click to expand...

Well, I don't want this to turn into a religious thread...but, yes, it's a little funny because this book could possibly be found next to Harry Potter and Jurassic Park in the Fiction section :)
 
prberk

prberk

Well-Known Member
TAC said:
Does anyone else feel that it is ironic that people are "up in arms" about a fictional movie that is based on a fictional book, about a fictional event ?
Click to expand...

The problem is not that it is fiction; it is that the book presented certain things outright as "FACT"s -- using that word, even though many were disputed or fictional "facts." And these "facts" were written in way that made them hard to separate from actual truth (such as the names of the people involved, and the names of institutions).

A fantasy novel or book may look real, but is far enough removed from real counterparts not be confusing. But most "novels" that have "facts" listed as such usually have a fictional plot built around real facts.

This blurring of fact and fiction, especially with strong assertions about deceipt by real people, has caused the controversy. And don't forget that at least one organization asked Ron Howard and the producers to put a disclaimer in the beginning of the film to say that it was fictional, and he declined.

You have to think of the difference between (1) a novel with all made-up characters (and perhaps a few TRUE facts about institutions involved, including institutions to which you are involved); and (2) a novel that asserts certain "facts" about you and your friends (calling you by name), most of which were made up and some that imply that you lied.

Number 2 is a work of FICTION, but it would probably upset you.

I am just trying to help you see the issue, and why it does matter to some when a work of fiction states plain "facts" that are actually theory or even untruths and sound real.

Anyhow, as for the two movies: This likeness is not a surprise to me. I think that "National Treasure" was made exactly because it was similar to "The daVinci Code," but family-friendly and a lot cheaper to make (since they didn't need the book rights or all the pressure).

Paul
 
TAC

TAC

New Member
Ok, that is fair. The Catholic Church is upset because it throws dirt on them. Unfortunately, it is their turn "in the barrel." I remember when Rising Sun came out in the movies, and in the movie, the Japanese were shown to be "not of the highest regard." Of course it infuriated the Japanese.

Then again, with all the uproar that happens with some movies, most of the time that uproar backfires, and people who would not normally go and see a (the) movie go to see it, because... "..I wonder what the controversary is all about."


prberk said:
The problem is not that it is fiction; it is that the book presented certain things outright as "FACT"s -- using that word, even though many were disputed or fictional "facts." And these "facts" were written in way that made them hard to separate from actual truth (such as the names of the people involved, and the names of institutions).

A fantasy novel or book may look real, but is far enough removed from real counterparts not be confusing. But most "novels" that have "facts" listed as such usually have a fictional plot built around real facts.

This blurring of fact and fiction, especially with strong assertions about deceipt by real people, has caused the controversy. And don't forget that at least one organization asked Ron Howard and the producers to put a disclaimer in the beginning of the film to say that it was fictional, and he declined.

You have to think of the difference between (1) a novel with all made-up characters (and perhaps a few TRUE facts about institutions involved, including institutions to which you are involved); and (2) a novel that asserts certain "facts" about you and your friends (calling you by name), most of which were made up and some that imply that you lied.

Number 2 is a work of FICTION, but it would probably upset you.

I am just trying to help you see the issue, and why it does matter to some when a work of fiction states plain "facts" that are actually theory or even untruths and sound real.

Anyhow, as for the two movies: This likeness is not a surprise to me. I think that "National Treasure" was made exactly because it was similar to "The daVinci Code," but family-friendly and a lot cheaper to make (since they didn't need the book rights or all the pressure).

Paul
Click to expand...
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
TAC said:
Then again, with all the uproar that happens with some movies, most of the time that uproar backfires, and people who would not normally go and see a (the) movie go to see it, because... "..I wonder what the controversary is all about."
Click to expand...

And then they end up liking it :lol:
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Well, who is to say anything is FACT when it comes to any religion? Beliefs and facts are two different things. Nobody's religious beliefs are wrong...so, if nobody's are wrong, how can anybody's be right?

1. A bicycle has two tires.
2. Jesus turned water into wine.

The first one can be proven as fact. The second can not be proven as fact but does not necessarily mean that it's fiction either. But, at the same time, if it can't be proven as fact...and many people believe it...it becomes a "Strong belief."

Being that it's just a "belief"...there will be people who will argue the "belief" to those that think it is a fact. It's really just a bad cycle where nobody can say who is right and who is wrong...it's kind of a great thing about religions.

So, there will be people that believe the DaVinci Code just because it gives them a basis to an argument that will try to prove the "belief" wrong. There will be people outraged by the DaVinci Code because they see it as it calling them liars (like stated above). Then there will be the people that just read the book or watch the movie for entertainment purposes which is what it was solely designed for.
 
DisneyJill

DisneyJill

Well-Known Member
WDWFREAK53 said:
:lol:

That being said, X3 should be amazing...but will it be enough to push the Code out of the #1 spot?

(Hehe, I'll be going to the movies twice this weekend...Saturday night for X3...but Saturday morning because my local theater is playing SECRET OF THE SWORD!!! Hehe, yes, the He-Man and She-Ra full length animated movie from the 80's )
Click to expand...


Oh. My. Gosh.

I NEED to see that on the big screen! My VHS purchased from eBay doesn't do it justice. :lookaroun
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DisneyJill said:
:sohappy: OMG!!!!!!!!!:sohappy:

It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine.
Click to expand...

...and since Secret of the Sword is really the first episode of She-Ra Princess of Power...it will be in the set. (It was...the "pilot" if you will).

This set is just the "Best Of"...Season One Vol. One and Season One Vol. Two will follow.
 
DisneyJill

DisneyJill

Well-Known Member
WDWFREAK53 said:
...and since Secret of the Sword is really the first episode of She-Ra Princess of Power...it will be in the set. (It was...the "pilot" if you will).

This set is just the "Best Of"...Season One Vol. One and Season One Vol. Two will follow.
Click to expand...


Oh, I will. :lookaroun


You are just a fountain of She-Ra info. :lol:
 

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