After a seven year hiatus, Tom Hanks and Ron Howard have both returned to the Robert Langdon universe created by author Dan Brown. They’ve skipped over the third novel of the series but since there isn’t much carry over from novel to novel, it doesn’t make much of a difference. The big question burning in everyone’s mind isn’t if fans are ready for more puzzles and twists and turns to play out on the big screen, but rather is another sequel in this universe even wanted in the first place.
Inferno’s plot is pretty basic, and sounds more like something James Bond would take care of than something Robert Langdon should be investigating. A madman has decided to wipe out a large percentage of the world’s population with a designer virus, but before he can see his plans come to fruition he’s killed. He was prepared for that very possibility however, and for his followers he’s left behind a series of clues as to the whereabouts of the virus so that they may stop anyone from preventing the virus from being deployed. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is one such person trying to find the virus, but there’s a problem. At the start of film he wakes up in a hospital with a severe case of amnesia. He’s forced to play catch-up with his memories, at the same time as trying to save the world. Thankfully he’s got a young, prodigy doctor (Felicity Jones) along to help him on both accounts.
The film starts with a bang, and the intensity never slows down. Unfortunately part of the reason for that may be that if it does slow down, you might start to think about what you are watching on the big screen. The story itself is pretty laughable, and because of that you never really feel as if there is any sort of danger to the characters or their world. Other than having to decipher clues based on Dante’s Inferno, Robert Langdon’s role has changed into more of a super spy like James Bond than a symbologist. He looks out of place playing the role, and really shouldn’t be the one trying to find the virus in the first place. Still, if you suspend your disbelief on what you are watching, you will find yourself entertained. It’s got some great action sequences, which can make for an enjoyable movie going experience. If you’ve read the book you will notice a few changes, including the ending, so don’t go in expecting to see the same thing you’ve read.
Popcorn movies are called such because you go in with no expectations, and enjoy the movie for what it is. That’s basically what Inferno is. Unlike the previous films in the series where you had to use your brain at least a little bit, Inferno doesn’t have many requirements other than to sit there and enjoy it.
