INFERNO: FOLLOWING DANTE

Author Dan Brown has made a tidy sum for himself writing mystery thrillers that are well worth taking the time to read. His plots rely not just on the mystery currently being solved but delve into the past, more often historical or culturally related, to offer a depth to the story many never bother with. Beginning with THE DA VINCI CODE he introduced us to Robert Langdon, a Symbologist (the study of symbols and symbolism) and professor who finds himself the center of a manhunt for a murderer. The symbol involved here was the Holy Grail. Up next was ANGELS AND DEMONS which found Langdon searching for 3 vials located in Vatican City that could spread a plague. Both of these were turned into films starring Tom Hanks as Langdon and have recently been released in 4k version, the highest quality available today.

This week Hanks reprises the role of Langdon in the next story from Brown, INFERNO. As you may have guessed the historical phase this time revolves around Dante and the first part of his poem DIVINE COMEDY, more often simply referred to as Dante’s Inferno. Langdon wakes in a hospital room handcuffed to the bed and unable to recall much of anything. Talking to his doctor, Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), he learns he is in Florence, Italy. It doesn’t take long until he realizes he’s a target as well when an assassin dressed as a police officer shows up guns blazing. With the help of Brooks, Langdon escapes.

At her apartment the two begin to go through the items Langdon had on him when he checked into the hospital, items Brooks picked up before leaving. Among them he finds a Faraday pointer, a sort of image projector. The image it shows is the maps of Hell as described by Dante and pained by Botticelli. Various clues placed among the picture lead them to realize that this was sent to him by a billionaire named Zobrist (Ben Foster) who we saw leap to his death after a chase in the opening sequence of the film. A warning of a plague virus is there as well and Langdon and Brooks are off and running trying to find it before it can be unleashed.

Right behind them are members of WHO, the World Health Organization. They too are trying to figure out just what is going on and to prevent the virus from being unleashed. In addition to their search for Langdon and the virus the assassin continues to pursue him along with a few assist from others.

Using the map as a guide Langdon and Brooks travel through the streets of the city to various historical locations in an attempt to decipher the message left for him. It will take them down the back streets of the city, beneath it and into open areas where a well-placed bullet could mean the end for Langdon and the world.

As with the previous entries in this film there is a mixture of real and created history on display here that helps to enhance the central story of stopping the virus before it can be released. The back and forth from the historical images of Hell and the pains involved there with the possibility of a worldwide crisis just make the suspense more intense. The clues left behind to be deciphered and only readable by Langdon make his character indispensable. After 3 films we’ve grown to like this character, to care about him and to sit clutching the arm rest of our chairs as each step puts him in potential danger.

At the same time there is a nobility to the character. This isn’t his battle, it rarely is, and yet he finds himself in harm’s way with no means of escape other than to solve the mystery. But even with that as his reason to be involved you get the impression that to save others he would gladly take on the role of hero. What makes him interesting is that he isn’t the muscle bound type or the swaggering wisecracking hero we’re used to. Instead we are treated to a hero who uses his mind to find the solution to his problems.

Hanks has performed the role to the point I can’t imagine anyone else playing Langdon now. Having read all the books I can say that he is a perfect fit for this role. I said a few weeks back writing about SULLY that Hanks is one of the greats when it comes to the world of acting. He does what the best do which is make you forget that you’re watching someone act and believe that he is the character he is portraying. Jones does an equally fine job here, not an easy task when you consider she’s performing next to Hanks. Her star is on the rise, especially when you couple this film with her turn in STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE.

If you like mysteries that make you think and pay attention as they take you on the journey then you won’t want to miss this one. It didn’t do near the box office that the first two did and honestly might not be quite as good as those two, but it still offers an evening’s entertainment well worth the price of rental or even purchase. It’s a film that you’ll be able to go back and watch more than once and that’s saying something. A marathon of all three films might make for a fun weekend.

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