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Here’s one internet theologian’s snarky take on The Da Vinci Code book/film juggernaut in Q&A form. Quite Wittenburg Door-worthy!

Yup, it’s from the same guy who gave us the cheat sheet on modern Christianity.

WARNING: Some spoilers ahead

I saw The Da Vinci Code last night with my co-workers (free for all of us - thanks, boss!). I liked it. I’m puzzled why it got such a low Tomato Meter rating of 17%. That’s like Deuce Bigalow territory. I mean a lot of reviewers thought it was bad. I could say, in keeping with the spirit of the movie, that it’s a conspiracy! The Opus Dei used their long reach and influence to coerce film critics in giving it a bad review!

But seriously, I’m thinking the reviewers, especially the ones who read the novel, had such high expectations that the movie just fell short. I guess that happens. I haven’t read the novel myself and maybe that’s good. I bought the paperback book for $4.95 at Costco last week but I haven’t had the time to read it. As a mystery movie, it was decently made. As for the controversial claims made in the book, yes, they were all there (or so I’m told by a co-worker who’s a big Dan Brown fan). But you know what? The claims were made by a character who turned out to be a nut job. So the feeling I got, and I’m thinking others did too, is why believe this guy? In addition, the protagonist lecturer played by Tom Hanks was presented as the level-headed one who somewhat countered the outlandish claims made by this person.

The main complaint of movie critics is that the movie was tedious and too long. To me, Audrey Tautou’s pretty countenance sure made it easier to bear. As for Tom Hanks, doesn’t he resemble Kyle MacLachlan in In Justice?

Although I haven’t read the book, I have a feeling Ron Howard did the best he could in adapting the book to film. He used enough cinematic devices to move the film along. It would’ve been better fitting if Oliver Stone directed the movie though. He’s no stranger to putting forward conspiracy theories. And if his film tanks, he could always blame the fundies.

… the novel has provoked unprecedented protest from serious scholars. First, it was Roman Catholic and Protestant conservatives, protesting that Brown’s characters inaccurately malign Christianity. Now, more liberal thinkers likewise say Brown’s claim to present facts through fiction is itself fictional and misleads readers.

“What I like about The Da Vinci Code is not so much the story (in fact, the story was just run-of-the-mill), but how it shows that Christianity as we know it today was really only concocted by men in the third and fourth centuries.”

This statement by an acquaintance of mine made me realize just how much this work of fiction is impacting credulous readers eager to discount the historicity of the Christian faith. Brownpau last month posted an excellent set of links pointing to the Christian response to this growing fascination for gnostic writings. Ever-vigilant Paulo posted more relevant links today. I’d like to contribute this link to an audio discussion (check out the Nov. 30, 2003 broadcast) from STR.org.

Update (01.06.05): More liberal thinkers likewise say Brown’s claim to present facts through fiction is itself fictional and misleads readers.