The new Ron Howard film, "The Da Vinci Code" is based on the best-selling novel by author Dan Brown.

The film follows Harvard Symbologist Robert Langdon, played by Tom Hanks, who is on a book signing tour in Paris when one night he is requested by the French police to help uncover the mystery in the Louve of a murdered priest Jaques Sauniere.

Langdon meets with Police Officer Bizu Fache, played by Jean Reno, and questions Langdon on the mysterious way Sauniere handled himself during the last moments of his life after he was shot.

Langdon and Fache are joined by Police Cryptogist Sophie Neveu, played by Audrey Tautou. Sophie warns Langdon that he is being blamed for the murder. Langdon and Neveu team up to outrun the officials and discover the hidden meaning of Sauniere's message that involves artifacts that lead to the Holy Grail.

At the same time, Sauniere's murderer, an Albino Opus Dei Monk named Silas, played by Paul Bettany, is also looking for the information that can help save his religion and is doing anything by an means neccessary to get what he wants for the Opus Dei.

Langdon and Neveu soon join up with a fellow cryptologist, Sir Leigh Teabing to uncover the answers of the Holy Grail and to discover it's location.

Along the way on their journey there is betrayal, bloodshed, and secrets learned of both religion and liniage.

The film is a marvel and a joy. For those who read the book, they will be pleased that Ron Howard follows the story from the novel with a few tweaks here and there.

The story itself makes you question what is real and what isn't real. You can challenge it, debate it, or believe it. It is a wonderful film for all to see.

The Da Vinci Code is rated PG-13 for violence, nudity, drug use, and language.

My Review- 3 Lightsabers.