After a bit of a scandal, we have Angels & Demons. Ironic, isn't it? Anyway, this is the David Koepp revision of the script for the upcoming film. I haven't read the book, myself, but I did see The DaVinci Code, so obviously reading the book isn't a requirement, though if you have, you can probably offer some insight on the translation.

The script is not posted online that we know of, but send me a PM with your email address, and I'll send you a pdf. If you requested it previously, you should have it in your email box. If you don't have it, then let me know and I'll resend.

For the flow on this discussion, we'll still start with first impressions, and once it appears that everyone is sufficiently through it, we'll move from topic to topic, but not at any kind of breakneck pace. You are not restricted to one topic if another topic helps to bolster what you're saying about another.

For instance, if your first impression was directly affect by the pacing or structure, then you don't have to hold back. The discussion will simply be guided in the order below.

We're starting with the first impressions, so consider that while reading it through. First impressions are important so I would like to know what your first impression was after reading. Something simple like, Good, Great, Boring, Slow, Exciting, Scary or whatever.
If you feel  the need to say more, as I said, go right on.

The discussion will flow in this order as a matter of moderation:
First impression
Story/structure/plot
Characterization/arc/journey
Dialogue
Writing
Commercial appeal

As the movie isn't out yet, we probably won't discuss the script to screen comparison. If you have downloaded a torrent of the movie, please don't let anyone know. It's still illegal.

Enjoy the read at the very least, and we'll see how this one goes.

I liked it.

Some things have been changed from the book, but I think it worked.

It's difficult to ignore the book when judging this script but I'll try.

First impression: Good, a little on the long side but good.

Several things have changed from the book but all necessary stuff I think. The opening has been shortened severely and in the book, Langdon is on the helicopter when the Carmalengo flies away with the antimatter. I particular welcomed that change cos' that ruined the book for me - it almost turned Langdon into 007.

I read the book.  And having just finished the script my first impressions are:

They tried to cram too much into this screenplay - they cut out a large amount from the book and even though they chose pretty wisely what to include, I still I worry that it will be a jumble on the screen like the Da Vinci code was.  

I also thought the pacing was slightly off in a few spots.    

I haven't read the book, so I have nothing to compare it to.  I have not read much yet, but first impression is that it's going to be 'heavy'.

Heavy is a good word to use, I think. Obviously, it helps if you're into the whole riddle-solving thing otherwise it can get quite cloggy - at best.

Sure this one is a little meatier than some of the other fluffier or flatter scripts we've read here. I would be concerned if it wasn't.

And who knows how long this will be on film? It might be 2 hrs or more.


You people are just not going to convince me this one is bad!  

I think it's going to be around 2½ hours, 2h 20m maybe.

You could cram it into < 2hours but you would lose a lot I think.

EDIT: Just checked IMDB and they're posting 140 min (don't know if that will hold up in the end).

Over half of this thing is people running and jumping.  The 140 minutes surprised me.  I figured it would be less.

Koepp is good writer.  He knows how to write action to time.  He gives you a 133 pages and you're going to pretty much hit around 133 minutes.

Quoted from Lakewood Over half of this thing is people running and jumping.  The 140 minutes surprised me.  I figured it would be a lot less.

Did you time it using the Steve Austin method?

chuh-chuh-chuh-chuh

cha-cha-cha-cha

wa-wa-wa-wa-wa

If only, all I heard were Tubular Bells and Tom Hank's hips creaking under the strain.

Quoted from Lakewood If only, all I heard were Tubular Bells and Tom Hank's hips creaking under the strain.

Hips creaking?  Nonsense.

Hm, copyright 1994... Maybe his hips creak more now than they did then.

I was really struck by how different this was from a spec script.

Other than that, it felt like it was done by the numbers (in a both a good and bad way).  Fairly standard Hollywood story.  Should make for an entertaining view, but nothing special.

That's all I've got for "first impression", I guess.

Never read the book.

Quoted from George Willson Hm, copyright 1994... Maybe his hips creak more now than they did then.

Tom Hanks is forever.