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Da Vinci Doesn`t Break the Code

Millions of people are waiting for Dan Brown`s best-selling novel`s adaptation for the big screen, but they might be very disappointed, as for now the highly acclaimed film doesn`t seem to live up for the hype. After anxiously waiting for "The Da Vinci Code" premiere, Journalists gave the film a very cold reception following its first press screening on Tuesday. Stephen Schaefer of the Boston Herald was quoted saying, "Nothing really works. It`s not suspenseful. It`s not romantic. It`s certainly not fun."

The release of the big-budget Hollywood thriller has already prompted a wave of protests from Christians across the world who believe the theories put forward in the novel are blasphemous. One of the central characters suggests Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and they established a dynasty, which elements within the Church would stop at nothing to try to cover up. The outcry from religious groups in India, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States among others has made the film one of the most controversial releases since Mel Gibson`s "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004. The Vatican has led the offensive against The Da Vinci Code, calling for a boycott and even unspecified legal action against both the book and film.

While the protests have provided studio Sony Pictures with the kind of publicity money can`t buy, the reaction at the first press screening in Cannes was largely negative, and loud laughter broke out at one of the pivotal scenes.