'Inferno' is the third film adaptation of Dan Brown’s novels after ‘Davinci Code’ and ‘Angels and Demons’ that once again brings together actor Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard to give a cerebral thriller that engages the viewer the majority of the time.
The film opens with a madman billionaire Zobrist (Ben Foster) apprehended by a special agent (Omar Sy) on a high tower in Florence, who jumps to his death without revealing the secret trial to a virus that he has planted somewhere which will wipe out half the world’s population. A severely injured Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) wakes up in a hospital in an amnesiac state suffering from nightmarish visions not knowing how he even came to Florence. The paramedic Sienna (Felicity Jones) helps him escape as a policewoman comes in trying to kill the professor. There is also Sims (Irrfan Khan) the head of a secret shady organization and Elizabeth Sinskey (Sidse Babett Knudsen) the head of World Health Organization who want a piece of the fleeing duo. From there on the rollercoaster ride begins with Hanks and Jones hopping around Europe while the former tries to piece together the riddle left by Foster through the poems of Dante to prevent the terrible catastrophe.
Tom Hanks’ worldwide hit ‘Sully' is still playing in the neighboring screens and his follow up ‘Inferno’ is sure to raise his stock even higher. After the first two films playing Robert Langdon should be like wearing his favorite suit and it shows on screen. It is Felicity Jones as Sienna Brooks who steals the show, with her perfect body language displays a childlike curiosity in her eyes as every mystery unravels and then when the time comes to her transformation as a completely different person deserves kudos. Ben Foster (‘The Mechanic’) is known for playing quirky characters and with very little screen time makes a chilling impact. Our own Irrfan Khan adorns an air of nonchalance and is a delight as Simms who goes about quickly killing his opponents with clinical perfection and even quicker in changing sides according to the demands of the situation. Sidse Babett Knudsen as an old fame of Langdon and the head of WHO is adequate.
From word go the mystery grips us and director Ron Howard has skillfully manipulated the proceedings to sustain interest till the very end. The characters too are well written with none turning out to be what he or she seems to be with the major character reveal being quite interesting. Some good lines like "It is the tyrant mindset that believes in killing millions to save the planet" and "The most horrific killings are in the name love" raises goosebumps. The connection between the tragic love of Dante and Beatrice to Langdon and Sinkskey is also nicely woven. All the technical departments have put in a neat job.
On the downside ‘Inferno’ just follows the same pattern as the other two films and offers nothing new. Hanks and Jones escape from under tight security once too often and the ending for the latter’s character could have been more dramatic.
Verdict: Go for this brain over brawn thriller that will keep you guessing till the end
