Much like John Grisham’s novels tend to be similar, so are Dan Brown’s and to say that “Angels & Demons” is a better book than “The Da Vinci Code” isn’t saying much about either work. They’re quick reads, the kind of novel you chew into during a commute, one that you can put down and pick-up at any time, maybe even dozing off a bit between readings, skipping a few pages and paragraphs and still know everything that’s going on. I don’t care much for Brown’s writing but I do like some of the concepts he makes use of and it was those concepts that I was excited to see on the big screen when Ron Howard and company released The Da Vinci Code. Unfortunately, the film was a huge failure and aside from the locations and a great performance from Paul Bettany, the film was quickly passed over.

For one reason or another, Howard and Hanks have decided that they’re not done with Brown’s novels and now we have a first look at a second adaptation: Angels & Demons. In the timeline of protagonist Robert Langdon, this story comes before that of The Da Vinci Code though it hardly matters as the stories have little in common aside from sharing the central character, a conspiracy and religious overtones (so almost everything). This time Langdon tries to stop the Illuminati from destroying Vatican City. Hanks is reprising his role as Langdon (thankfully it looks like his hair is back under control) who prounces around with a female counterpart, this time played by Ayelet Zurer and along for the ride are Ewan McGregor and Stellan Skarsgård in supporting roles.

A teaser trailer has appeared online and rather unsurprisingly it’s pretty bland. It’s dark, melodramatic, choppy and gives you nothing of the story, which is fine for a teaser, but it’s still likely to capture the attention of conspiracy theorists and Hanks fans. If nothing else, this film should (as the first film did) feature some great locations shots but that’s simply not enough to keep anyone entertained for a film’s running time. I’m curious to see if this does any better than the first one.

Angels & Demons opens on May 15th.

Trailer is tucked under the seat!