Inferno

Inferno, released in 2016, is an engaging mystery thriller that picks up as the third installment in Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series, following The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. Directed by Ron Howard, the film features Tom Hanks reprising his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, and co-starring alongside him are Felicity Jones as Dr. Sienna Brooks, Irrfan Khan as the enigmatic Harry Sims, Omar Sy, and Ben Foster.

As the film begins, audiences are drawn into a world of confusion and disorientation mirroring that of the protagonist, Robert Langdon. He wakes up in an Italian hospital in Florence with no memory of what transpired in the past few days. He does not remember why he is in Italy or how he ended up in the hospital. He soon finds himself plunged into a deeply intricate situation, as memories of a macabre event and hallucinatory visions torment his mind.

A young doctor, Sienna Brooks, initially helps Langdon recover, but their roles expand as they are both forcibly sucked into a dizzying vortex of codes, symbols, and a lethal bio-threat. Together, they must navigate the streets and landmarks of Europe, decipher complex historical puzzles, and stay ahead of a relentless enemy.

The film pivots around Dante Alighieri's monumental Divine Comedy. The plot cleverly bends Dante's concept of the Inferno, described in his epic as a fiery, torturous underworld, to serve as a cloaked code for a global threat. A disturbed billionaire, Bertrand Zobrist, adopts a warped Robin Hood-like mentality, aiming to solve the world's overpopulation crisis. His solution is drastic and terrifying, and it's a race against time for Langdon and Brooks to interpret clues, solve puzzles, and ultimately prevent global annihilation.

Throughout Inferno, Tom Hanks delivers a convincingly bewildered yet intellectually resolute Robert Langdon. His performance solidifies Langdon as a memorable protagonist, the charming scholar who uses his profound knowledge of symbols, art, history, and culture to solve high-stakes mysteries.

Felicity Jones as Sienna Brooks delivers a stellar performance as a strong, smart woman who, despite her initial confusion and apprehension about Langdon's world, becomes an ally with valuable insights of her own. Irrfan Khan, as Harry Sims, offers a nuanced performance, portraying a character who is not easily ascertainable as merely a villain or a hero.

The 2016 thriller maintains a steady momentum of suspense, using stunning visual effects and palatable tension to keep the movie-goer hooked. The European setting offers an aesthetically pleasing backdrop to the unfolding drama, with its beautiful historic architecture and winding ancient streets, adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Director Ron Howard's ability to translate the book into cinema is laudable, creating a film with fast-paced action sequences, emotionally charged confrontations, and surprising plot twists. The storyline is complex yet intriguing, requiring the audience to remain alert and involved. It's precisely the kind of cerebral action film that encourages viewers to ponder the clues and puzzles before the characters themselves have a chance to solve them.

That said, it is not just an adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride; the film invites reflection on pressing real-world issues, like the ethics of overpopulation and the perils of fanatical beliefs. These more profound subjects give the storyline a weighty relevancy beyond its entertainment value.

Inferno presents a thrilling cinematic experience that efficiently blends history, art, symbolism, and suspense amid a contemporary setting. The performances of Hanks, Jones, and Khan enhance the film's intrigue, delivering a package that is entertaining, thrilling, and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of Dan Brown's novel or someone coming to the tale fresh, Inferno offers a compelling cinematic journey.