A preface: If you’re planning to see a movie based on a book and have not read the book, do not go with people who have.

This is because there are very few movies that can compare favorably to their literary counterparts. Your friends who have read the book will remind you of this fact frequently.

While sitting in the theater, watching “Angels and Demons” — also known as director Ron Howard’s latest attempt at giving Tom Hanks something to do — I was forced endure frequent discussions between friends that often started with phrases such as, “that is so different!” or “where’s the other character?”

If the movie was allowed to speak for itself without incessant comparisons to the book, I would say it ranks as above average.

Although the movies have been produced out of order, “Angels and Demons” is actually the prequel to “The Da Vinci Code.” In the Da Vinci Code,” Hanks’ character, Robert Langdon, finds Jesus’ last living heir.

In “Angels”, Langdon is approached by the Catholic church, which has a bit of a problem.

The Pope recently passed away and the four cardinals favored to replace him have been kidnapped and threatened with death.

Thus, an adventure ensues that completely depends upon Langdon’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Renaissance trivia to progress from point A to point B.

While viewers may expect a film adaptation of a book to stay similar to the source material, many times directors have to make cuts for the big screen. Despite the alleged cuts from the book version, I was pleased that the plot in “Angels” was fairly cohesive. Despite Hanks’ babble about sculptors and Illuminati, it’s fairly easy to see why the plot progresses the way it does.

Hanks himself produces a standard performance, although credit has to be given to Ewan McGregor’s character of the Camerlengo, the right-hand man of the pope. He is, arguably, the most entertaining character; dancing back and forth in the viewers’ heads between innocent victim and sinister villain.

Production values and cinematography were both excellent, with the majority of the movie being shot throughout Italy. Howard captured perfectly the vibrant buzz of life in areas such as Rome and the Vatican City. The soundtrack, however, seems more subdued than the powerful imagery. The music presented is acceptable for each scene, but it won’t be remembered upon leaving the theater.

When the credits rolled, my friends who had read “Angels and Demons” stood up, looked at each other and began a lengthy discussion of how the book was much better. I interrupted to ask what they thought of the movie itself. They both replied, “It was pretty good,”  and I have to concur.  “Angels and Demons” was a fine effort to try to capture the Da Vinci Code magic, an experience that may have been enhanced by not having the source material with which to compare it.