shelby hiatt (Santa Monica)

Can't decide if this is more Da Vinci Code or 007. It's fun to read, bound to be fun to watch. The male protagonist, Michael, (Bradley Cooper has a lock on this one) manages to crack wise in every life threatening situation. The constant geographical shift, the U.S. , Russia, London, Chunnel to Paris (where the romance warms) then Antarctica, Germany and finally safe and sound at home in a back yard BBQ, is a major entertainment trip. And we recognize the drill. Good guys morph into baddies and the other way around. Choppers appear from nowhere to the rescue. It keeps the tension rising. And there's plenty of blood and gore: an upside down crucifixion but they tear the guy down from the nails, he's still alive. And later a right side up one for the girl, but she's only tied on and Michael saves her. (She's got plenty of moxie throughout.) Attack dogs, the spear that killed Christ that performs like a ray gun (cool!), wise cracks, Heil Satan, endless codes leading to more codes and more wise cracks--there's plenty here to keep us glued to the multiplex seat.

Well done script. Could use some sharpening and cleaning but who cares. Terrific story and interesting characters. Good on Amazon for developing this one.