Code Cracks $224 Million Worldwide

Despite overwhelming negative reviews, The Da Vinci Code was able to conjure up $224 million worldwide - $77 million coming from the United States. That makes it the biggest opening so far of any domestic movie in 2006, and the second largest worldwide opening of all time, behind only last year's Star Wars: Episode III.

Critics were not kind to the film, with the only noteworthy positive review coming from America's most famous critic - Roger Ebert, who called it "preposterously entertaining".

As one of the many who both read the novel and saw the movie, I have to admit that The Da Vinci Code is likely to confuse those not familar with the book and disappoint those well-versed in Dan Brown's story. One complaint that can't be lodged against the movie, however, is that it's not faithful to the book. It's extremely loyal to the novel - perhaps to a fault...with only a few minor alterations and deletions in the interest of pacing and running time.