Inferno (2016 film)

Inferno (2016 film)
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Name	Inferno
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Ron Howard
Producer	Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Screenplay	David Koepp
Based on	Inferno, Dan Brown
Starring	Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Irrfan Khan, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Foster
Music	Hans Zimmer
Cinematography	Salvatore Totino
Editing	Tom Elkins, Dan Hanley
Studio	Imagine Entertainment, LStar Capital
Distributor	Columbia Pictures
Released	2016, 10, 08, Venice Film Festival, 2016, 10, 28, United States
Runtime	121 minutes
Country	United States, Hungary, Turkey
Language	English
Budget	$75 million
Gross	$220 million

Inferno (2016 film) is an American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by David Koepp, based on the 2013 novel Inferno by Dan Brown. It is the third installment in the Robert Langdon film series, following The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009). The film stars Tom Hanks reprising his role as Harvard University symbology professor Robert Langdon, who, suffering from amnesia, must race across Europe with doctor Sienna Brooks to stop a global pandemic unleashed by a billionaire transhumanist.

Plot

While in Florence, Robert Langdon awakens in a hospital with amnesia, aided by doctor Sienna Brooks. Pursued by an assassin working for the World Health Organization's Elizabeth Sinskey, they follow clues from Dante's Inferno left by billionaire Bertrand Zobrist. Zobrist, believing overpopulation is an existential threat, has created a virus to cull humanity. Langdon and Brooks travel to the Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of San Marco, deciphering a modified version of Botticelli's The Map of Hell. They learn the virus is hidden in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia. The plot reveals Brooks is Zobrist's lover and accomplice, while the true antagonist is Harry Sims, head of the Consortium, who aims to sell the virus. Langdon and Sinskey recover the virus in the Basilica Cistern and prevent its release, with Sims being killed by his own assassin.

Cast

* Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbology professor. * Felicity Jones as Sienna Brooks, a doctor and Zobrist's accomplice. * Omar Sy as Christoph Bouchard, an agent of the World Health Organization. * Irrfan Khan as Harry Sims, the head of the shadowy Consortium. * Sidse Babett Knudsen as Elizabeth Sinskey, the head of the World Health Organization. * Ben Foster as Bertrand Zobrist, a billionaire transhumanist and geneticist. * Ana Ularu as Vayentha, an assassin working for the Consortium. * Jon Donahue as Richard, a World Health Organization agent.

Production

Development began after Dan Brown published his novel in 2013, with Sony Pictures fast-tracking the project. David Koepp adapted the screenplay, and Ron Howard returned to direct, with Brian Grazer producing through Imagine Entertainment. Principal photography commenced in April 2015, with locations including Venice, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Scenes were also shot at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City and in Budapest, standing in for various European settings. Hans Zimmer returned to compose the score, collaborating with electronic music artist Junkie XL.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on October 8, 2016. It was theatrically released in the United States by Columbia Pictures on October 28, 2016. International openings began in late October across markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. The release strategy included IMAX presentations in select markets to showcase the film's elaborate location photography and action sequences.

Reception

Upon release, Inferno received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 22%. Critics from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety criticized the convoluted plot and lack of tension compared to previous installments. However, some praised the performance of Tom Hanks and the cinematography of Salvatore Totino. The film was a commercial disappointment in North America, opening to $14.9 million, but performed stronger internationally, particularly in China and Europe, grossing a worldwide total of $220 million against a $75 million budget.

Home media

Inferno was released on Digital HD on January 24, 2017, and on Blu-ray, DVD, and Ultra HD Blu-ray by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on January 31, 2017. Special features included deleted scenes, a featurette on the making of the film titled Inferno: A Look Inside, and a commentary track by director Ron Howard. The home media release also contained several featurettes focusing on the adaptation of Dan Brown's novel and the filming in Italy and Turkey.

Category:2016 films Category:American thriller films Category:Films based on novels by Dan Brown