The consensus leans towards disappointment, with the reviews split between mixed and negative assessments. Most critics find the adaptation too dependent on explanation, leaving little space for character or suspense. Praise clusters around the supporting performances, particularly Ian McKellen, whose liveliness offers some relief from the solemnity. There is also appreciation for Audrey Tautou’s urgency, though the leads receive less consistent support than the supporting cast.
The main disagreement is over whether fidelity to the novel compensates for the slow, talk-heavy storytelling. Radio Times sees a sober, comprehensive adaptation that should satisfy the book’s fans; less persuaded critics find that same approach inert and overlong. Assessments range from qualified enjoyment to emphatic rejection, with reservations about Tom Hanks’s passivity and the handling of action. Den of Geek offers a more favourable assessment of the extended cut, judging it a substantial improvement over the theatrical version rather than an outstanding thriller.