It's not easy to remake classics, especially classics like 1972's "The Poseidon Adventure", which still remains enormously popular. However, this remake does manage to make a mark thanks to the sterling direction of Wolfgang Petersen, who has another sea disaster ("Perfect Storm") under his belt.

In addition, the talents of writer Mark Protosevich, best known for "The Cell", also support it.

However, the strong cast of the original, which featured such giants as Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Roddy McDowell, Red Buttons and Jack Albertson, makes it hard for die-hard fans to accept this remake.

It's like remaking "Gone With the Wind", an idea so vile no studio has dared attempt it though many plots have been hatched.

"Poseidon" has managed to assemble a good cast led by Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Dillon and Jacinda Barrett to carry the capsized liner plot through.

Viewers who never saw the original should have no problem enjoying this adventure. The special effects alone are worth the price of the ticket.

Meanwhile, the Thai film industry was rocked by a gigantic scandal last week - the last 10 minutes of the "Da Vinci Code" was going to be cut. Thankfully the plan was dropped at the last minute, though the film board should disband for even toying with the idea.

Hanuman has said for decades that this body is a menace because it lacks three basic but essential qualities - respect, appreciation and an understanding of film. Without these qualifications, the board should quit and stop making Thailand the laughing stock of the movie world.

One of the most brutal cuts made by the board was in the Oscar-winning "The Last Emperor". Censors here cut out scenes where a spoilt young emperor forces eunuchs to drink ink and orders his brother to tie his shoelaces. His being scolded by Communist authorities for wrongdoings was also deleted.

Anyone who has seen the "Da Vinci Code" will realise that the filmmakers have tried quite hard not to offend the Vatican and have taken steps to direct criticism away from the Church.

One must remember that this is not a documentary but a work of fiction. It's hard to see how this film could insult educated minds. Even the Opus Dei sect last week defended the right for the film to be shown.

Historically, there is nothing new about the Da Vinci Code. It is old hat in many quarters. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947, are the oldest documents dealing with the Testament. They were written about 200 years after Christ, though they don't mention Jesus or his disciples.

The modern day Bible was also not written during Jesus' time but at least a century or two after his death. Journalists writing about an event that took place 100 or 200 years ago will understand how difficult it is to assure accuracy without first-hand sources. With that in mind, critics of "Da Vinci" should back off.

Finally distributors should take note that very often, four out of 10 viewers are expats who can't read Thai subtitles. As much of the movie is in French and Italian, it requires English subtitles too.