Parents' Guide to Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol

By now we all know what to expect from Dan Brown offerings (i.e. relentless iconography and historical references, a healthy dose of danger, and some seriously ominous bad guys) -- this series delivers on that promise. If that's your cup of tea, you'll eat up Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. Conversely, you'll want to move on if you find the overabundance of unending twists, non-stop peril, and protagonists who always seem to figure out the puzzle at the last possible second to be tiring.

One noticeable improvement on Dan Brown adaptations of the past is the inclusion of more robust characters of color into a previously overwhelmingly white franchise. The juxtaposition of the sardonic and overly competent security guard, Nunez (played by Rick Gonzalez), to the other Mensa member leads is an especially welcome bright spot. Ashley Zukerman also does an impressive job of updating the Robert Langdon character with a portrayal more grounding and likeable than Tom Hanks ever managed. With its imposing sets, quick pace, and dialogue that's decidedly elevated from that of a standard broadcast TV procedural, this is a compelling watch for teenagers and parents who have enjoyed burning through the latest Marvel series and need their next family binge.