The Golden Compass

[Donachiel]

Well this years Hollywood scavenging and plunder of our favourite books is out in your local googleplex this weekend. And I must say, I'm rather anxious about this one...

Now I loved Lord of the Rings, Pete Jackson, although unable to edit a film to an acceptable time, really put heart and soul into Tolkien's classic. Unfortunately, Narnia could have done with a little Magic and less polish. Not that it did it too much harm. But why do I feel like they leave me somewhat... under-nourished?

From the looks of the trailer, The Golden Compass is more polished than Narnia yet I still hold out hope, as I'm a big fan of the books. I mean, how bad can it be... Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel, Nicola Kidman as Mrs Coulter, Sam Elliott as Lee Scoresby, there's even a turn by Gndalf (Ian McKellen) as the voice of Iorek Byrnison.

After watching it... I'm still not sure...

I know, a bit of a let down, but I just can't weigh it up. Despite the polished look - I mean, anyone would think no one had made Star Wars - all of the elements are there. Although they've toned down the Atheistic storyline (which doesn't take full swing until later in the trilogy) it is still there for those who can think for themselves.

Mrs Coulter was played fantastically be Kidman, who pulled the role off with both the sickly beauty and hidden malice the character in the book emanates. Daniel Craig brings an amount of heroism to Lord Asriel, which is unfortunate that he is not in the movie that much.

But best of all is Iorek Byrnison as the token talking CGI effect, like some anti-Aslan the lion. Aslan in Narnia is all noble and wise. Iorek is a polar bear that drinks whiskey from a dirty bucket and wears armour in war. One cool bear...

But overall, the film appeared to be missing something. I've not read the books in some six years, so I'm not sure if their were anything important missing. But the action moves from one scene to the next at an extraordinary pace, leaving your head spinning. Literally, blink and you will miss a scene link.

The main issue I have with the film is the wuss-out at the end. The book has an ending both shocking and necessary for the next book. However, the film holds back for less shocking end (don't get me wrong, still a cliff hanger) and ties things up a little nicer.

I'm led to believe, the scenes for the end of the film were shot. However, they opted to leave them for the beginning of the second film, if one should be made. But from the performance of this film, I'm not sure if there will be one... Or even if there should...

A pleasing but under-nourished 3 out of 5 starr*'s (I so wanted to give this the Five the book deserves, but alas Hollywood just don't make them like they should)

My advice, go buy the books...

[Alpha]

I've no idea what it's about but there seems to be some upheaval about this movie.

[THE V0NZ]

I've read the trilogy - good stuff, but a bit disappointing nonetheless.

Even though it is supposedly children's literature with 'big' themes, there's no rugging in it at all - I think there's a kiss at the end of book three - that's it. munching rip-off!



EDIT: And those rascals at Borders wouldn't take it back (ok, some of it was a bit 'worn', IYKWIM).

[karnautrahl]

Well I went to see this, and I've read the books.

It's a decent average.

I've seen worse and I've seen better. It's difficult to describe what would have been better however as it's been some years since I read the books.

I think I may just go download them again-I bought them once and charity shopped them since LOL.

I like the polar bear, for the same reasons

From what I remember Pullman's point seemed to be dogmatic authority versus freedom and free thinking.

Pertinant LOL.

[White Out]

I read the book in eighth grade, and it was fantastic, and I sort of waited six years for it to come out as a movie.
It was alright, but I was a bit disappointed.

We all know there will be sequels, but it was a quite short movie, why they couldn't add a half hour, and add more detail of the book in, I don't know.
But otherwise, it was a pretty good movie.
Can't wait for the next one

[Ernest Rants]

pissed up fighting polar bears sells it for me

[THE V0NZ]

Originally Posted by karnautrahl

From what I remember Pullman's point seemed to be dogmatic authority versus freedom and free thinking.

Pertinant LOL.

Indeed.

From Wikipaedia today;

Religious perspective

Pullman is a supporter of the British Humanist Association and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. New Yorker journalist Laura Miller has described Pullman as one of England's most outspoken atheists.

The His Dark Materials books have been controversial with some Christian groups. Peter Hitchens has argued that Pullman actively pursues an anti-Christian agenda. In support of this contention, he cites an interview in which Pullman is quoted as saying: "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

In the same interview, Pullman also "acknowledge(s) that a controversy would be likely to boost sales. But I'm not in the business of offending people. I find the books upholding certain values that I think are important. Such as that this life is immensely valuable. And that this world is an extraordinarily beautiful place, and we should do what we can to increase the amount of wisdom in the world'."

Hitchens views the His Dark Materials series as a direct rebuttal of C. S. Lewis's series. Although Pullman has criticized C. S. Lewis's series The Chronicles of Narnia as religious propaganda, the two series have several things in common. Both feature children facing adult moral choices, talking animals, religious allegories, parallel worlds, and concern the ultimate fate of those worlds. The first published Narnia book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, begins with a young girl hiding in a wardrobe, as does the first His Dark Materials book, Northern Lights (published as The Golden Compass in North America).

Literary critic Alan Jacobs (of Wheaton College) argues that in his recasting of John Milton's trilogy, Pullman replaces a theist world-view with a Rousseauist one.

However, Pullman has found support from other Christians, most notably Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. These groups and individuals contend that Pullman's negative portrayal of the "Church" in His Dark Materials amounts to an attack on dogmatism and the use of religion to oppress, not on Christianity itself. Dr. Williams has gone so far as to propose that His Dark Materials be taught as part of religious education in schools. Moreover, authors of works dedicated to critical appraisals of religious themes in his writing have described Pullman as a friendly and generous debating partner.

Other Christian writers, such as Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware, while finding his anti-Christian position troubling, "also uncover spiritual themes within the books, which, like shafts of light, break through an otherwise gloomy universe—despite Pullman’s best efforts to keep them out. In the end, the authors argue that Pullman offers an unwitting tribute to the God he intended to discredit." in their book Shedding Light on His Dark Materials.

I don't recall Roald Dahl or Tolkien needing to peddle an agenda to write a good tale, but hey ho what do I know?

All that happens is you end up with kids books with no fun in them, just like all that Narnia shite!

[silver_song642]

I haven't watched the movie yet, but I plan to eventually. I was a huge fan of the books though! I just wish that people didn't look so deeply into the series. I read those books in middle school. Did it ever chance my thoughts or opinions on religion or christianity? Nopes. Now, even at that age, I noticed that little thing with the witches and the church doing such terrible things, but if that book taught me anything, it taught me to keep an open mind as to what people want to believe and not get so offended.

[Donachiel]

Originally Posted by silver_song642

I haven't watched the movie yet, but I plan to eventually. I was a huge fan of the books though! I just wish that people didn't look so deeply into the series. I read those books in middle school. Did it ever chance my thoughts or opinions on religion or christianity? Nopes. Now, even at that age, I noticed that little thing with the witches and the church doing such terrible things, but if that book taught me anything, it taught me to keep an open mind as to what people want to believe and not get so offended.

I think you're right. I like to keep open minded about religion, and I think they do that perfectly. The church have been responsible for some terrible things in the past, but it isn't the teachers that are at fault, rather a few people who do it in their name. And I think that is what this is all about... Keeping an open mind and learning rather than just believing.

[Alpha]

What's happened to that iframe thing?