Today’s post begins with a fractal called Compass. As you can see it’s a “golden” compass--at least partially--and that is important since I will be reviewing The Golden Compass today.
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I knew I’d be seeing The Golden Compass as soon as I saw the trailers last May: the video was nothing short of stunning and I’m a sucker for bears in aromor of any sort. Having read the book (the entire trilogy in fact) by Phillip Pullman (that's His Dark Materials for any of you who might be interested) I was also curious to see how well it would translate from the page to the screen. I can happily report that it makes the translation quite well--for the most part at least (and I‘ll get into wat doesn't work so well a bit later).
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Tomboy Lyra (nicely played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards) is raising herself (mostly) at Jordan College in Oxford where she saves her “uncle” Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig in a small role that doesn’t leave much impression) from death at the hands of the Magisterium. He gives her an “alietheometer”--a (possibly) magical device that answers questions for those who know how to read it. After the disappearance of the “Gyptian” boy Tony Costa (Charlie Rowe) and her best friend Roger (Ben Walker) who have been stolen away by the “gobblers” she is drawn into the obit of Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman)--a cold as ice be-atch with many secrets of her own. Escaping Mrs. Coulter Lyra is rescued by a band of Gyptians who have been charged to watch after her by Lord Asriel. Lyra journeys Northward with the Gyptians to rescue the stolen children and meets the armored bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by a computer-enhanced Sir Ian McKellen) aeronaut Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliot doing his usual “western hero“ schtick) and the witch Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green). See the movie or read the book if you want happens from there.
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The movie presents a familiar yet utterly alien world and offers no explanation other than a couple of sentances at the very start of the movie. The makers just lay it out and expect the viewer to just go along (and this might be a problem for some viewers). If you can get past these questions you will find The Golden Compass to be a beautifully-shot, ripping-good adventure story that carries you along on an exciting journey. The writers had to leave out a lot of stuff from the book but most of it won’t be noticed by anyone who hasn’t read the book. (This movie ocst 180 Million to make so it better look good!) Personally I could have done with an explanation of a few things (like what exactly IS “Dust”--other than something to be feared.) The sets are beautiful and the acting and affects are all first rate. The direction never gets in the way of the plot or action. The plot moves along quickly enough that you don’t really have time to think about the inconsistencies in the story. About the only thing I can really complain about is the truly horrid song (it's an unrelentingly-awful "New Age" mess that should have been left out of the movie) over the closing credits. (Yes, it’s that bad!)
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The movie has been condemned by the Catholic League (for being “anti-Catholic”) and criticized by several evangelical groups as “opening the door to atheism”--mainly because all the characters have “daemons” (pronounced (“demons”) and because Phillip Pullman is an avowed atheist. Having read both the trilogy and seen the movie it is my considered opinion (as a main-line protest who grew up Roman Catholic) that The Golden Compass is neither. Yes, it is decided anti-authoritarianism and decidedly pro free will but I didn’t find anything overtly against any religion in either the book or the movie. Yes, the book refers to “the Church” (which the movie wisely avoids in hope of avoiding controversy)--but even the most ardent Catholic must acknowledge a period of Church history where heresy and scientific thought were purged with fire and torture. As for the fears of Fundamentalists everywhere let me just say this--a faith that can’t survive a work of fiction isn’t much of a faith. Watching this movie isn’t going to draw an unbeliever further away from Christ Please give the audience enough credit for the ability to distinguish between a work of faction and something purported to be reality. This is a work of fiction--not an attack on anyone’s faith. Trying to make it something else says more about your beliefs than those who made the movie and he who wrote the book.
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The Golden Compass isn’t for everyone. Fans of fantasy and Science Fiction films (like the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings films) will find a lot to enjoy here. Fans of action and adventure films will probably enjoy it as well. True, the film is not without its problems but the good far outweighs the bad and the visuals cry to be seen on a large screen (if only because of the richness of the detail crammed in every shot). Robyn and I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD and I hope New Line makes enough money on it produced the rest of the trilogy.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
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I knew I’d be seeing The Golden Compass as soon as I saw the trailers last May: the video was nothing short of stunning and I’m a sucker for bears in aromor of any sort. Having read the book (the entire trilogy in fact) by Phillip Pullman (that's His Dark Materials for any of you who might be interested) I was also curious to see how well it would translate from the page to the screen. I can happily report that it makes the translation quite well--for the most part at least (and I‘ll get into wat doesn't work so well a bit later).
-
Tomboy Lyra (nicely played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards) is raising herself (mostly) at Jordan College in Oxford where she saves her “uncle” Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig in a small role that doesn’t leave much impression) from death at the hands of the Magisterium. He gives her an “alietheometer”--a (possibly) magical device that answers questions for those who know how to read it. After the disappearance of the “Gyptian” boy Tony Costa (Charlie Rowe) and her best friend Roger (Ben Walker) who have been stolen away by the “gobblers” she is drawn into the obit of Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman)--a cold as ice be-atch with many secrets of her own. Escaping Mrs. Coulter Lyra is rescued by a band of Gyptians who have been charged to watch after her by Lord Asriel. Lyra journeys Northward with the Gyptians to rescue the stolen children and meets the armored bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by a computer-enhanced Sir Ian McKellen) aeronaut Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliot doing his usual “western hero“ schtick) and the witch Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green). See the movie or read the book if you want happens from there.
-
The movie presents a familiar yet utterly alien world and offers no explanation other than a couple of sentances at the very start of the movie. The makers just lay it out and expect the viewer to just go along (and this might be a problem for some viewers). If you can get past these questions you will find The Golden Compass to be a beautifully-shot, ripping-good adventure story that carries you along on an exciting journey. The writers had to leave out a lot of stuff from the book but most of it won’t be noticed by anyone who hasn’t read the book. (This movie ocst 180 Million to make so it better look good!) Personally I could have done with an explanation of a few things (like what exactly IS “Dust”--other than something to be feared.) The sets are beautiful and the acting and affects are all first rate. The direction never gets in the way of the plot or action. The plot moves along quickly enough that you don’t really have time to think about the inconsistencies in the story. About the only thing I can really complain about is the truly horrid song (it's an unrelentingly-awful "New Age" mess that should have been left out of the movie) over the closing credits. (Yes, it’s that bad!)
-
The movie has been condemned by the Catholic League (for being “anti-Catholic”) and criticized by several evangelical groups as “opening the door to atheism”--mainly because all the characters have “daemons” (pronounced (“demons”) and because Phillip Pullman is an avowed atheist. Having read both the trilogy and seen the movie it is my considered opinion (as a main-line protest who grew up Roman Catholic) that The Golden Compass is neither. Yes, it is decided anti-authoritarianism and decidedly pro free will but I didn’t find anything overtly against any religion in either the book or the movie. Yes, the book refers to “the Church” (which the movie wisely avoids in hope of avoiding controversy)--but even the most ardent Catholic must acknowledge a period of Church history where heresy and scientific thought were purged with fire and torture. As for the fears of Fundamentalists everywhere let me just say this--a faith that can’t survive a work of fiction isn’t much of a faith. Watching this movie isn’t going to draw an unbeliever further away from Christ Please give the audience enough credit for the ability to distinguish between a work of faction and something purported to be reality. This is a work of fiction--not an attack on anyone’s faith. Trying to make it something else says more about your beliefs than those who made the movie and he who wrote the book.
-
The Golden Compass isn’t for everyone. Fans of fantasy and Science Fiction films (like the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings films) will find a lot to enjoy here. Fans of action and adventure films will probably enjoy it as well. True, the film is not without its problems but the good far outweighs the bad and the visuals cry to be seen on a large screen (if only because of the richness of the detail crammed in every shot). Robyn and I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD and I hope New Line makes enough money on it produced the rest of the trilogy.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
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