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Topic:
The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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Vortigern99
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
12/10/07 3:35pm
Subject:
The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
- Date Edited:
12/10/07 3:53pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Dark_Jedi_Kenobi
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My wife and I just came back from watching this film, for which we've been waiting for months. Sadly, we were both grossly underwhelmed and found little or no emotional connection with the characters and events onscreen. Rather than gasping with worry or shock when Lyra is captured, for example, we just kind of sat there thinking, "Oh, look, Lyra got captured by the bad guys. Hmmm." The best moments in the film involved the Ice Bears, and the struggle of Iorek to regain his throne. Those scenes at least had a kind of life to them, a dynamism and a sense of humor not felt or seen in any other part of the movie. It's not a bad film by far -- parts of it are quite astonishing, really -- but it is mostly tedious and unengaging, and I don't think I'm inspired to either read the book or wait breathlessly for the next movie in the series... if they even decide to make it.
Did anyone enjoy it on a level that I did not? Or are we all in agreement that it's kind of "meh"?
DJK edit: I just edited the title so it's clear that non-HTR spoilers are allowed in this thread. 
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"I knew from the beginning I was not doing science fiction.
I was doing a space opera, a fantasy film, a mythological piece,
a fairy tale."--George Lucas
My "Vader's Origins" thread:
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Count_Doodie
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 3:42am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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dude, dont let this shambles of a film put you off reading the book. northern lights/the golden compass is one of the best books i've ever read. you can imagine how let down i was by the film.
go read the book, and if you dont LOVE it i'll send you a muffin in the post to compensate you for your time!
once again, film was crap, book is brilliant.
-doodie
ps. do you know about the whole, they left the end of the book off of the film, thing?
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Raven
Title:
SFF: Books and Comics Mangler
Registered:
Oct '98
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 5:26am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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The movie was visually amazing.
Beyond that, not so good.
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Radical-Edward
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 1:45pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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(My review here, copied from elsewhere. Starts off discussing the last 20 minutes of the film that got cut out from the theatrical release)
My feeling at the end of the film was that the movie seemed like an incised child. It was stunted in every way: its plots were incomplete, each major act was, at best, only 70% of what it should have been, and it had no ending. I really tried to have an open mind and give the 'revised' ending a chance, but it just really didn't work. The story was incomplete, and I think even someone unfamiliar to Northern Lights would understand that there was something fundamental missing when the final fade to black came, like there should have been another sequence, another major event, maybe even a short epilogue. The last-minute editing out of the conclusion was done sloppily, in a purely technical sense, and it didn't flow from a storyteller's perspective, either. This was the single greatest failing of the film. The action was just starting to build after Bolvangar; the chase was on, Mrs. Coulter had just rallied her troops and was racing Scoresby to the North, everything is ready for the ultimate showdown...and then it just stops.
That said, the acting was fantastic. Nicole Kidman seemed like she was born for this role, and Dakota Blue Richards really is Lyra. Daniel Craig was no pushover, either. Eva Green also did well, despite being one scene away from completely absent from the film (I think that reducing her role will come back to bite them later if they make the sequels) and who could have said that Sam Elliot would have been anything short of perfect as Scoresby? Iorek was perhaps the best-written character of the movie, and the voice acting matched. There were shades to his 'performance' that I think will be unfortunately lost on even many discerning viewers. Cheers to the entire main cast. Christopher Lee's cameo was also a nice, unexpected surprise.
On the flip side, Fra Pavel came off as too weaselly and slimy, and should have carried more gravitas for the role that his character played. Billy's reunion with Ma Costa was a tremendous disappointment. Such fantastic potential for a really powerful scene blindly tossed away. How did Ma Costa know about him losing Ratters? *sigh* Tough as it is working with child actors, there should have been better coaching of the kids, particularly in the first minutes of the film, and more emphasis on realistic behavior.
Nearly as disappointing as the ending being removed was the reversal of the Bolvangar and the Ice Bear sequences. Rescing the children took up, what, one third of the original book? It was over before the half-way point, and just served as a way of introducing the important characters and groups and events. I come to the film, and that becomes the sole focus of the entire story, dominating even the climax, Iorek's return to his people (who somehow were inexplicably displaced displaced from Svalbard to Norway somewhere in the course of the movie  ) . The great character-driven tragedy that is Northern Lights became a dime-a-dozen children's adventure story with a happy, story-book ending?
Conclusions: Unless you really like to watch acting for acting's sake, skip it. If you do choose to see it, at least there are some pretty pictures to look at along the way.
Don't judge the book by the movie, either, whatever you do.
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"I tat I ta a Putty Tat!"
"I did, I did tee a Putty Tat!" Tweety Bird
"See you Space Cowgirl" Writing at the end of Hard Luck Women, Cowboy Bebop
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Koohii
Title: Games: RPG d6 GM
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 4:49pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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I only read the synopsis on the backs of the toys and saw that there was a video game. What I read made me think it was an even worse and weaker storyline than the new Narnia series.
I've found, lately, that a number of new movies and TV shows are really nothing more than ways to discover a decent book. Dresden Files: mediocre TV, very amusing books. Dexter: rare case where both the TV series and the books are good (though different enough that season 2 and book 2 have to be in totally different universes). BloodTies: horrible TV, not very good books. Hitch-Hiker's Guide: blah movie, horrible TV, 2 good books/4 bad ones, great radio programme. So, go from there.
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Vortigern99
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 6:47pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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Thank you all, especially Radical Edward, for your educated reviews of this promising disappointment. My wife and I could indeed tell something fundamental was missing, that there was a great story with great characters begging to be told, but alas, it was not up there on the screen.
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"I knew from the beginning I was not doing science fiction.
I was doing a space opera, a fantasy film, a mythological piece,
a fairy tale."--George Lucas
My "Vader's Origins" thread:
http://boards.theforce.net/Classic_Trilogy/b10002/8708417/p1
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Darth_Hydra
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
12/11/07 8:33pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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I have the first book but never got the around to reading it. In the next day or two I'll probably see the movie. Is there anything that might be too confusing since I haven't read it?
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LAJ_FETT
Title: Tech Admin, CollectingCCG/TCG/Boardgames
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 7:21am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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I haven't seen the film, and based on the reviews I've seen, I might not. However I did get the first book and I am just about finished with it. I highly recommend it even if you are older than the age range it is intended for. I bought the other two since I am enjoying it so much.
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JediPrettyBoy
Registered:
Jan '05
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 7:51am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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The Golden Compass...Atheistic rhetoric and propaganda.
I'm sure the storytelling, at least of the books, is as imaginative as people make it out to be, but I just can't bring myself to read the books or see the movie.
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Vortigern99
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 8:53am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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"Aetheistic propaganda?" Is that why the US Conference of Bishops said that since "Lyra and her allies are taking a stand on behalf of free will in opposition to the coercive force of the Magisterium, they are of course acting entirely in harmony with Catholic teaching"? That "the heroism and self-sacrifice that they demonstrate provide appropriate moral lessons"? Why would they go on to ask: "Is Pullman trying to undermine anyone’s belief in God? Leaving the books aside and focusing on what has ended up on screen, the script can reasonably be interpreted in the broadest sense as an appeal against the abuse of political power."
Any anway, since we are awash in Christian propaganda from all quarters of western culture, including our national governments, what would be so morally reprehensible about presenting an agnostic or even aetheistic view in counter-point? There is no evidence that the Judeo-Christian deity exists, only faith and belief; and those emotional and mental states are not sufficient cause to present theistic systems as any more real or valid or "right" than an aetheistic system.
I am not championing this tedious, lackluster film -- but I am championing its right to question accepted religious doctrine and defy conventional Christian dogma.
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"I knew from the beginning I was not doing science fiction.
I was doing a space opera, a fantasy film, a mythological piece,
a fairy tale."--George Lucas
My "Vader's Origins" thread:
http://boards.theforce.net/Classic_Trilogy/b10002/8708417/p1
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Radical-Edward
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 1:01pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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Vortigern99 posted:
I am championing its right to question accepted religious doctrine and defy conventional Christian dogma.
Or, in the case of all those who have never read the books and make spurious claims about its 'corruptive atheist influences' or whatever the catchphrase is, Unconventional Christian dogma. True Christian dogma has nothing against the messages of the book...or the film, for that matter.
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"I tat I ta a Putty Tat!"
"I did, I did tee a Putty Tat!" Tweety Bird
"See you Space Cowgirl" Writing at the end of Hard Luck Women, Cowboy Bebop
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JediPrettyBoy
Registered:
Jan '05
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 1:44pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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Vortigern99 posted:
"Aetheistic propaganda?" Is that why the US Conference of Bishops said that since "Lyra and her allies are taking a stand on behalf of free will in opposition to the coercive force of the Magisterium, they are of course acting entirely in harmony with Catholic teaching"? That "the heroism and self-sacrifice that they demonstrate provide appropriate moral lessons"? Why would they go on to ask: "Is Pullman trying to undermine anyone’s belief in God? Leaving the books aside and focusing on what has ended up on screen, the script can reasonably be interpreted in the broadest sense as an appeal against the abuse of political power."
Any anway, since we are awash in Christian propaganda from all quarters of western culture, including our national governments, what would be so morally reprehensible about presenting an agnostic or even aetheistic view in counter-point? There is no evidence that the Judeo-Christian deity exists, only faith and belief; and those emotional and mental states are not sufficient cause to present theistic systems as any more real or valid or "right" than an aetheistic system.
I am not championing this tedious, lackluster film -- but I am championing its right to question accepted religious doctrine and defy conventional Christian dogma.
How do you know if I am even Jewish or Christian?
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"They scream and they cry. Much as your doing now." -- Dr. J. Crane/Scarecrow
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Vortigern99
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 6:07pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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JediPrettyBoy posted:
How do you know if I am even Jewish or Christian?
I do not. However, given that I have never entered into a discussion with a person who objects to 'aetheist propaganda' who was not of the Judeo-Christian family of religions, it's a reasonable guess. Regardless of one's specific faith, to take issue with agnosticism, or works which supposedly support agnosticism, by naming them 'aetheist propaganda' is a clear indication of religious intolerance. Please be more open-minded when it comes to one's freedom of -- or from -- religion.
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"I knew from the beginning I was not doing science fiction.
I was doing a space opera, a fantasy film, a mythological piece,
a fairy tale."--George Lucas
My "Vader's Origins" thread:
http://boards.theforce.net/Classic_Trilogy/b10002/8708417/p1
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Koohii
Title: Games: RPG d6 GM
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 6:24pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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 Sadly, the constitution of the USA only provides "freedom of religion", not "freedom from religion". "The Framers" didn't trust the people, and figured that the "common man" needed religion to keep them in line. That's also why they put in an "electoral college"--in case "the People" made a mistake. It never occurred to them that society would rise to the point where a large minority who were not "ruling class" would be agnostic or aetheist. Heck, the constitution was "a great experiment."
I think it's funny that the main obnoxious aetheist (can't remember his name) has alienated his children with his pursuits and lawsuits (in defense of their rights, of course) that at least one of them has taken up religion.
 Harry Potter  is a wiccan conspiracy to corrupt your children, you know. 
 Halloween is a pagan holiday where virgins are sacrificed on altars. 
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Vortigern99
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
12/12/07 8:04pm
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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This thread has taken an odd turn, but before we're redirected by Conor or DJK, allow me to submit that whereas a religion is a system of spiritual and/or moral beliefs, aetheism and agnosticism are forms of religion, and therefore protected under the same constitutional guarantees.
-----signature-----
"I knew from the beginning I was not doing science fiction.
I was doing a space opera, a fantasy film, a mythological piece,
a fairy tale."--George Lucas
My "Vader's Origins" thread:
http://boards.theforce.net/Classic_Trilogy/b10002/8708417/p1
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Count_Doodie
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
12/13/07 9:05am
Subject:
RE: The Golden Compass... An Exciting Adventure? (Spoilers Allowed)
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my 2cents, i cant understand how some pple are so insecure in their faith that they're scared of a film.
*glances around nervously*
[subjectchange]so um *cough* did anyone else see that part where that one bear beat up the other bear...?[/subjectchange]
*glances around nervously*
-doodie
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dont laugh at me, i'm here to learn.
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