Comments on: “The Golden Compass” Points South http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/the-golden-compass-points-south/ Movies with Rock Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:27:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Nathan Victor http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/the-golden-compass-points-south/#comment-2709 Nathan Victor Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:11:58 +0000 http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/the-golden-compass-points-south/#comment-2709 I had just finished reading these books and was excited to see the Golden Compass. Then, I heard about the controversy, didn't understand it, and wanted to see the movie even more. However, I recognized the controversial topic as soon as dust was mentioned and it made the movie worth while to me. (I'm still kicking myself for not getting the anti-religion theme while reading. I don't remember that it's spelled out the way it is in the movie. In the book, dust was just a secret topic that some were protecting.) The movie brings up the age-old and polarizing topic of science vs. religion and directs the audience to side with science. Dust is the new thing and the magisterium is decidedly against it. There is a lot missing from the book (like most books to movies) that did not make it to the movie such as the essential ending chapter of the book. They could have made Lyra a lot more interesting. In the book, Lyra is awesome. In the movie, she's a little brat. I agree with both of you guys' opinions on this one. Rushed, should have been better and intriguing, want more. Thanks for the review. I had just finished reading these books and was excited to see the Golden Compass. Then, I heard about the controversy, didn’t understand it, and wanted to see the movie even more. However, I recognized the controversial topic as soon as dust was mentioned and it made the movie worth while to me. (I’m still kicking myself for not getting the anti-religion theme while reading. I don’t remember that it’s spelled out the way it is in the movie. In the book, dust was just a secret topic that some were protecting.) The movie brings up the age-old and polarizing topic of science vs. religion and directs the audience to side with science. Dust is the new thing and the magisterium is decidedly against it.
There is a lot missing from the book (like most books to movies) that did not make it to the movie such as the essential ending chapter of the book. They could have made Lyra a lot more interesting. In the book, Lyra is awesome. In the movie, she’s a little brat.
I agree with both of you guys’ opinions on this one. Rushed, should have been better and intriguing, want more.
Thanks for the review.

]]> By: FilmNerdJamie http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/the-golden-compass-points-south/#comment-2664 FilmNerdJamie Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:20:25 +0000 http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/the-golden-compass-points-south/#comment-2664 Part of me thinks New Line should have either done the entire HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy like they did LORD OF THE RINGS (i.e. one long ass fucking shoot making all 3 films together) or flat out not make any of em. I say that because what GOLDEN COMPASS needed (among other things) was more time to really set up this world, the characters, etc. like FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING masterfully did. Everything just felt random as Hell and the ideas sounded more like what a hyper 8 year old kid would have thought of (i.e. talking polar bears wearing armor, cowboys, flying witches, gyptians, James Bond with a beard, etc.) than actual plot devices. Shit just came too suddenly throughout the film before the ideas could sink in with the audience. And the way the film just abruptly ended, you didn't have to know about the ending being changed at the last minute to not notice something was up. It definitely gives you that "what the fuck?!?" vibe like after first seeing DUNE. And...was I the only one thinking of other films during the screening? All the stuff with Lyra & her friends at the college looked like HARRY POTTER. Even that tracking shot introducing Coulter from her backside looked like an outtake from POTTER. And when Asriel fights those thugs in the snow I couldn't help but think of a BOND film. It was a really fucking frustrating film for me to sit through because it clearly had the potential to work. If it actually makes $$$ domestically, I'll be surprised because I...just...can't see U.S. audiences getting into this. Part of me thinks New Line should have either done the entire HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy like they did LORD OF THE RINGS (i.e. one long ass fucking shoot making all 3 films together) or flat out not make any of em. I say that because what GOLDEN COMPASS needed (among other things) was more time to really set up this world, the characters, etc. like FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING masterfully did.

Everything just felt random as Hell and the ideas sounded more like what a hyper 8 year old kid would have thought of (i.e. talking polar bears wearing armor, cowboys, flying witches, gyptians, James Bond with a beard, etc.) than actual plot devices. Shit just came too suddenly throughout the film before the ideas could sink in with the audience. And the way the film just abruptly ended, you didn’t have to know about the ending being changed at the last minute to not notice something was up. It definitely gives you that “what the fuck?!?” vibe like after first seeing DUNE.

And…was I the only one thinking of other films during the screening? All the stuff with Lyra & her friends at the college looked like HARRY POTTER. Even that tracking shot introducing Coulter from her backside looked like an outtake from POTTER. And when Asriel fights those thugs in the snow I couldn’t help but think of a BOND film.

It was a really fucking frustrating film for me to sit through because it clearly had the potential to work. If it actually makes $$$ domestically, I’ll be surprised because I…just…can’t see U.S. audiences getting into this.

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