i saw GOLDEN COMPASS

[RobertScorpio]

I hadn't seen this movie yet. Those of you who have kids understand how getting out of the house to see a movie, on your own, can be tricky.

But it was on CINMAX HD last night. I actually thought it was quite interesting, but way over-the-heads for what I think was its targeted audience. Kidman was great, so was Craig, and the little girl. And I thought the FX were inspired. The story, I thought, was well told but, as I said before, the whole thing about dust, and alternate earths, didn't seem to enthrall my daughter (14). My son (5) who is totally into DC COMICS and the multiverse got it more than she did!!

One complaint, and I am sorry if I offend our British friends. The english accents of some of the characters made it hard for me to understand what they were saying. It got so bad I had to turn the subtitles on. Other than that, I give this move a solid B. It is kind of plodding in some parts, but over all, it was fun. But, IMO, not meant for kids, like my daughter, who think Hanna Montanna is god.

Rob

 

[Mr Light]

I saw the movie without knowing anything about it and absolutely loved it, thought it was a really interesting world. Then I read the books, which I wasn't as crazy about, and my appreciation of the movie cooled somewhat. Still, it's a good (not for) kids movie.

 

[JuanBolio]

I read the books first, and enjoyed them somewhat. The movie was okay, but its a shame they had to cut it short (as opposed to the ending in the book).

Its a decent series and I like the message, but not up there with Lord of the Rings or anything.

 

[Barbados Slim]

I only read the first book. Liked it and was ready to move on to #2. Then I saw the movie, thought it was a disasterous adaptation (switching the middle and ending parts, getting rid of the true cliffhanger of an ending for the movie's crap ending) and lost interest in the entire series.

I did like the performances, especially Dakota Blue Richards and Nicole Kidman (although her frozen face is so distracting).

The thing that bugged the most was how Lyra's cleverness and awesomeness was demonstrated by actions in the book but in the movie it was just all the supporting characters standing around telling her (and us) how great she is. That bugged. In the movie they made it seem like she had a special purpose, what with the gypsies telling her how special she is, but in the book she was just a tag-a-long until it became apparent that she and her alethiometer were useful.

Those details annoy me because I hate unearned praise placed upon protagonists. Makes them seem like Mary Sues, and reminds me of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, like the priest who hilariously tells that show's protagonist Dr. Rick Dagless, "You're the most compassionate man I know. And I know God." That kind of sentiment was all over Golden Compass.

 

[Davros]

I never read any of the books but enjoyed the move quite well. I am sorry that there are limmited chances of a sequal.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I never read any of the books but enjoyed the move quite well. I am sorry that there are limmited chances of a sequal.

I totally agree. And then you read that there is a new FAST AND FURIOUS coming out and you are left....wondering...WHY????

Rob

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

I have to disagree. I hated this movie. The action was underwhelming. The CGI effects were ugly. The ending was . Daniel Craig wasn't in it nearly enough. Nicole Kidman was terrible. (Between this movie, Australia, & The Invasion, I'm getting pretty sick of her frigid ice princess persona.) The idea of souls being separate animals that walk along next to people may work in a book but it just looks silly on screen.

The only thing I liked was the drunk polar bear. I mean, my god, every movie should have a drunk polar bear.

One complaint, and I am sorry if I offend our British friends. The english accents of some of the characters made it hard for me to understand what they were saying. It got so bad I had to turn the subtitles on.

Huh. I didn't have this problem. Of course, I watch a lot of BBC stuff already, so that may have innured me to many varieties of British accents. (Not all of them, though. God damn, I wish my DVDs of The Catherine Tate Show had subtitles sometimes!)

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Waste of a time watching it. It seemed largely set up for a franchise that will never materialize.

But hey, it had Sam Elliot as Sam Elliot.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

When does Sam Elliott not play Sam Elliott? (But then, when you're Sam frickin' Elliott, who could want anything more?)

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

But then, when you're Sam frickin' Elliott, who could want anything more?

How about...beef...it's what's for dinner.