IESB‘s Andy Duke reviews The Golden Compass, beginning with all of the production’s challenges. He also states, “[Philip Pullman] has ever reason to approve of Weitz’s effort.” Ain’t It Cool News‘ writers have given the film mixed-positive reviews but express the concerns of fans for missing elements. The Hollywood Reporter calls it, “A golden celebration of childhood fantasies,” predicting substantial box office promise. Emmanuel Levy gives it B: “[Weitz’s] “Golden Compass” lacks a sense of magic and wonder.” Variety‘s Tod McCarthy gives the film a lot of credit, but gives the film more mixed review: “impressively rendered but oddly uninviting.”
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Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.
Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.
An interesting mixed bag… but I was totally surprised at the ineptitude of the Hollywood Reporter reviewer – you know Hollywood, as in movies…etc
He talks about ‘Gogglers’ – err, they’re Gobbler’s mate with a ‘b’, and in the final battle he talks about enemies being killed in a puff of flame… sorry it’s the Daemons that disappear in a puff of flame.
Obviously he hasn’t read the books, or he wouldn’t have made such elementary errors. But… either he was half asleep through the movie, or these mistakes reveal a drastic weakness in plot delivery whereby these points (and perhaps more) are not clearly presented.
However, I’ve seen nothing yet that tells me anything other than this will be a rollicking good adventure, even if it is a disappointment in delivering the heart and soul of the novel.
I do have the feeling that the critics who gave somewhat negative to blatantly negative reviews have never read the book. They are thinking insularly, like all fantasy movies should have silly wands swishing fights that look like fencing but is actually ridiculous and so corny you’ll just have to laugh at them. Magic? When they pertain to magic, what are they pertaining to? I don’t think it lacks movie magic, but, to actually look for staffs and cloaks and spells are just ridiculous. Isn’t that what sets HDM apart from the rest? A fantasy with its own elements, its own brand of fantasy?
Did anyone notice the Catholic New Service Review….
They loved it!
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/movies/07mv242.htm
Which is a bit of a surprise…
and check this, they write
“[it] can be viewed as an exciting adventure story with, at its core, a traditional struggle between good and evil, and a generalized rejection of authoritarianism.
To the extent, moreover, that 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.”
Since the emphasis of the entire trilogy seems to be the triumph of free will over determinism, I guess we have now have authentic proof that HDM is in harmony with Catholic (at least in this world!) teaching…..
Yes, free will! As long as you do what the Church says is right, of course.
Stuart – considering “Gobblers” is actually literally spelt out for you directly in the film, it’s just HR that have the problem.
Did you guys see Mark Morford (whose columns are a scream most of the time) at SFGate.com? He’s talking about HDM. He’s a fan!
By the way, that CNS review’s final assessment of “whiskey-guzzling bear” is too funny.