The Golden Compass

I was deeply impressed by Philip Pullman’s, His Dark Materials series so needless to say, my expectations for the movie were tremendously low. Of course, this movie did not fail to be a magnificent insult to Golden Compass fans everywhere.

Let’s get the good stuff out of the way. The movie was very well cast and superbly acted. Even old frozen-face Kidman put in a decent performance. The action sequences weren’t awful and although I hate most CG crap, the big polar bear fight was the only point in the movie that moved me to do something other than look at my watch--I think I actually gasped.

Ok that’s done, let’s talk about why it sucked so very, very hard. Other than pointing out that they didn't bother to follow the correct time line (and I still can’t figure out why they chose to do that), I think I can best express my problem with the film this way way; it simply did not take itself seriously enough. There are scenes in the book and throughout the series that are gripping, heart-wrenching, dark, terrifying, and genuinely thought-provoking. I cannot attach any of those adjectives to this movie. I can say they made this movie for kids, people that choose not to read, and dolts. If you haven’t read the books, do. Don’t expect surfacy Harry Potter (not trying to knock Rowling, I love me some HP), these books go considerably deeper. If you’re apprehensive about the anti-religion undertones, (they kill God) I challenge you to read and decide for yourself. I believe it’s more about corruption and power than religion. I bet you'll find it hard not to get enchanted.