I am in no way a professional critic, or even a good amateur, but there has been a lot written about the movie version of The Golden Compass, book one of Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials. I have posted articles on Gather and offered links to reviews of the books and the movie. And I have commented on other people's articles as well, voicing my support of the books and encouraging people to read the books and make up their own minds as to whether or not they should see the movie.
I was lucky enough to see a private showing of the movie, The Golden Compass, in Boston this past Saturday. The private showing was sponsored by a business group with whom we do business as their holiday family get-together. My husband and I took my 21-yr-old son and his girlfriend, both college students in Boston, as our guests, but most of the families had children under the age of 10 in tow.
First, let me say that I was very impressed with the movie. Although they had to leave quite a bit out so as to make it fit within a 2-hr period, the writers and directors managed to stay true to the overall plot and character developments. The CG was pretty impressive and, overall, the movie was visually stunning. It very much caught the flavor of the parallel world in which the story is set. There were only one or two instances where the sequence of events was changed from the book, and the actors, especially Nicole Kidman, really captured the complexity and ambiguity of the characters. As in the book, there was a sense that no one was truly evil or totally good, and that people were doing the wrong things for the right reasons, although misguided. Lyra's character sparkled throughout the movie, emitting just the right balance of innocence, integrity, honor, spunk and strength.
As I've pointed out before, this movie, just like the book on which it is based, is not "Anti-God". In fact, it is very pro-God, if you believe that God represents love of truth, love of fellow living things, and a commitment to do the right thing, no matter what earthly forces are working against you. And if you like to see movies, albeit fantasy, that extoll the best aspects of human behavior, then you and your children should see this movie. In fact, you should read the books, then see the movie, because it will mean even more to you.
The one caution I would like to make is that you need to be aware that Pullman wrote these books for older children, young adults and adults. They contain some pretty complex ideas and some pretty graphic and intense scenes, as does the movie. Even though young children will be oblivious to the complex ideas, the characters and action can be too mature for them. Iorek, the exiled bear king who helps Lyra on her quest, is no cuddly teddie. He is a polar bear - huge, powerful, threatening at times, and, well, violent. He thrives on war and the battle scene between Iorek and the false bear king can be frightening to very small children, as is the scene when Lyra almost has her daemon cut from her. There were quite a few young children in the theater that I noticed who had their faces covered or their heads buried during those scenes.
On the positive side, there were middle-school-age children that I noticed while coming out of the theater who were all excited and could not stop talking about this and that aspect of the plot. This really is for kids, I would say, 10 and older. If you have a rather mature 8- or 9-yr-old, then you may decide they can handle it. Of course, a lot of parents take their very young children to movies like Spiderman, in which there is extreme violence. Even though I don't condone that, the violence is among adults and it is something very different for a child to view another child or animals in similar circumstances. Maybe because they can relate better to them and it is much scarier.
Overall, we were all pleased with the movie in my family and would recommend it heartily. But, do try to read the book first - it will make it so much more meaningful. Can't wait for The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass now!
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 33
I was EXTREMELY surprised at how good it was! I think your critique was precise. The ideas are difficult for young children to understand. The animals aren't the cute cuddly variety. The violence was graphic. But, as a 24 yr old, I loved it. I loved the fantasy (usually I hate fantasy). I loved the ideas. I loved the good vs. evil ambiguity. I bought the book to read it now. I can't wait.
Good review.
I can't wait for the next (The Subtle Knife, I thought) and it was set up perfectly although I was also not ready for it to end.
As a quick aside to those parents who may not want to take their children to this film, the previews that were shown, in my mind, were of movies that were much more objectionable for young children than The Golden Compass ever would be. First, they showed clips from movies coming out, supposedly for kids, that included "Sex and the City" and one about a dad and his daughter searching for her mom amongst all the women he's screwed in the past, that were totally NOT for kids. Need I say anything about "Sex and the City"? and the one about the little girl, well there were a couple of clips where dad tries to explain the meaning of a "threesome" to her. I really don't understand the hubbub about The Golden Compass when THIS is what they are peddling to kids in previews!
Actually, Lainie, the movie ended just short of how the book actually ends. I won't give it away to you, but I can see why they stopped there with the plot. It would have been a bit of a downer had they carried the plot out to its 1st book conclusion. Better to end on the up-beat, I guess, in Hollywood land. The book, however, it so much more suspenseful in its ending.
I'm waiting to see if "Atonement" ever comes to a theater near me. I liked the book and want to see how Hollywood's messed it up.
If Pullman is trying to say anything in relation to god, it is in relation to how god and what he/she really stands to how organizaed religion has totally squelched what god is for the purpose of manipulating and controlling its members. THAT is why all these church leaders have a problem with this movie and the books. The church had a problem with Copernicus, too, because what he said was in direct opposition to what the organized church taught. It had NOTHING to do with god or spirituality. Please don't buy into the propaganda.
I gave up arguing in the end!
The Pullman books have been popular in the UK - and I bought the trilogy, as each book was released, for my children. I have since bought the books for umpteen young adult/teenagers who have all enjoyed the books.
Personally, I think Pullman is a better writer than JKR!
And it is amazing how many supposedly well-educated people denounce books without having read them.
Could you explain that last comment, George? Why, if you see nothing harmful in this movie, would you ever want people to keep their children away from it? Does it not exemplify good qualities of love, honor, loyalty, friendship, and trust?