just seen the golden compass and...

I see your point, and I realise that you need to compromise a lot when adapting a book into a film. However, I just felt that it was done badly in this case - it followed too much of the storyline without capturing the essence of the book, in my opinion - graphics were fabulous but the characters all felt empty and undeveloped. For example, the Lord of the Rings films are not entirely faithful to the book but the spirit and tone of the books are spot on, and the characters presented beautifully.

I don't mind the moving around of plot as long as the finished product makes sense or there is a point to it. But to me, I felt it was pointless moving the last 3 chapters into the next book. Your 'fresh in the mind' idea is fair enough, but I personally feel that it will really ruin the dramatic impact of the second book, where it begins in a completely new place, with new characters, and the events a direct consequence of the last 3 chapters in NL. I also feel that the ending of the film felt very lucklustre without the majestic climax of the 'bridge to the stars'. The film should have been building up to that moment, but it then suddenly swerved downwarRAB. I think it will be just anticlimatic to begin the next film from such a dramatic point, instead of the gradual buildup of drama in the book.

Also, the whole point of the title "Northern Lights" was the ending where the aurora plays a crucial part - it's a bit nonsensical without the ending (although this doesn't matter as much considering they changed the title. :rolleyes: ).

I think if they had kept the original ending and the film was 30 minutes longer, I would have been much happier about it.
 
The Golden Compass: 3/5

OK fantasy, I liked the part in the cold North with the polar bears. Dakota Blue RicharRAB improved as the film went on. Though at the start she's really not very good, and even has a different accent to the rest of the film, so I guess thats not saying much.
The anti religion/church apsect of the book appeared toned down (I havent read it), I found the chirpy cockney kiRAB annoying though. Religion/church is not mentioned in the film so the kiRAB are just taken to an "institution" of some kind :confused:

Would it help to read the book?
 
Pro points:
- good action scenes
- good interpretation of the parallel world; loved the Oxford scenes
- superb sets
- exquisite, creative costumes

Bad points
- disjointed plot, bumbling progression from one scene to another
- Lyra - not convincing, rubbish actress
- characters telling the story instead of us seeing the story happen
- poor, intrusive soundtrack.

A mixed bag, but I enjoyed it, on the whole.
 
My 2p: Whilst flawed, it wasn't at all bad. Beautiful visuals (everything seems just the right level of 'not right') and excellent casting... But it did seem as if they filmed a larger, deeper version of the film, and then furiously edited it to pieces in order to get it in at under two hours. I'd not be suprised to see mahoosively extended cut someday.

The screenplay was also very scrappy and superficial.. and here's what I found out today (which I'm sure you all knew anyway): The original screenplay for the film (which was rejected an replaced with a rather workmanlike version) was written by Tom Stoppard. WTF?

Oh, the fact that last three chapters of the book have been removed from the film for no apparent reason leaves the story (as Empire would have it) to peter out without any satisfactory endi...
 
That's exactly it.

Interesting, and makes sense; it was a bit of a squeeze and the bits they had to leave in, for the sake of the narrative, would have worked better as part of a bigger, longer story. There was a hooj directionless lull in the middle of the film.


lol :D you clever goose!
 
There's not a lot of anti-religious stuff in the first book. In some ways there is more in the film, if you understand which of the principle adults are working for/with the church.
 
YES!

The book is far more coherent and actually has a totally different focus to the film. It will also help you understand bits of the film that make no sense (the capture of Lord Azrail scene, for instance).

The book Northern Lights is all about the ending; everything in it is geared towarRAB the revelation of dust, the oppression by the church and the bridge into the other universe.

In contrast, the film (by not including the same ending as the book) seems to focus on Lyra discovering who she is - even though this is mentioned early on in the book!
 
The ending was horrendous. Big boomy music blaring: "D'you get it? We're wrapping it up now, it's about to finish... don't leave your litter in the stalls!"
And Lyra's never-ending monologue, transl "We shall be getting into all sorts of scrapes in the next film, so stay tuned, and watch next time we play Go-o-o-olden Compass"!

Very ropey.
 
This was on Dark Horizons website about The Golden Compass box office around the world:

"Certain films always play significantly better outside America than they do domestically and vice versa. US audiences love superhero movies and teen comedies, but neither translate particularly well overseas. They also love Jason Bourne far more than anyone else, but overseas even the weaker James Bond incarnations have kicked Bourne's ass.

On the flipside, fantasy films and historical epics rarely do well within the US but often do gangbusters overseas. Famously "Troy" took in only about 80% of its $175 million budget domestically, but it more than doubled that amount from foreign grosses alone for example.

Now, New Line Cinema's "The Golden Compass" which many had written of as one of the biggest flops of last year, has found its salvation in foreign audiences. The $180 million-budgeted family film has made just $67 million in its six-week run so far domestically, but its more than quadrupled that amount overseas with a still growing $234 million haul that shows no sign of slowing.

Adding them together, the project has crossed the $300 million mark in global ticket sales. The film has proven particular popular in the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea and Australia whilst it still has yet to open in Japan. The take certainly closes the wounRAB that the underwhelming domestic haul had caused, but aren't enough to ensure a sequel. "
 
Just watched this and thought it very good once it got going & you got used to the story universe (demons etc– reminded me of the lord of the rings (single remaining compass – voice of Ian McKellen, snowy mountains etc) will make a great Xmas day film in a few years – how many films do you think they will make out of the books?
 
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