The Golden Compass movie has been screening for a while now, but I have not watched it. Mainly, all the reviews I have read are screaming it's a watered down adaptation that sucked the essence out of the story. I like His Dark Materials, so it's a question of how I would react to a traitorous adaptation.
Really -- why spend the money to buy the rights to a good story, and take out the parts that made the story great in the first place. The Vatican was not happy anyway -- watered down or not. So, now you have a lesser film, and you alienated both the religious authorities AND the Pullman fans.
However, if it proves to be a slow weekend (not likely, since I'm working towards the best parts of Cyteen) -- I might give in. Or I might catch The Warlords instead.
Why watch it? Because I want to watch Nicole Kidman's malevolent serenity. Because I read what Manohla Dargis wrote in The New York Times:
Ms. Kidman has rarely looked more beautifully and exotically alien. When she first appears, she pours across the screen like liquid gold, her body provocatively shifting inside a shimmering, form-fitting gown, her gilt-blond hair and alabaster skin all but glowing. She’s the film’s most spectacular special effect (her wonderfully vicious little daemon-monkey runs a close second), and for once, the smooth planes of her face, untroubled by visible lines, serve the character.
But this has to be one of the funniest lines in a film review and ironically, makes me want to watch it for the murderous polar bears:
Among other things, I would have liked to spend some quality time with Lyra’s friend and protector the warrior bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Mr. McKellen), a gorgeous creature whose ferocity is, alas, tempered by his resemblance to some familiar cuddly polar bears. It is, I discovered, hard to keep your mind off the concession stand when you are waiting for Iorek to offer Lyra a Coke.
The Coca-Cola jingle is running through my head right now.
I've not read the series so I could enjoy it without having to deal with the pesky comparison aspect. Have heard mixed reviews from Bloggers, too; but no one denies that it is a beautiful film.
ReplyDeleteI saw it and feel ambivalent about it -- it's something to do if you're bored or need something to do -- okay, but not great. Kidman was good, though, I'll agree with that.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great line! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI do think it is funny that Hollywood blew it with this one. It is the books people are protesting, not the film when it comes right down to it, so I agree: If you are going to spend the money then make a decent adaptation.
Not that I ultimately care, this wasn't a film I planned on seeing at the theatre and probably won't on DVD based on the reviews. I couldn't stand Eragon, the movie and this looks to be one equally as bad.
I've not read the books so I can't compare but I was so bored by the movie. I liked Kidman in it though. As to the polar bears I just kept thinking of the cute German polar bear, Knut! :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair I'm still ambivalent. Should I go? *sigh* Some people didn't like the special effects though. You were okay with it?
ReplyDeleteDorothy I wonder if her performance alone can redeem the film though. Kidman has that knack for playing intense woman slightly unhinged. She was great in "The Others", I thought.
Carl I know. Makes me what to reach for a cuddly polar bear and drink a can of Coke! :)
I'm so glad I skipped Eragon. It was so wrong.
Iliana Aww. Knut. I love the pictures of him as a baby. But it was funny how he's turning green these days. ;p