Comments on: The Golden Compass… The Movie http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/ The random ramblings of Micah Cowan. Programmer, musician, typesetting enthusiast, gamer… Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:15:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Micah http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24932 Micah Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:29:04 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24932 Considering how vastly better the Narnia movie was than the Golden Compass, I'm a bit surprised the difference wasn't greater. Considering how vastly better the Narnia movie was than the Golden Compass, I’m a bit surprised the difference wasn’t greater.

]]> By: Jim Jordan http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24904 Jim Jordan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:14:05 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24904 <i>Ironically, rather than make good on the “clear threat” to religion and godliness that churches across America seem to believe it poses, this movie is unlikely to do much other than to strengthen the faith of their parishoners, by fulfilling their prayers that God would keep people out of the theaters, and allow the movie to suffer an abysmally disappointing economic defeat.</i> Narnia did $65M in the opening weekend, Golden Compass opened with only $26M. God is worth a solid 150% increase! :-) Thanks for the thorough review. I was going to see it but I think I'll wait for the DVD. Ironically, rather than make good on the “clear threat” to religion and godliness that churches across America seem to believe it poses, this movie is unlikely to do much other than to strengthen the faith of their parishoners, by fulfilling their prayers that God would keep people out of the theaters, and allow the movie to suffer an abysmally disappointing economic defeat.

Narnia did $65M in the opening weekend, Golden Compass opened with only $26M. God is worth a solid 150% increase! :-)

Thanks for the thorough review. I was going to see it but I think I’ll wait for the DVD.

]]> By: Hyper7 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24689 Hyper7 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:09:18 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-24689 Well written review, and I have to agree that the books sucked. (All 3 of them) I won't even bother to go see the movie. Well written review, and I have to agree that the books sucked. (All 3 of them)
I won’t even bother to go see the movie.

]]> By: Micah http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23558 Micah Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:06:54 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23558 Heh. :) I should temper my comments about acting to say that not all of it was bad; Sam Elliot was a joy to watch (as always), and Ian McKellen (voice only) was great as Iorek. But the two that stuck out to me as quite poor were the ones playing the largest roles: Dakota Blue Richards, who played Lyra, and—disappointingly—Nicole Kidman; particularly when her daemon got its fingers smashed, and she had to pretend (unconvincingly) that her own hand had been hurt. Eva Green played the witch Serafina; unfortunately, she went for the "distant and mysterious" thing, which doesn't really involve acting so much as looking glassy-eyed and reading lines. :-\ I'm sure Christopher Lee would've been great, but he had a very small part, so not much opportunity there. The main problem with the movie is, it just didn't draw me in—even a little bit—to where I felt like I was captivated, or a part of the story. There are reviewers that disagree with me (though only about half, AFAICT from www.rottentomatoes.com), and obviously my own daughter (part of the movie's actual target audience) was delighted, so I guess there's that. Heh. :)

I should temper my comments about acting to say that not all of it was bad; Sam Elliot was a joy to watch (as always), and Ian McKellen (voice only) was great as Iorek. But the two that stuck out to me as quite poor were the ones playing the largest roles: Dakota Blue Richards, who played Lyra, and—disappointingly—Nicole Kidman; particularly when her daemon got its fingers smashed, and she had to pretend (unconvincingly) that her own hand had been hurt.

Eva Green played the witch Serafina; unfortunately, she went for the “distant and mysterious” thing, which doesn’t really involve acting so much as looking glassy-eyed and reading lines. :-\

I’m sure Christopher Lee would’ve been great, but he had a very small part, so not much opportunity there.

The main problem with the movie is, it just didn’t draw me in—even a little bit—to where I felt like I was captivated, or a part of the story. There are reviewers that disagree with me (though only about half, AFAICT from http://www.rottentomatoes.com), and obviously my own daughter (part of the movie’s actual target audience) was delighted, so I guess there’s that.

]]> By: DagoodS http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23554 DagoodS Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:41:41 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23554 Thanks for the movie review. The previews did not entice me to see this movie. But after the hubbub, and some Christians indicated their extreme consternation due to the depth of the story, the outstanding acting, and the brilliant production—my interest grew. Perhaps the movie was not as bad as I originally thought? This helped. A rental for my kids eventually; just like my initial reaction. Thanks for the movie review.

The previews did not entice me to see this movie. But after the hubbub, and some Christians indicated their extreme consternation due to the depth of the story, the outstanding acting, and the brilliant production—my interest grew. Perhaps the movie was not as bad as I originally thought?

This helped. A rental for my kids eventually; just like my initial reaction.

]]> By: Micah http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23462 Micah Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:07:09 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23462 Yeah, well, at least the Spiderwick Chronicles looks good. And Joy (and other members of the family) really loved Bridge to Terabithia. Yeah, well, at least the Spiderwick Chronicles looks good. And Joy (and other members of the family) really loved Bridge to Terabithia.

]]> By: Rachel http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23456 Rachel Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:12:28 +0000 http://micah.cowan.name/2007/12/17/interests/movies/the-golden-compass%e2%80%a6-the-movie/#comment-23456 Well, take heart....maybe in 2010 there will be a decent movie to go see with the kiddos. Peter Jackson has agreed to produce "The Hobbit". Well, take heart….maybe in 2010 there will be a decent movie to go see with the kiddos. Peter Jackson has agreed to produce “The Hobbit”.

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