Well. Seems like The Golden Compass is not performing to expectations, and the critics’ reviews are middling, at best.
Me? I rather liked it.
The film has its flaws, yes. As my friend Carrie Vaughn mentioned, some of the big reveals were handled better in the book–particularly Lyra’s discovery of what “intercission” really meant. The more overt criticisms of organized religion have been toned down, but not completely edited out. There is still talk of the Authority, after all. And it does end a few chapters earlier than the book. The filmmakers apparently thought the book’s conclusion a bit downbeat–which it is, really.
Even so, the acting is solid across the board, despite Derek Jacobi’s role being rather thankless. The art direction and effects are first rate. The character of Iorek Byrnison comes across as well as one could hope, and his battle with Ragnar is, by itself, worth the price of admission. Everything works in that scene. The score is also quite memorable, although I could have done without the Kate Bush song over the closing credits.
I’ve always believed it’s wrong to evaluate a film on the basis of how closely it resembles the source material from which it was adapted. That’s harder to do with a favorite book, I know, but it can be done.
I think this one may gain more respect over time. I will say that those of you who haven’t read the book are going to be very unhappy with the first fifteen minutes or so of the next film–assuming there is one. I hope there will be. I’d give The Golden Compass a solid three stars.
