Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Movie Review: The Golden Compass
()
Let's get this out of the way immediately--if you are a fan of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, you will be disappointed by some of the elisions and excisions made in this movie. The degree to which it bothers you will largely determine how much you enjoy The Golden Compass. I won't get into the details too much since it would spoil the movie for those unfamiliar with the novels. Let's just say that--much like The Two Towers--the ending of the first book has been pushed to the next film and two characters have been spared from death.
The overarching element of controversy surrounding the books--its declared Atheism--has been entirely stripped away from the movie. The Holy Church/Magesterium of the trilogy has simply become the Magesterium in the film, and they are portrayed as little more than a powerful government hell-bent on experimenting on children and stifling freedom. They are far more Nazi than they are Catholic. Similarly, Lord Asriel has been denatured. The one-time architect of the destruction of Heaven is now just a rogue scientist on the run.
()
Support for LAist comes from
You might think by my comments so far that I didn't much like the movie, but this would be incorrect. In fact, I enjoyed it quite a bit. The depth and breadth of imagination evident in its visual design is so profound that I often found myself completely carried away in the story, oblivious to what was missing from the novels. The casting of the film is almost flawless. Though he is only briefly in the movie, Daniel Craig is an ideal Lord Asriel--brilliant, tough, unsparing. I'm excited to see what he does as his role expands in the forthcoming films.
Nicole Kidman shines equally as bright as the cold Ms. Coulter. She hasn't been this fiercely beautiful since Eyes Wide Shut and has never carried so much quiet menace in her smile. Sam Elliot and Eva Green are also perfect as Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkula (though their roles are significantly diminished from the novels). As the heroine at the center of the story, it would be impossible to improve upon the casting of Dakota Blue Richards. In her first film, she is the equal of every actor with whom she shares the screen--no small feat considering the power of Craig, Kidman and Ian McKellan (as the voice of the panserbjorne, Iorek Byrnison).
Back to the visual design--new ground is broken in The Golden Compass. The CGI artists have truly created a world that is ours but not ours. The rendering of the daemonsis seamless. Even in scenes where crowds fill the screen, there is never a lack of individuality in each creature. I had expected to see your typical CGI army of animals--think any battle scene in Lord of the Rings--but the composition here is much more random and real. Another issue that originally concerned me--Lyra's reading of the alethiometer--is a wonder in how it weaves together her thoughts with Dust to create something purely cinematic and not just visual exposition.
It's the dichotomy between the stripped-down story and the overwhelming visual canvas that is ultimately so frustrating about The Golden Compass. I certainly recommend the movie, but I'm left wondering how much better it could have been if New Line had the guts to make a movie that was closer in spirit to the novels. Certainly, all adaptations require changes and reductions, but I think writer-director Chris Weitz may have cut this one a little too close to the bone. I can't imagine anyone actually being offended by the treatment of religion in this movie. In the final summation, that may be its biggest weakness.
Photos courtesy of New Line Cinemas
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist