Golden Compass--wimp out?- Page 2

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 10:44pm

The biggest problem with the movie was that it had a bad habit of reminding you that it was a preposterous kid movie. The director didn't lend it enough gravitas so you were continually aware that you were watching something about talking polar bears and witches. Just when you were starting to get into it something silly would happen. What gives the book its pathos and credibility is that the story has a lot of bite and immediacy--it has something "real" to say. Even the talking polar bears present an ecological message. At every turn they removed the message and pain of the story and all that was left was the cute fantasy. Bad, bad, bad idea.

Not even just removing the overt reference to religion... they let Billy Costa (Tony Makarios in the book) live. They cut the ending. They softened the bite at every turn. Lord of the Rings was a huge success because Peter Jackson raised the stakes!

The sequel movies would correct this since the plot hinges on the theological ideas and everything gets more serious. I really hope they get made (and maybe a new director would be brought in...). I've read that New Line sold off the overseas rights to cover their asses and didn't make money off of the movie... does anyone know if they actually made money?

PS, papa, the books ARE pretty popular outside of America. The movie made a lot of money overseas.

[roquat]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 11:09pm

Yes, New Line considers the movie a terrible flop because they sold the overseas rights. Really, though, it would have been incredibly tough for them to recoup a $200 million budget even if they hadn't done that.

You're right, Roninjoey--although I'd say that making this as a "kid's movie" at all was a bad mistake. LORD OF THE RINGS could afford to go muddy and bloody because it never pretended to be for children. The most effective sequence in GOLDEN COMPASS, and the one closest in spirit to the book, was the ice-bear confrontation, which was definitely a grown-up moment (there were screams and gasps in the theatre when I saw it). If they'd gone more in that direction, they might have come up with an entertaining, coherent movie that ALL audiences would have enjoyed. All the ingredients were there, especially Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards--it just didn't have the "master chef" it needed.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 11:11pm

So true. A real director would have had the strength to steer the movie in the right direction. I guess it's a surprise the movie ever got made at all though.

That ice bear sequence is such a perfect example. Everyone in the audience jumps. If the movie had kept more of those sorts of compelling moments, I bet more people would have gone to see it.

[Pippin]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:18pm

this story says the film has grossed over $300 million worldwide.

I really hope it bodes well for the sequals to be made.

IMDB says that The Subtle knife has been announced, FWIW.
300 million worldwide