Informational Tech Talk: December 2007

Friday, December 28, 2007

Golden Compass - An extensive review

Okay, so basically it was Boxing Day and what better to do than watch a movie with some friends. Maybe get smashed. But we didn't have the means nor the need because we were going to watch the Golden Compass....despite my warnings that reviews for it have been disappointing.

Last time I ever let my friends take charge.

Well, in short, the Golden Compass is crap. I'll explain:

The film, based off Phillip Pullman's book 'The Northern Lights' aka 'Golden Compass', is directed by Chris Weitz of >insert multiple movies< fame. Oh wait. He doesn't have much fame. Although credited for his help in writing screenplay and scripts, he doesn't actually have much said experience when it comes to directing. And that would be one of the major flaws when it comes to a big budget movie such as Golden Compass.

The movie is constrained within a rushed feel as if the audiences need to come preprepared with knowledge of the book. This never allows the full characterisation of the cast who seem to be lost without definite command by the director. And of course if the script wasn't great the acting couldn't have been much better.

The need to please younger audiences also seemed detrimental to the film as there was a lack of religiouis depth and edginess. Or just lack of depth over all. What? Is it too confusing and hard to explain to teenagers on film than on books?

Phillip Pullman craftily inserted everything from the ideas of atheism to the authority of the Church and combined it in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. Chris Weitz took it and urinated over it...then added special effects.

So maybe if you haven't read the books and don't plan on doing so, then I would suggest you might want to borrow it on dvd only if you are bored out of your brains and have nothing better to do. But that would be like getting a razor blade and eating it compared to reading the books.

Rating: 5/10

Well that wasn't really an extensive review, I lied. But the advertising promised me a good movie and they lied.

Minor Spoilers below.
Some good points for discussion: Was it just me or was there an overabundant use of phallic imagery or ideas (oh come on when you saw those giant balloons you thought about it too).
When the bear says "So you want to ride me?"