The Golden Compass Book & Movie

[Danncer128]

Hey!

So I saw The Golden Compass a few weeks ago...I think opening week. I was very disappointed, but i still decided to read the book. The book is freaking awesome. I am only a quarter of the way done. Explanations are so much better, action isn't choppy, and I am no where near as confused. Has anybody read the series yet. Don't give anything away but is the series worth finishing, and is there anything left open at the end that you are dying to figure out. Let me know if you saw the movie too. Wondering what "already fans" of the series thought of the movie.

 

[morgaes]

I've yet to see the film, but I love the series.

The series is more than worthy to finish, the books are definately my top 3 favourite books. The first book is really just an introduction to the real story. Ahh, how I wish I could read them for the first time again. The anti-religious (it's more of a anti-organised religion, though, anti-church rather than anti-faith) themes get stronger as the story progresses, so you might wanna keep that in mind if that aspect is bothering you.

I've been hearing rather dreary reviews of the film, I'm pretty sure that it's most due to the studio meddling, but I've got to see it first to be able to judge.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Granted. However, in this case, they so watered down the message of the book that what could have been an interesting anti-church movie was made into a mere fantasy movie with a lot of stuff going on...So it came out as too dark for the kids and too fluffy for adults...

RG

 

[NineOfClubs]

I'm glad this all came up, because I've been thinking about reading the books.

Now, I know I will!

I'll probably give the film a pass...

 

[josher]

From a studio perspective the film tanked.

$ 200 million production and distribution budget.

$ 60 million domestic box office so far.

It has done better outside the US though.

There will probably not be any sequels.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

One word: Adaptation.

We get that it was an adaptation. What you're not getting is that while it's okay to combine characters, eliminate a lot of the plot, and basically do whatever you can to shorten it, it hurts the work if you pull too far from the source. Some works simply can't be adapted well into regular film format (see Dune), but others lose other things that make the work important or just fun.

The Golden Compass was basically castrated, as the points that made it an important work were censored. Profit is the usual motive behind any adaptation, but in this case the need for profit essentially nuked the movie by removing the soul of the work, which even a decent adaptation should never do. This was done to the detriment of the movie, which has only made $140M so far. Compared to the movie's $180 budget, this makes it a flop. Throwing the usual 2.5 at it (budget+marketing campaign, which is usually 1.5xoriginal budget), the movie will need to make $450M just to break even. It's becoming less likely that the movie will make more than a fraction of its investment back.

Worse, New Line made another major mistake with this movie: They signed away the foreign distribution rights, making recouping the investment even harder.

Originally, there had been plans for two sequels; New Line is really debating that plan right now....

RG

 

[snapcat]

I haven't read the book, but I enjoyed the movie a lot.

For me, it was a good holiday blockbuster. The special effects were awesome.

I just wish Daniel Craig had appeared more.

 

[zingerz]

I agree with most of the people here at least... : the movie sucked, and i was very disappointed. I can't believe they transformed into this children's fairy tale movie with a played-out theme.

 

[silversmith1213]

I haven't read the book, but I enjoyed the movie a lot.

For me, it was a good holiday blockbuster. The special effects were awesome.

I just wish Daniel Craig had appeared more.

I agree. I saw the movie prior to reading the books and really enjoyed it. It actually inspired me to go out and buy the books and read them. Of course the books were better, but I don't think they did a horrible job with the movie either.

Daniel Craig is oh so gorgeous with that sexy facial hair, but after reading the books I can't make myself like his character.

 

[denverbear42]

God You People Must Pay To Much Attention To Stuff. I Really Ejoyed The Book And Movie. I Didnt Really See That There Was Any Anti Church Or Athiest Things In It.