Family event details:
We bought tix online this morning and caught the 11am show. We scurried to get all our bags etc. together and were fully “armed for war” in taking the 3 kids with us. We were surprised to see there was no line to get in and the usher taking our tickets said it was very slow yesterday as well. This left me thinking that either: a) The new theater across town got all the business -or b) The fundamentalist chain-emails decrying the film out there won. Regardless, it didn’t have any kind of wait and there were many seats left unoccupied once the movie started.
My thoughts on the movie:
Excellent “jump to action” right away. The “Magisterium,” commonly known to be Pullman’s symbol of the Catholic Church, reminded me of the “Empire” in the Star Wars saga: very identifiable as “the bad guys.” The evil Mrs. Coulter figure, on the other hand, is not as one-dimensional. I have a feeling we may see the audience empathize more with her in future sequels. The compass is really really cool. I imagine they will be making a fortune selling those to kids. The CGI animals are jaw-dropping amazing, especially the bears. Along those lines, make sure you don’t blink during the blimp travel sequence. It is as if you are watching a dream. The ending is the only let-down. It’s like an ad for the sequel. It is a good and convincing ad, mind you, but a definite “stop” in the action that for me was ok because my kids were getting unruly but for most it will disappoint.
My thoughts on the controversy:
We met a couple in the theater that had that “Magic-the-Gathering,” “Star-Trek Convention” look to them. they were huge Lord of the Rings fans and said they were excited to see the movie. After it ended they politely told us our kids were quiet (bless them for lying) and we got a real warm feeling from them. For all we know they were atheists in the spirit of Pullman’s philosophy. We are Christians and we attend church. So what? We both loved this movie. Whether they loved it because they thought a bear swipe was a blow to Christianity or “God,” we will never know. I will not ever care. What the movie showed me is that atheists and Christians can sit together in a film and clap at scenes that extol human virtue and decry mind-control. It might behoove a few atheists though to visit a healthy well-balanced church sometime (one example is HDC here in Victorville) and see that not all Christians are close minded and that God has set his plan clearly to foster the very ideals Pullman includes in his story. But I am not judging … just asking that I not be judged by atheists (you know who you are).
My son wants to see the movie again. He wants to rewind the bear fight where he says the bear got his jaw knocked off. I didn’t see that so if anyone else can clarify that, please do.
Thanks to all those who have commented on my blog as I’ve explored this movie. It’s amazing this is my 10th post on the thing! In the end, The Golden Compass a fun hour-and-a-half fantasy/adventure film with a reminder to not conform. If it would have had one single second that alluded to killing God, I would tell you … it doesn’t. Sorry to disappoint any atheists who were hoping so much.
6 Comments
It’s surprising that the movie theater was so empty! perhaps this movie won’t be the blockbuster I thought it would, after all! You did go to an early show, though. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! The bears in the previews looked incredible! I probably won’t go see it in the theater (because I hate movie theaters) but I definitely will rent the DVD when it comes out. I’m almost done with the second book in the trilogy. I don’t think it’s as captivating as the first one, storywise, but I’m still enjoying it! I’ll let you know!Jessica
i just saw this movie yesterday with one of my best friends. our theatre was relatively packed. i really did enjoy the movie. i found the lyra character to be very plucky and could only wish i had had as much courage at that age as she does. nicole kidman’s character was super creepy as was the lady with the bug eyes administering the intercisions. i, myself, am neither christian nor atheist but i found the story to be enticing. i like stories that stand up for free will, standing up for human rights, not bowing down to oppression whether it be by a government or a religious organization. i, too, thought the compass was extremely cool. i love the graphics when she is reading it. all that swirly gold dust. i have checked the book out from the library and should get to it this week. on a different note, i really like that one post you wrote about valuing a human mind regardless if the person is atheist or whatever. it really bothers me sometimes how so many stories, movies, etc bring so much criticism and controversy. i hadn’t even heard of this beforehand. it’s always this way-as soon as the church or another organization decries something, tries to ban something or keep people from viewing, reading, listening to something, it brings that much more media attention to it and thus more people to the product. well, sorry for the rambly post. i have been looking forward to your movie review and have enjoyed the posts in regards to TGC.
Thanks so much jehara. I had a lot of fun at this movie. I really appreciate your comment.
Just thought I’d share. And Agree. Thankyou for your review.
And Also, Just incase no-one has told you yet. Iofur’s jaw does get broken off at the end of the knife fight. By Iorek’s left paw. Well, that’s how it is in the books anyway.
Thanks Justin. My son will be so excited to hear he wasn’t losing his mind (I denied the jaw came off but apparently he was right!)
yeah, i had to avert my eyes when his jaw was knocked off. too graphic for me.