Golden Compass

[whyvon29]

anyone seen the movie? read the books? I'm looking for a movie to check out this weekend and wanted to know if it was worth my time. I read something about the movie being anti-religion. is that just someone's misguided take on what the author is trying to get across?

any input would be appreciated. thanks! Happy Friday! :banana:

[slam]

no, it actually is anti religious. at least, the books were. i haven't read them, but i've heard good stuff. obviously, they toned down the anti religiousness of the books for the film.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

http://friendlyatheist.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/automotivator6.jpg

[Soul Queen]

I read the books and like them alot.
I woudln't say that they are anti religion as much as I would say that religion plays a factor within the book. This is something the main character is running away from. Or in a better since is plainly unaware of.

Much like when we were kids, who really paid that much attention to church. A religious society happens to be the background of the book. There are things that people do in the name of religion.

I really want to see the movies. But I'm sure the books are way better. From the previews it looks like they softened some of the characters up. Plus it looks like they give way too much away about the plot.

One of the best things about the books is that you really have no idea where the story is going to lead you.

[mrjohnchimpo]

maybe spoilers below:


the books are definitely "anti-religious" although i would say they are in the same as The Chronicles Of Narnia are "religious' i.e., they're an allegory for atheism/humanism or a knock against the way organized religion becomes a gigantic trundling monstrosity in short order. in the books the church is seen as the bad guy which would be more of a knock against organized religion than against belief in any sort of deity although they somehow manage to depose "God" at the end.

however, looks to me like they just converted the book into a sweet action/fantasy movie with armored gigantic polar war-bears. i'd go see it. i also want to see it because so many people on both sides (religious and heathens) are freaking out about it, and i almost always (and i just say "almost" in case there's a movie or book in the future i freak out about heheh hedging my bets FA!) think that's dumb, but yet also somehow interesting, when a FICTIONAL movie or FICTIONAL book is released. :p

[mrjohnchimpo]

also, their god figure isn't really God...which they talk about...so they don't really depose God.

i don't see what the big deal about these books are.

[whyvon29]

thank you so much for all the replies! I think I'll check out the movie this weekend and maybe even buy the first book. I'll probably appreciate the book more after I see the movie. I hate to read the book first and then see the movie because I'm always disappointed.

thanks again!

[matty]

Yeah, I think I'll check these books out, too. Sounds interesting.

[LoveDog]

The author is an outspoken atheist. But yeah I've read that they tried to avoid blantant criticism of religion in the film.

[larryhead]

what is all this talk about plot???? is there crazy action?

i want the crazy actionnnnnnnnnnn.

[larryhead]

however, looks to me like they just converted the book into a sweet action/fantasy movie with armored gigantic polar war-bears.


ah.. there is crazy action, nice!

:banana:

[larryhead]

The Golden Compass’ budget is more than 50% of the total budget of the LOTR trilogy

yikes.. expensive.

[Soul Queen]

I bet is has something to do with Bloated Actors/Actresses salaries.
Sometimes for a book adapted to movie, I would rather an unknow play major parts.

well know Hollywood actors have lingering stereotypes that can't be removed. I think it taints the story abit.

[Lori Burger]

maybe spoilers below:


the books are definitely "anti-religious" although i would say they are in the same as The Chronicles Of Narnia are "religious' i.e., they're an allegory for atheism/humanism or a knock against the way organized religion becomes a gigantic trundling monstrosity in short order. in the books the church is seen as the bad guy which would be more of a knock against organized religion than against belief in any sort of deity although they somehow manage to depose "God" at the end.

however, looks to me like they just converted the book into a sweet action/fantasy movie with armored gigantic polar war-bears. i'd go see it. i also want to see it because so many people on both sides (religious and heathens) are freaking out about it, and i almost always (and i just say "almost" in case there's a movie or book in the future i freak out about heheh hedging my bets FA!) think that's dumb, but yet also somehow interesting, when a FICTIONAL movie or FICTIONAL book is released. :p

Religious or heathens??? Ha ha! :pokefun:

[slam]

laina and i saw this over the weekend.

would not recommend it, unless you just feel compelled to financially support anything that undermines christianity :>

the whole movie felt rushed. like, by the time you reach the epic finale, you're thinking "woah, this is a big battle, is this the end or something?" answer: yes, yes it is. and if you didn't know that there would be two sequels, the ending certainly leaves you wanting more.

they could have easily added another hour to this film, so that the plot made some kind of sense. you keep thinking "how do these characters care about each other so much, they just met five minutes ago!"

the special effects were pretty good, but i kept expecting the polar bears to bust open a coke and let out a sigh. there was one incredibly cool scene that had the whole audience going "oh, snap!", but i don't think it was worth the price of admission.

the theater was damn near empty. i don't think they're going to recoup their $200 mil. why do people keep putting nicole kidman in movies, and paying her a ton? what's the last good movie she was in, seriously?

[matty]

I liked Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. She played the part of a bad actress. In every way. I think she is super beautiful, though--that's usually enough for you straighties to give her an Oscar.