The Golden Compass Film

[Muad'Dib]

[COLOR=Navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]I just saw a preview in the theater today for a film based on one of my favorite works of fiction - The Golden Compass. Needless to say, I was thrilled that they were making it into a movie, but also rather skeptical of how good said movie would be. As far as I could tell from the preview, they've stayed pretty true to the story (unconfirmed), and I saw several memorable charcters, including my favorite, the armored bears.

In any case, it looks like it could be a great film regardless of how much it adheres to the book. It looked very exciting and had some nice visuals. Since it was only a preview however, that's all I can say.

So, is anyone else excited? Have any information on the film? Think it's gonna suck? Take it away![/FONT][/COLOR]

[Johnny Justjohnny]

[COLOR=Gray]Can't wait. Gonna be great, or at least should be. Hell of cast; Dan Craig, Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, Sam Eliott, Eric Bana, and other great actors. The CGI, from what I've seen in previews, looks top-notch, and I've heard good things about Dakota Blue Richards. I'm definatly expecting a great movie when this finally comes out.

I havn't seen many daemons in the trailers sofar, but that's probably because the CG isn't quite done yet, but it's a long way till release and they got lots of time.

The books were amazing so, by that logic, the movie will be too. Hopefully this gets enough support for the next two books... especially the third, which has real blockbuster potential. [/COLOR]

[Sara]

[color=#b0000b][size=1]They're brilliant books; if the movie(s) is (are) half as good, they'll be in the upper echelon of modern children's films.[/size][/color]

[Darren]

Well, I've been following along ever since the project got green-lighted about a year and a half ago. Coincidentally, it was just after I had finished all three books. I can't wait any longer!!! But you say there's a trailer! O_O I have not seen this, only the movie poster... Hmmm, I must go and see it.
And I wouldn't worry about the daemons not being in it yet because IMDB has a list of actors and it's got someone playing Pantalaimon's voice, so...
Also, I'm excited about the cast, except for the hot air balloon guy. (I forgot his name) I saw a picture on IMDB and he just doesn't look like what I pictured in my mind, not that he won't be good. Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter and Daniel Crieg as Lord Azriel is alrady sounding sexy and steamy... Especially when it comes time to make The Amber Spyglass.

One thing this movie will clear up is how to pronounce some of the names from the book. I don't think I've ever pronounced Iorek's (spelling?) name right, and Pantalaimon as been giving me equal trouble... So at least That will be cleared up.

[Jiazu]

[quote name='Darren']One thing this movie will clear up is how to pronounce some of the names from the book. I don't think I've ever pronounced Iorek's (spelling?) name right, and Pantalaimon as been giving me equal trouble... So at least That will be cleared up.[/quote]

Yay for movies! I'm never quite sure how to pronounce names like those either.. I just watched the trailer, and the movie looks like it's gonna be really good... can't wait! I perdict large-scale boycotting of this movie by various christian organisations.. at least by amber spyglass...hehe one thing I've never understood is why people like that always BUY TICKETS TO THE MOVIE and then 'walk out' in protest... uh... you already paid for it... hello??

Now... to read the books again before I see it or not? What do you guys think?

[TheResplendent]

[FONT=Tahoma]I saw the preview for this when I went to see PotC: At World's End. I do not recall it from anytime in my past, though I figured it was based off of something. I havn't read any of the book(s) but the trailer certainly drew me in with the concept and the visual effects. It truly does look like the "next epic movie" and I've marked it down for it's december release. I'm not really sure what to expect from it but it looks like the imagination at it's best.[/FONT]

[Darren]

I just went and watched the trailer online... I'm so excited now! Although, I have to admit, I was a bit shocked when I watched the preview; I didn't picture "Lyra's London" so high-tech. The book made it seem to me to be more around the equivalent of our planet's early 1900s. After all, in the second book, Lyra even says that her planet doesn't have movie theatres. Am I the only one that feels that way? But it still look gorgeous and absolutely thrilling!

Anyway, BK, since you like reading, you should definately pick up the trilogy. It's a much (I don't want to say better) more recent trilogy than The Lord of the Rings, so I think it's much easier to connect to. And the elements which make up the story, are so great... But seing as this isn't really posted in the book section, I shouldn't really be talking about that. Just look into the series, written by Philip Pullman.

OH, and about the daemons: I'm so upset that we don't get to see Mrs. Coulter's (Nicole Kidman) daemon. That was my favorite one in the entire series. We even got to to see Lord Azriel's Snow Leopard, and I believe Pantalaimon... But no golden monkey!!! Why not?

[Wet Cement]

[QUOTE]I just went and watched the trailer online... I'm so excited now! Although, I have to admit, I was a bit shocked when I watched the preview; I didn't picture "Lyra's London" so high-tech. The book made it seem to me to be more around the equivalent of our planet's early 1900s. After all, in the second book, Lyra even says that her planet doesn't have movie theatres. Am I the only one that feels that way? But it still look gorgeous and absolutely thrilling![/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
It's a steampunk type of thing - it's not like their world developed exactly like ours, just at a slower rate. They came up with different things at different times than we did - like I said, think steampunk. I admit that I also had a more Victorian view of the world, but a sort of hybrid of the old and the new and the unique should at the very least be entertaining.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]OH, and about the daemons: I'm so upset that we don't get to see Mrs. Coulter's (Nicole Kidman) daemon. That was my favorite one in the entire series. We even got to to see Lord Azriel's Snow Leopard, and I believe Pantalaimon... But no golden monkey!!! Why not?[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
The monkey is probably harder to animate than the other two - I'd rather they spend a whole lot of time on a spectacular incarnation of evil than rush it just so that it'll be done for the trailer.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]Also, I'm excited about the cast, except for the hot air balloon guy.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
You didn't picture him as a cowboy in a derigible? 'Cause Lee has always looked a Sam Elliott-type of guy to me... Eliott isn't a great actor but he does one thing well - cowboys. I suspect he'll do a great job.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]They're brilliant books; if the movie(s) is (are) half as good, they'll be in the upper echelon of modern children's films.[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Children films...?[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]One thing this movie will clear up is how to pronounce some of the names from the book. I don't think I've ever pronounced Iorek's (spelling?) name right, and Pantalaimon as been giving me equal trouble... So at least That will be cleared up.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
'Iorek' is pronounced 'Yo-rek', and I think Pantalaimon's is said 'Pan-ta-LAI-men'... just call him Pan.[/COLOR]

[affection]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1]I honestly can't wait to see this.
I'm pretty excited about it and took the quiz on the site hahah. :)[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Darren]

[QUOTE=Wet Cement][COLOR=DarkOrange]
You didn't picture him as a cowboy in a derigible? 'Cause Lee has always looked a Sam Elliott-type of guy to me... Eliott isn't a great actor but he does one thing well - cowboys. I suspect he'll do a great job.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
A cowboy, yes. But just not him... I don't know why but when I read through the series the first time, I pictured him black, even though he was from Texas. (although the book makes that clear that Texas is the country, not the state) The second time I read through, I pictured him white... But younger and with less facial hair. Oh well, I've never seen him act, so if you say he does good as cowboy's then I'm sure he'll grow on me. It's just the appearance that throws me off. I guess it's kind of like the city being different then how I perceived it. But then, I can't expect it to alwasy look exactly how I wanted. :D

[vegeta rocker]

[QUOTE=Jiazu]I perdict large-scale boycotting of this movie by various christian organisations.. at least by amber spyglass...
[/QUOTE]


you do realize they are taking out the anti religious sentiments of the story right?

Thats why im so worried it will suck.

[Wet Cement]

[QUOTE=vegeta rocker]you do realize they are taking out the anti religious sentiments of the story right?

Thats why im so worried it will suck.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
No, they're not. They were originally, but decided to keep them in, although they're definatly toned down. For example: In the trailer, when Asriel is explaining how he wants to travel through the gate in the stars, one of the men in the crowd looks at him and growls "This is heresy!". The religious content is still there.[/COLOR]

[Darren]

Oh wait! I remembered why I pictured Lee Scoresby young: [spoiler]Because doesn't him and Sereffina have some sort of fling going on for a bit before he dies?[/spoiler]

Anyway, if they did take out all the "anti-religious" context (which, I guess you could still call it religious) I would not be watching it... I would be infuriated more so than the holy-rollers will be when they find out what it's about.

In any case, I don't expect we'll have too many people protesting until about the 2nd movie, unless there's some christian who's read the books and is able to sprad the word. Not that it isn't likely, but I suspect that right when they got to the blasphemous part, they would stop reading it... So who knows, I don't think it will be a big deal unless the movies turn out to be a big success, like Harry Potter.

[Wet Cement]

[QUOTE=Darren]Oh wait! I remembered why I pictured Lee Scoresby young: [spoiler]Because doesn't him and Sereffina have some sort of fling going on for a bit before he dies?[/spoiler]

Anyway, if they did take out all the "anti-religious" context (which, I guess you could still call it religious) I would not be watching it... I would be infuriated more so than the holy-rollers will be when they find out what it's about.

In any case, I don't expect we'll have too many people protesting until about the 2nd movie, unless there's some christian who's read the books and is able to sprad the word. Not that it isn't likely, but I suspect that right when they got to the blasphemous part, they would stop reading it... So who knows, I don't think it will be a big deal unless the movies turn out to be a big success, like Harry Potter.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange]
Dude, check out the IMDb forums for this movie; the Christian Ch-rowd has already caught wind of HDM. "Oh no! Something that questions our beliefs! Slay the heretics!" Funny stuff, can spend the whole day there sifting through the hate and the fanboism... check it out.

And I don't really know if Serafina's thing for Lee really means he has to be young; afterall, she's a few hundreds years old herself! Sam Eliott will make a great Lee... having a guy like Samuel L. as him would just turn this movie into another vehical for "Snakes on a Derigible!" jokes, rather than the serious movie this has to be taken as... having that kind of star power in what is essentially a supporting role would hurt more than help.[/COLOR]

[Jiazu]

[quote name='Darren']In any case, I don't expect we'll have too many people protesting until about the 2nd movie, unless there's some christian who's read the books and is able to sprad the word. Not that it isn't likely, but I suspect that right when they got to the blasphemous part, they would stop reading it... So who knows, I don't think it will be a big deal unless the movies turn out to be a big success, like Harry Potter.[/quote]

Well I didn't stop reading it... and I was really into the whole christian thing back then too... Actually, I got them from my (super-conservative christian) school library :) I was pretty surprised that they were still in there though, and I bet someone's complained by now.
And it will totally be a big deal...some people can be incredibly insane about that kind of stuff, whether it's a big hit or not. It's like the concept of 'if you don't like it DON'T ******* WATCH IT' hasn't really caught on in some circles... and the bad thing is that they give the decent christians out there a bad rep...

[Inkstitchling]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][QUOTE] [/size][/font][font=Book Antiqua][size=1]Originally Posted by [b]Darren[/b][/size][/font]
[i][font=Book Antiqua][size=1]Oh wait! I remembered why I pictured Lee Scoresby young: [/size][/font][/i][spoiler]Because doesn't him and Sereffina have some sort of fling going on for a bit before he dies?[/spoiler]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][/QUOTE] [/size][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][color=darkorchid]I didn't even realize that was Lee in the preview. So NOT how I pictured... although I read the book more than 4 or 5 years ago, so I can't quite recall how I [i]did[/i] imagine his appearance. [/color][/size][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][color=darkorchid]I'm incredibly ecstatic about the movie. The first I heard of it, a friend posted in her blog about Nicole Kidman possibly playing Ms.Coulter. She certainly doesn't [i]look [/i]like the Ms.Coulter I had in mind, but I think she'll play the part wonderfully![/color][/size][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][color=darkorchid]I also imagined Lyra a bit differently, but this little girl will do just fine. [/color][/size][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=1][color=darkorchid]If I don't get to see this in theaters, I think I will just about die.[/color][/size][/font]

[Sojiro47]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]Ok, So I'm a Christian, and I'm currently working on finishing the third book, [I]The Amber Spyglass[/I]. I love the series and am looking forward to the movie, but I'm afraid that [i]the Subtle Knife[/i] and [i]The Amber Spyglass[/i] will not make it to theaters because of how the church will react. I mean, remember how pissed they got when [I]The Devinci Code[/i] said that [spoiler]Christ had a child[/spoiler]? Well, imagine how they'll act when they find out that, in these books, [SPOILER]God is no more than an angle, and that angles can be killed.[/SPOiLER]

I cant wait for this superstar cast and the movie holding them to come out. It's going to totaly trump every other movie this year.[/FONT]

[Wet Cement]

[quote name='Sojiro47'][FONT="Book Antiqua"]Ok, So I'm a Christian, and I'm currently working on finishing the third book, [I]The Amber Spyglass[/I]. I love the series and am looking forward to the movie, but I'm afraid that [i]the Subtle Knife[/i] and [i]The Amber Spyglass[/i] will not make it to theaters because of how the church will react. I mean, remember how pissed they got when [I]The Devinci Code[/i] said that [spoiler]Christ had a child[/spoiler]? Well, imagine how they'll act when they find out that, in these books, [SPOILER]God is no more than an angle, and that angles can be killed.[/SPOiLER]

I cant wait for this superstar cast and the movie holding them to come out. It's going to totaly trump every other movie this year.[/FONT][/QUOTE]

I think that's exactly [i]why[/i] the Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass will be made into movies. The only way I see it not happening is if the Golden Compass flops - controversy sells. A movie that pisses off the fundies just means it gets more exposure, and people will either see it because it looks cool or because they want to piss off said fundies.

Besides, anyone who thinks that HDM is a dig at Christianity is a fool. The series is about organized religion as a whole, and how it binds and restricts the mind.

[Sojiro47]

[font="Book Antiqua"]Well, God knows I hope you're right. I know that there are people who will see it for sole reason that the Church disagrees with it. But there are more who won't, for fear of angering God. Not that I give a damn. I God doesn't want me to see it, He'll kill me on my way in. That's how I see it.[/font]

[Wet Cement]

[quote name='Sojiro47'][font="Book Antiqua"]Well, God knows I hope you're right. I know that there are people who will see it for sole reason that the Church disagrees with it. But there are more who won't, for fear of angering God. Not that I give a damn. I God doesn't want me to see it, He'll kill me on my way in. That's how I see it.[/font][/QUOTE]

Not really... most Christians hate fundies as much as I do. Half of them'd go see the movie just so they aren't associated with those sign-carrying nutters. Depends where, though - in the rural South, for example, I doubt it'll last very long in theatres, but it'll be intensely popular in the UK and most of North America. That's how I see it going down, anyway.

[Astraea]

I've known about this film for a while. Of all the adaptations and changes they could be making with it, I'm most curious to know what they will do with the religious side of things, especially if this is intended to be the first in a trilogy. The religious and literary allusions only increase as Pullman's story goes on. The books are excellent, and ones I have loved since I read [I]Northern Lights [/I](the original title of 'The Golden Compass') years ago.

I wonder how they will approach the topic of the daemons. I hope they're not passed off as pets or something ridiculous like that....

One thing I was surprised at with the casting, was that Asriel looked so young. My old mental picture of him was as quite a bit older, and Scoresby younger.