Film Review: The Golden Compass

Probably many of us can relate: You are into this really awesome book or book series, one that isn't really of household-name popularity away from literary enthusiasts, and you hold this hope in the back of your mind for years maybe, that it will eventually be made into a film. But of course when you find out that they're going to, your reaction is a mix of excitement and anxiety. The Golden Compass is a novel that is dear to my heart on more levels than one: I was captivated by the sheer level of fantasy when I read it as a kid, and now after rereading it in my adulthood am downright astonished at its unexpected facets of intellectual sophistication mixed with a mysteriously effortless depth of emotion, both of which appeal as a shot to the heart to some of the more paining questions of the human condition. I accepted early on that a film simply could not duplicate the unique sense of purity that Pullman gave his characters. I will say that the film adaptation at least tried. (warning: spoilers for the movie as well as some small aspects of the book series behind the cut.)( Read more... )