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| Cast and Credits |
| Cast: |
Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Dakota Blue Richards, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Freddie Highmore, Kathy Bates, Tom Courtenay, Ben Walker, Adam Godley, Simon McBurney, Nonso Anozie, Jim Carter, Clare Higgins, Jack Shepherd, Magda Szubanski, Christopher Lee |
| Director: |
Chris Weitz |
| Writer: |
Chris Weitz |
| Rating: |
Rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence. |
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Reviewed By: Erin Cullin
Rating: 8.5/10
In 1949, Irish author C.S. Lewis penned, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", the first in an epic series of novels about the adventures of a group of children who found themselves magically transported to the fictional realm of Narnia. The series, known as "The Chronicles of Narnia", became a children’s classic, and were widely noted for their exploration of traditional Christian themes and ideas.
Fast forward to 1995, and another series of children’s epic fantasy novels were born. Penned by British author Philip Pullman, the novels follow the journeys of Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they travel across a series of parallel universes.
Of course, the 1990's were a very different era than 1940's. Pullman, an agnostic and an atheist, wrote his series of novels with the intention of challenging his readers’ views about faith and religion. Although the similarities between the fictional worlds created in the two novels are striking, Pullman denies that he wrote his novels in response to Lewis’ novels. Regardless of Pullman’s intentions, what is clear is the fact that it would have been impossible for Pullman to have such a series of novels published in 1949.
That is not to say that, even in 1995, Pullman’s novels made their way to bookshelves without controversy. The novels have long been accused of promoting an anti-Catholic and atheist agenda. In some cases, Pullman's books have been removed from library shelves. But, even in the face of that controversy, Pullman’s initial novel, "Northern Lights" (known in North America as, "The Golden Compass") has been proclaimed one of the ten most important children’s novels of the last seventy years by the judges of the Carnegie Medal.
After a slightly circuitous journey, "The Golden Compass" has now found its way to the silver screen, just in time for the Christmas film season. The film tells the story of 12-year-old Lyra (newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan who is being raised in the midst of a group of academics at Oxford University. One of those academics is her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), a scientist and explorer.
Although studious, Lyra is also something of a tomboy, who enjoys adventures with her best friend, Roger (Ben Walker), and a group of rough kids who reside in the town surrounding the university. In addition to her human friends, Lyra has an animal companion, or "daemon", who represents her soul. The companion, named Pantalaimon - Pan for short - (voiced by Freddie Highmore), changes its form, depending upon Lyra’s mood. At any given time, Pan can be a mouse, bird, cat or ferret.
Lyra’s world is governed by the Magisterium, an institution which will use any means necessary to ensure that its tenets remain unchallenged. Just as Lyra begins to realize that the Magisterium is a more sinister organization than it appears on the surface, her friend Roger is kidnapped by a group known as "the Gobblers". Lyra realizes that she must leave the university in order to rescue her friend, and therefore accepts an invitation from Mrs. Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman) to travel to London as her assistant. It is there that her voyage begins.
Prior to her departure from Oxford, Lyra receives a secret gift from the master of the College - a watch-shaped object called an Alethiometer - a truth machine that, in the right hands, can be used to answer any question. Armed with this special gift, Lyra embarks upon a journey that will cause her to cross paths with a group of nomadic Gyptians, an "aeronaut" named Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), an enchanting 300-year-old witch queen (Eva Green) and a fierce polar bear king (voiced by Ian McKellen). Along the way, Lyra will be confronted by shocking revelations about the Magisterium and about her own lineage.
"The Golden Compass" is the first novel in a series called "His Dark Materials". In that title lies the operative word - "dark". This film makes Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia seem like a trip to Disney by comparison. While it is a visually stunning fantasy piece, the film is, at its core, a thought-provoking drama.
The Golden Compass is a a film that struggled to make it to the silver screen. The project was initially announced in February 2002, by New Line Cinema, a studio which was still basking in the glow of the wildly successful Lord of the Rings series. Sir Tom Stoppard ("Shakespeare in Love") was initially commissioned to write the screenplay, but his script was scrapped after Chris Weitz ("About a Boy") approached the studio with a script proposal. Weitz was eventually hired to write the screenplay and to direct the film.
Prior to the commencement of filming, Weitz withdrew from the project. He had apparently become intimidated by the prospect of creating a film which would appeal to the avid fans of the novel, and concerned that the studio expected him to reproduce the massive success of the "Lord of the Rings" series. Director Anand Tucker ("Hilary and Jackie") assumed carriage of the project, but also left before filming began, citing "creative differences" with New Line. At that point, Pullman wrote to Weitz and asked him to reconsider the project. That was enough to draw Weitz back to the director’s chair, and filming finally commenced.
Although I must profess that I have not read Pullman’s novels, it was apparent to me from watching this film that Weitz’s approach to the novel’s religious themes must have been much more subtle on film than they are in print. I, personally, found nothing overtly critical of religion or religious beliefs in the film, although I suppose that there are undertones that could be so construed if one chose to draw those inferences. The oppressive entity that is the Magisterium could just as easily be viewed as representative of a political organization as a religious organization.
It was also apparent to me from watching the film that, in spite of his best efforts, Weitz must have struggled with adapting Pullman’s lengthy, challenging novel into a film treatment. At times, the introduction of multiple characters and complex storylines made the film a bit difficult to follow. This is a film that requires the undivided attention of its audience - if you spent the prior evening at your office Christmas party with a lampshade on your head, "Enchanted" might be a better choice if you are in the mood for a fantasy film.
Weitz was fortunate to have the support of a stellar cast to breathe life into his screenplay. Nicole Kidman is superb as the diabolical Marisa Coulter. Any doubt about whether she also divorced her acting talent when her marriage to Tom Cruise fizzled is laid to rest with this performance. Newcomer Dakota Blue Richards, the British-American schoolgirl who was apparently the lucky recipient of the role of Lyra following a casting call that attracted 10,000 young hopefuls, is perfectly cast. Excellent supporting performances by Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Ian McKellen, Kathy Bates and Kristin Scott Thomas, among others, all contribute to a film that is worth a trip to the theatre during this busy holiday season.
I have no doubt, as is often the case, that critics and fans of Pullman’s novel will find some cause to cry foul about The Golden Compass. Speaking strictly as someone who enjoys a good film, I have no difficulty recommending The Golden Compass. It is a thrilling dramatic fantasy, punctuated by stunning visual effects and supported by noteworthy acting performances. It may be a bit dark for the youngsters, but for parents of teens, this is one film that you might be able to enjoy together. If nothing else, they will leave the theater thankful that the golden compass exists only in the realm of fantasy.
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