The Golden Compass

[eternal Zero]

With the moving up and coming, my roommate and I decided to buy the His Dark Materials trilogy a couple of days and read them before seeing the movie. The Golden Compass was the first of the set, and I'm already more than halfway through the second book. So discuss about the book or the movie or how you think it's going to work out in terms of production.

I don't know what I'll say about my expectations for the movie now, but I must say that the book was insanely smart and witty. I literally couldn't put it down. I was completely and utterly enthralled.

[Linearity]

I love these books. I read them about two years ago and it was like carrying a whole universe around in paperback.

From what I hear, the themes of religion have been all but excised from the film, and they were replaced with hackneyed themes of dictatorship. I understand why the producers decided to do that, but it's still sort of lame.

I'm still excited to see the movie, though.

[Fenrir]

I liked the Golden Compass, but didn't care much for the second two books. You don't get much more pretentious than writing about killing "God". Sounds like the premise got dreamed up by some angry fourteen-year-old atheist with an ax to grind.

[Wipomatic]

lol americans don't know what northern lights are

[Palpable]

lol americans don't know what northern lights are

Heh, basically. They should have called it "Aurora Borealis" - then we would know what it was! But seriously, I like how the title "The Golden Compass" ties the three books together.

I thought the series was excellent, though the third book is a little too ambitious and unfocused. I have no freakin' clue how they will turn that one into a movie, if they are getting rid of the religious aspects of the books. The first one should make a great movie though.

[Kureejii Lea]

lol americans don't know what northern lights are

Huh? They don't?

I'd never even heard of the book series before this. I have heard that the movie pushes its rating a good bit though.

[Zombie]

I cannot wait to see this movie! I read the books way back when I was in 8th or 9th grade. I was really excited when I first heard that a movie was being developed for The Golden Compass, and now that it is almost here... well... I'm excited!

[DragonAvenger]

I've heard the movie pretty faithfully follows the book, except the ending, which is most likely being saved for the second movie.

I can't wait to see this, I loved the first book, and thought the second and third were also very good (not as good as the first though).

I want a daemon!

[Tables]

If I see this movie, it'll be for the polar bears. Polar bears are sweet.

[Maco70]

I got a chain letter from my mother telling of how the movie is evil for suggesting there is no God.

See any strikes outside a theater lately?

I hate people.

[RealFolkBlues]

I love these books. I read them about two years ago and it was like carrying a whole universe around in paperback.

Definitely. Great books, and Pullman's a damn good author for world building, up there in my mind with the likes of Frank Herbert and Orson Scott Card.

From what I hear, the themes of religion have been all but excised from the film, and they were replaced with hackneyed themes of dictatorship. I understand why the producers decided to do that, but it's still sort of lame.

That is fairly wack, but I don't think that will kill the first movie. Hinder it greatly, yes, but not kill it. Pretty much rules out doing the whole trilogy, though. Meh. It'll be worth it enough for me to see Ioric being a badass on film.

[MasterSenshi]

Amazing how much pull fantasy movies have now, both pro and con...

I wonder, if this movie is successful, will it spawn even more controversy?

[Bigfoot]

I got a chain letter from my mother telling of how the movie is evil for suggesting there is no God.

See any strikes outside a theater lately?

I hate people.

All I've heard is that some Christian groups or something are upset with the movie.

[Maco70]

All I've heard is that some Christian groups or something are upset with the movie.

Sounds like my mother.

Makes me want to see the movie even more. =D

Is it really pro-atheist or are they overreacting as usual?

[MasterSenshi]

The author is an atheist, snopes.com has him quoted saying that it's a sort of anti-Chronicles of Narnia. He also has an interview on www.beliefnet.com if you feel interested in seeing his POV.

[Maco70]

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/227/story_22724_1.html

As you may have heard, Beliefnet has experienced a major "life event." We've been acquired by Fox Entertainment Group, which is part of News Corp.

Oh HELL no!

[Effef]

this movie looked good until they got to the talking polar bear in the trailer

it just ruins the whole thing

[Schwaltzvald]

this movie looked good until they got to the talking polar bear in the trailer

it just ruins the whole thing

Didn't you know..?

It's a sort of anti-Chronicles of Narnia

Wouldn't be complete without talking animals

[Azul v2]

It would be good if it didn't go out of its way about trying to kill God and was such an anti-religious story. I mean, I guess you atheist people would like that sort of stuff, but I can see why it would offend so many people.

[zykO]

oh you mean, all those awful little atheist people who are terrible for not believing what you do? ohhh

i think watching the movie because it is entertaining should be the only motivating factor. those polar bears look wicked. if you are going to the theatres for a religous experience, you are severely misguided, as it is.

[Arek the Absolute]

People protesting this reminds me of those who protested The Da Vinci code.

Get off of your high horse people. It is just a movie.

Protest this movie, you get praise by many.

Protest Passion of the Christ, you get ridiculed *this actually happened to my friend and others who protested outside my local theatre*.

People today...

[zykO]

amen brother

[Skummel Maske]

I saw a poster for this movie yesterday, I'd never even heard of it until then. Of course the poster didn't really draw my interest, but after reading this thread I suppose this could be a fun movie after all.

[The Phalanx]

All I've heard is that some Christian groups or something are upset with every little thing.

fix'd.

Also: I'm getting the books lent to me via a friend today, and I'm going to endeavor to enjoy these books. However, if it really IS as anti-christian as some make it out to be, then I dunno. I'm not a big fan of getting a message slammed into my face at every page; thats just ham-fisted nonsense, y'know?

Plus, I need SOMETHING to read until George R.R. Martin stops watching football and finishes his next goddamn book already.

[BardicKnowledge]

^The first book isn't nearly as anti-Christian as everyone (read: all the losery protesters too busy caring about a movie to help feed homeless people etc) wants you to believe.

There's certainly a case to be made about the 2nd and 3rd books in the series though....it'll be interesting to see what they do about the movies (if they get that far). Still, the books aren't so bad as to ruin the world or anything.