The Golden Compass
Well, I went and saw The Golden Compass for Boxing day.
My overall impression is that it is a really fantasy film. I enjoyed it, even though some of the plot events were extremely predictable (like the rescue of the children from the Tartars after their escape).
I absolutely love the look of this world, which seems like a 1930s futurist fantasy married to the Arts &Crafts movement. Clearly there's no radio in this world, nor poison gas either. What isn't clear is exactly how the Magisterium works, whether it's only a religious group with a lot of influence or outright theocracy.
Likewise, exactly how the world is divided up politically is also unclear. Are the tartars allies, employees or subjects of the Magisterium? Minor point perhaps but it suggests a great deal of background detail from Northern Lights (which I haven't read) didn't make it into the film. Not that such is crucial to watching the film, but I expect a lot of "they murdered it!" responses from people who have.
OK, a more crucial plot problem. The Magisterium appears to have conflicting goals - destroy the creativity and rebelliousness of subjects by destroying their souls, and to break through to (and control) alternate worlds by using the inventions of one of their heretic opponents.
The first seems like a very clumsy anti-religious metaphor. The second seems maybe even usable, but if that were the case why try and poison that heretic inventor at the start of the film?
Loved seeing Sam Elliot, Tom Courtenay and Christopher Lee in the film (though maybe after Count Dooku and Saruman maybe Lee's getting typecast). Noticed similarities with other films like a collapsing bridge (Fellowship of the Ring) and Mrs Coulter's revelation (Empire Strikes Back).
Look forward to seeing film #2 next boxing day.