Movies

Bit of a mammoth task to review, due to some of the controversy behind this film (and more so from the original books). Some of the deeper side of that I may address in my http://thoughts.gatting.org blog.

But to cover the simpler side of reviewing this film… A friend mentioned to me that she had heard that Nicole Kidman’s acting in this film isn’t great. I think to say that would probably be to misunderstand the character. And perhaps that the film is probably marketed more towards children. That character has a certain playful darkness to it, a little like Willy Wonka, although more dark and less playful probably!

The film is of course interesting and visually impressive, which ticks a couple of boxes for me. Besides all the more obvious controversial and yet also morally confusing aspects of the film (daemons – the spirit animals that every human has – and witches being good, whilst the Magisterium – a word normally used to describe a teaching authority of the Roman Catholic church – are portrayed as the enemy) there are a few other issues I have problems with.

The lead character, Lyra, a young girl is sometimes good and sometimes arrogant. She seems to be encouraged, and encourage herself to not listen to what she is told to do. I think where children have good parenting and good teaching, they should be encouraged to listen to instructions given to them. I think it is not until children are more aware of the people around them and the effect their actions might have should they be encouraged to challenge the system they’re a part of. (That in itself might be a hugely controversial subject that should not really be discussed here!)

Also I believe none of the characters are given enough depth that you really feel much affinity for them or know the passion that drives them. As said previously it is entertaining to watch. And even I was tempted to want to see a sequel to the film because of the way it ended leaving not a huge amount tied up. (Hopefully that feeling will pass – particularly if a sequel is never made!)

I give this film a 5/10.

I found a really interesting article on the film on the Time website, which addresses some of the religious issues. As to Pullman’s comments about the Lord of the Rings and Narnia films I think the stats do the talking (courtesy of http://uk.imdb.com):

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Gross
$291,709,845 (USA) (7 May 2006)
£43,641,024 (UK) (19 February 2006)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Gross
$314,776,114 (USA) (16 December 2003)
£65,299,000 (UK) (4 August 2002)

The Golden Compass
Gross
$70,083,519 (USA) (2 March 2008)
£25,771,648 (UK) (27 January 2008)

I think while the books may have been hugely successful (particularly in the UK), I think when it comes to big budget family films, people prefer a story that sounds familiar. Not just because they’ve read the story as little children, but because the story itself is something that resonates within them; that it gives them hope in a world that often needs hope; hope in a believable yet mystical format.

What do you think?

Well I’ve got a lot of catching up to do on film reviewing so I’m gonna try and knock these ones out quickly.

First, “The Good German” with George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. Directed by Steven Soderbergh who did “Out of Sight” and the “Ocean…” films with Clooney. I quite like the feel of the film – it’s done entirely in black and white, interspersed with actual film footage of post-war Germany (I can only assume). It’s acted well and the story is interesting to an extent but I’m not sure it’s one I’d choose to watch with friends. A good one for a daytime watch during the weekend or a weekend evening in alone. I give it 6/10.

Next “Rocky Balbao” – I don’t think I need to tell you who the main actor is in this one?? I watched in on a Saturday morning when I woke up far earlier then I wanted to! It’s a good fun film… however I really like it’s message of what it truly means to be a hero. Someone who is able to take the “punches” (apologies for the punn) of life and to still keep going. Many films say it very subtly but this one is quite clear about that message which I really respect. 7/10.
Finally, “Lions for Lambs“, which I watched projected on to my living room wall with a friend. (Bit of a weird one for that!) Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford are the big dogs in this one. But I also liked the performences of some of the younger actors that I think had minor parts in several other films I’ve seen before. Thought provoking film about America’s military action in the Middle East and the public opinion of the politicians behind it. Having said that it’s not so heavy that a fairly non-intellectual person like me couldn’t follow it along. (There’s a bit of war action included for the guys that need that in a film to enjoy it!) It makes you think about quite a few issues and not just the war. The big stars play characters that are just familiar enough to make you feel comfortable but just slightly different enough to encourage you to challenge your thinking on the relevant issues. A good one to watch with friends – I had an interesting discussion afterwards with the friend I watched it with. 7/10.

Well my first post on this movie blog. I watched a few films this weekend (The Good German, Rocky Bilbao and Lion for Lambs) so will hopefully get a few reviews up shortly. Keep posted!