Friday 4 January 2008

Film Review

Last night I went to see The Golden Compass and was spellbound for all of the 2 hours. (That included three dashes to the loo because I couldn't stand the tension.)

As a piece of cinematography it was brilliant. The computer generated images – of which there were many – were amazing. How much better can they get? And what I found interesting was hearing that the acting had been done with the daemons by mime – the animals were added later.

It’s about six years since I read the book so my memory is hazy but the book is much more complex than the film, which rushes through the content with Hollywood style speed. Lyra was more confident and grown up than I’d imagined her to be as a 13 year old, but good none the less, and Nicole K as Mrs Coulter was icily believable. (Ws she wearing blue contact lenses? It looked like it.) As for Daniel Craig – well, need I say more?

I was on the edge of my seat all the way through, and so full of adrenaline when I got out that it was hours before I could sleep. But it was worth it, and I strongly recommend the film. A visual feast.

But as an animal lover, what I loved was the dramatisation of the daemons. Every room was crowded with animals reflecting the humans' characters, which made the film all the more fascinating. And Lyra’s daemon was cuddly, caring and brave.

If you want to check out your daemon go to The Golden Compass

And click on daemons. Mine's a tiger.

It made me think of our relationships with our pets and how close we become to them. And as I watched the film, I realised with astonishing clarity that Mollie is my perfect, essential daemon - or rather, she reflects certain aspects of my character and the others are assets that I wish I could have. (Oh, and she’s a girl and according to Philip P rules she should be a boy). She’s feisty, cuddly, stroppy, loyal, loving, competitive and brave.

I told Himself about this lightbulb moment when I got into bed.

‘Of course,’ he said sleepily and turned over. ‘That’s why I chose her.’

Readers, I hit him.

30 comments:

Beth said...

I can't wait to see that film - I loved the books so much! I saw a fantastic documentary yesterday - 'My Kid Could Paint That' - it was so thoughtprovoking - about the nature of art but really, about the media and how the media create heroes/stars and then needs to de-bunk them.

Flowerpot said...

beth - yes I loved the books too. Well worth seeing the film, purely for the visuals.

laurie said...

i bet you did!

i think toby was my perfect daemon. i'm not sure you get a dog like that more than once or twice in a lifetime.

i took the quiz, too, and my daemon is an ocelot.

Akelamalu said...

I hope you hit him hard!

I'll look out for the film, yours is not the first great review I've read of it.

Cornish Dreamer said...

A wonderful review FP. I think I'm going to have to see it now...although I'm guessing I'll have to wait until it comes out on dvd now though!

Poor Mr FP, i'm sure he meant it as a complement really.

Well done with the link btw. I'm v. impressed. ;@)

Ellee Seymour said...

I've seen the trailer and agree it looks fantastic. My difficulty is getting my husband interested in anything other than football.

Flowerpot said...

laurie - just trying to think what an ocelot is. What are the qualities?!

Ak - well, hardish! Yes do go, think you'll enjoy it.

RT - yes you'd both really enjoy it I think - and it's on in Falmouth for another week. Link is all credit to you my dear!

Flowerpot said...

ellee - would any of your children be interested? I cant remember how old they are but it appeals to a wide age range.

Philipa said...

Interesting review fp - I always like to see reviews from 'real' people (not that journalists aren't real, they just don't seem to inhabit the same reality as the rest of us sometimes) I've been a bit put off by the poor reviews and especially by the review by Peter Hitchens, particularly when considering taking the children - as a family we follow Christian teaching. I might wait for the vid unless you think it worth catching on the big screen?

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

I loved the books and the film. And mine's a tiger too - dependable, outgoing, assertive, yes to all of those, but I'm not sure I'd agree with modest and humble!

Flowerpot said...

philipa - interesting piece by Peter Hitchens though very long winded. I disagree with a lot of what he says. I'm not religious but I'm not anti- either. I don't know why people can't enjoy a good bit of cinematic excitement for what it is - a good story - rather than reading all sorts of things into it. I didn't think it flagged at all - 2 hours shot by and judging by teh other people's faces when they came out, they thought teh same. Vive la difference! I'd go and see it on the big screen if I were you.

Flowerpot said...

zinnia - glad youenjoyed both and glad to meet another tiger!

Philipa said...

Right-oh FP, I'm surrounded by my babes at the mo and when they saw 'The Golden Compass' they were full of excitement to go. Thankyou.

Em said...

I agree - great film. Saw it last week and thoroughly enjoyed it :D

Ironically, my daemon came up as a spider. I have arachnophobia... oh well..

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I am not sure whether to see it. I loved the books and know Ian will not be that interested in the film. Really dont want to spoil my enjoyment but it does sound good! I did the daemon too and I am a Siberian tiger, is that like you? Naturally I didnt mind!

the rotten correspondent said...

I hope you hit him with a cornet. Or better yet a cornet case.

I'm going to have to wait a bit to see what my daemon is. As soon as my kids heard video game music I had lots of company!

Elaine Denning said...

I really want to see the film...the review looked amazing.

I'm a snow leopard.

Both my cats are boys and are complete oppossites to each other, yet both of them reflect the different parts of my character. Interesting stuff.

Flowerpot said...

Em - glad you enjoyed it but sorry about your daemon! In fact I;ve done the quiz several times - a few months ago - and each time my daemon comes up as something else. So perhaps try it again?!

elizabeth - very hard to advise on films as enjoyment is such a personal thing. Perhaps wait till it comes out on DVD?

Flowerpot said...

RC - I would have hit him with the cornet case but that would have meant getting out of bed. Be interested to know what your daemon is...

MissU - Lord Asriel's daemon is a snow leopard - talking of which, did you see that programme on them last night? Incredible. And fascinating about your cats! Bussie is male and complete opposite to me. Except that he's stubborn, too.

Flowerpot said...
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Philipa said...

I'm a fox!

hee hee, that cheered me up :-)

Flowerpot said...

Philipa - that's interesting. I'd love to know what all these daemons mean - unless you have one, you don't know!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't mind seeing that film myself. I think Nicole Kidman is very good and so attractive. I haven't read the book so i really don't know what it's about.

Crystal xx

Flowerpot said...

Crystal - I would thoroughly recommend the trilogy - they've been reprinted so in all the bookshops now. A great read.

Chris Stovell said...

Oh good - I've mixed feelings about seeing the film but you've reassured me!

david mcmahon said...

Came here from Akelamalu. Enjoyed your review and the tone of your writing. Now I have to see the film .....

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Great review, makes me want to go and see the film. I'm an agapicis and matched with an Ocelot. The description of me is pretty spot on too.

Philipa said...

fp - I'm listed as modest, sociable, solitary, humble and competitive and that's supposed to be Inachus the fox but I've now turned into a hare! Of course the quiz can't take into account my neighbours and I'm only all those things when I'm away from home, more than one night kept awake by the utterly selfish deaf TV and house music addicts next door and I'm psychotic!

Is there a daemon for that I wonder? I've got it! Bear with a sore backside - I must stop using the fluffy looking pointy leaves in the woods and get a new cave :-)

Anonymous said...

That's an interesting concept - now I think about it, both Prince & Tilly exhibit traits that I have. Both desirable, and less so...!

Flowerpot said...

chrish - i only hope you enjoy it after all that!

David - very pleased to meet you and please call again.

debs - an agapicis - what the hell is that?!!

philipa - those qualities are also supposed to be teh tiger. I smell a rat here - pardon the pun.

Graham - interesting what our animals say about us isn't it?!