Yeah yeah, this is a late post. I promised a few weeks ago I’d give my two cents on this, and I’ve been lagging. Well, here it is, you whiners.
I had read all three books of “His Dark Materials” before The Golden Compass had even come out in theatres. This was the first set of books in a long time that I had insisted on reading back to back. Usually, I find myself taking a break from an author, or strictly following my list of books that needed to be read. In this case, I wouldn’t start another book, or even purchase one, until I finished the rest of them.
After finishing the books, I kept asking myself ‘How the hell do they intend on making this a children’s movie??’. These books aren’t in the kid’s or teen sections, you guys. They were on the second floor in the fantasy / science fiction section. Pretty much in the opposite direction of Goosebumps and The Hardy Boys. So after finishing the series, I was curious as to how they intended on turning this incredible story into something for PG eyes.
Now, that being said, everyone who has an issue with this movie or is boycotting the books or is claiming a corruption of our youth, keep this in mind. These books. Are not. Meant. For. Children. The first book of the series is by FAR the tamest. So if you think that they will have a negative effect on your 8 year old, and make them think that God is mean and religion is bad and moral beliefs are evil, you’re right. Just like that gangsta rap CD you bought them for Christmas and the Grand Theft Auto video games for their birthday. And that is no one’s fault but your own, Parent.
I won’t go into what happens in the 2nd and 3rd volumes of the series [mainly because many of you are still reading them and I value my life far too much to be bludgeoned to death by angry readers], but I will say this. The complaints and protests and arguments you hear concerning the book’s hatred for faith, the defiance of Heaven or the killing of God is nonsense. There is no need to spoil the books for those who have yet to pick them up, so I won’t share with you the stories regarding this. However, if you have an argument against these books, please read them, at the very least. There is enough garbage out there on the internet [this site included] without people cluttering it with more unsupported protesting.
All of that hooplah aside [seriously, folks, focus your efforts on something else rather than being upset about a book, like maybe an impeachment?], the movie was great. Armor wearing polar bears, witches with bows and arrows, and talking animals. Combine that with political and cultural commentary and some pretty kick ass CGI fight scenes, and you have a pretty enjoyable night at the movies.
Nothing at all compared to the books, but worth a watch. AGAIN, though, I cannot stress to you enough how great these books were, and how happy you will be once you read all of them because the story is so freaking great you’ll just explode with pleasure all over the place and be upset with yourself that you didn’t lay plastic around you because the pleasure explosion is so great and devastating you’ll wonder if you just attended some weird Gallagher show, but in place of watermelon explosions there are pleasure explosions. And who doesn’t love pleasure explosions?
I’d like to hear some of your impressions of the book, movie or controversy. I find the whole subject fascinating, and at the same time disgusting [arguing about a book that you haven't read and making claims about its diabolical nature is a pathetic waste of time], but I do really enjoy reading well thought out arguments.
And please. For the KIDDIES. If you’re going to spoil an ending etc, announce it ahead of time.
In the meanwhile, meet my daemon, Aspadora. Find out who your daemon is here!
January 10, 2008 at 12:57 am
Read the books like, fuck, 10 years ago. LOVED THEM. I dragged Melyssa to watch the movie last week or something, and we both LOVED it.
Frankly, I was surprised. WAY surprised. I thought it would be a too complex plot, too many new words and concepts but WOW. I fucking LOVED it. And the fight scenes? Orgasm. Those chairs will need to be cleaned thoroughly.
Are they making the trilogy? I heard the movie wasn’t doing well, and the ending was just enough closure of a “We can do it! We can do anything!” that it could easily go either way.
As far as the controversy, they can go blow themselves. My parents bought me those books, my uptight religious elementary teaching parents. There’s a reason it’s in the FANTASY section. It’s like burning A Brave New World, get over it!
January 10, 2008 at 2:45 am
Totally Random, but keep forgetting to ask: Whatever happened with you and Adsense? Make any beer money?
January 10, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I totally bought mine from the youth section. I’m not sure what that says about Williamsburg, but there it is.
I have only read the first book so far (I know, I know, I’ll get on that), but I have to say I very much disagree with the extremists railing against it. It’s a completely harmless storyline. In fact, I would probably let an 11-year-old read it.
The aspect of the book opponents point out the most is the fact that each person has a daemon by his or her side at all times. That these daemons are not only considered a part of them, but are revered and trusted above anyone else in each person’s life is appalling to them. As we all know, a demon in its most common usage is a negative being. Evil or devilish. But if you look up the definition of daemon, according to the classical mythology meaning, is either a god or an attendant spirit. I don’t know about you, but that sounds positive to me. I’m not linguist or specialist on the history of words, so I can’t say for sure how the our current definition came to be or if I’m even interpreting daemon incorrectly, but I think Phillip Pullman knew that he was using the word daemon in its most innocent and pure form.
And if not, fuck it. He created a story where children would not only learn about loyalty, but would also come to love a main character who is strong, likeable and determined … and happens to be a female. A rarity, for sure.
Also, I HATED the ending to the movie. I think Emily’s right that they ended it in a place where the moviemakers could easily decide not to continue with the trilogy if necessary, but that’s not a good enough excuse to cut the book’s storyline short. The actual ending to the book would have been amazing to see brought to life, but no.