A Mess: The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass
Directed by Chris Weitz
Released December 7, 2007

I will admit that I may have been a bit too excited for this one. Even so, what an enormous letdown as both a movie and an experience. I read the books a long time ago, and remember liking them immensely but not much about the specifics of the plot. The first film (it is a three-part series, the second book is already set to be adapted for a 2009 release) does not do justice to the books in any way. Even grading them on completely different scales does not improve its quality. The mythology is explained in about two minutes, which hardly gives those who are not familiar with the world of the books gives you hardly anything to go on and makes the main quest of the film seem irrelevant and purposeless. Characters jump in and out of the story at an alarming rate, and their introductions are rushed and often incomplete. Nothing is delved into enough, and the film's relatively short runtime (under two hours) allows for little explanation or background. The polar bears are voiced by British baratones Ian McKellen and Ian McShane, which should provide booming characterizations for the bears but instead makes them seem all the more unreal. The polar bear fight is a massive disappointment, and its relevance is questionable. The lone action scene (minus the polar bear fight, of course) is immensely unexciting and poorly choreographed. The entire thing is a huge mess, and the film ends on a such a "Come see the sequel!' note that is is unbearable. Nicole Kidman, to her credit, delivers an impressive performance and far outshines the rest of the cast (which is a shame, given that "Casino Royale" alums Daniel Craig and Eva Green are saddled with dismal parts which do no justice at all to terrific characters from the books). "The Golden Compass" in its film version takes its fantasy setting too much for granted and certainly does not make up for it with action scenes.

C-

Oscar chances: Probably Best Visual Effects and maybe Art Direction or Costumes. I doubt anyone will be too enthusiastic about it. And I really hope the song that runs over the end credits, "Lyra", which earned a Satellite nomination, is not eligible for the Oscar. It sounds for a moment sort of like "You Will Be My Ain True Love" from "Cold Mountain", but after a few seconds, it is more like a throwback to Enya, which is not, I repeat not, a good thing.

Fantasy A Bit Much: Stardust

Stardust
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Released August 10, 2007

This fantasy epic stars out as a just plain bizarre old-fashioned fairy tale and becomes an even weirder and often inexplicable journey. The assembled cast contains members who have had some great roles but here end up in generally goofy and strange roles. Michelle Pfeiffer projected evil much better as a manipulative TV executive in "Hairspray" than she does here as a scheming, power-hungry witch. The most unexpected turn in "Stardust" comes from Robert DeNiro as a flamboyant captain who wear dresses while dancing around in front of his mirror. How he ended up taking this role I am not sure I will ever understand. The film as a whole is too light and adventure-y without really having any genuine substance. Too much is comic and the overall mood of the film is corniness. An attempt at a sparkling fantasy adventure becomes a messed-up, unoriginal fairy tale.

C


Trailer note: I am indescribably excited for "The Golden Compass". I read the books so long ago, but I remember enjoying them a great deal. And I see Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and a couple of armored polar bears. Count me in.