http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx The transition from book to movie has always been a tightrope walk. An adaptation must touch upon just the right amount of detail to keep the film true to the book, without bogging viewers down with so much explanation that the movie begins to drag. THE GOLDEN COMPASS takes this latter obligation a bit too far, shaving Phillip Pullman&rsquo;s dense novel down to a lean, fractured, narrative that leaves you mulling more and more questions, long after the end credits have rolled. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2505 ok i didnt understand a word of that but i still want to see it needs50 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2505 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:02:35 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2510 cant wait to see it looks really good tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2510 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:09:26 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2520 I HATED the fact that it ended with an obvious, 'to be sequeled film'.........as if it were worthy of a sequel ! philram http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2520 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:42:39 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2521 I'd agree, after being very impressed by the books, but it's worth mentioning that New Line set this up to be a trilogy, as is so popular these days, and the screenplay writers and director watered down the first film on purpose. They wanted to gently introduce people to the world of Pullman's fantasy before hitting the themes hard. I don't expect much from this first film, but it can't be any worse than Spiderman 3. ;)<br /><br />Theoretically, "The Subtle Knife" will be darker, more streamlined, and will settle some questions left from "The Golden Compass." neurotictim http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2521 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:19:04 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2903 Can't wait to see it!! But I think it won't happen on the cinema, i'll probably go over to blockbuster. Fernanda http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#2903 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:18:21 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#3039 I agree the film was a mess and that the book (Philip Pullman being above all things, a good storyteller) was not done any justice in this department.<br /><br />I think a lot of the problems you point out with things being unexplained stem from the exclusion of the controversial 'anti-church' elements of the story. For instance, in the book the children are bieng separated from their daemons because the scientists believe this will save them from original sin - but that was obviously never going to get into the film! Kyrillion http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/10/THE-GOLDEN-COMPASS-Kofis-Take.aspx#3039 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:45:06 GMT