The Golden Compass

Mike and I went to see The Golden Compass last weekend, and I was very happy with the result. I love the books and so was a little nervous, as always, about seeing the adaptation - especially since most reviews agreed that it was too short. Mike tried to MST3K the whole movie, but he eventually got into the plot and shut the hell up.

Which... well, the plot is pretty complicated. Though I thought that the filmmakers did a lovely job of incorporating all of the most important plot points, it was much too rushed. The movie could have been better had they taken just a little more time to explain things further.

The Golden Compass, based the first book in a trilogy by Phillip Pullman, tells the story of Lyra Belacqua, an orphan living amongst the scholars of Oxford. But this isn't the Oxford of our world; instead it is a world where people's souls are manifested outside of their bodies, in the form of mammals, reptiles, and birds (and many more, I would guess). This being is a daemon. Children's daemons can change shape and make at will, usually depending on the child's mood, while adults' daemons "settle" once they reach puberty.

Lyra is soon thrust into a world of intensity, one in which the very notion of free will is being threatened. She embarks on a journey to save her kidnapped friend and meets a fascinating cadre of characters to assist her on her (unknown) quest.

Lyra is portrayed by twelve-year-old Dakota Blue Richards, one of ten thousand girls who auditioned for the role, and she is magical. She takes a very complex role, even for an adult, and makes it look effortless. She was the perfect choice.

Also perfect? The rest of the cast.

Daniel Craig portrays Lord Asriel, a scholar looking for funding to study the properties of "dust" and the ways in which it effects humans and the human condition. He's a bad ass. And beautiful. So, so beautiful.

Nicole Kidman, who was apparently hand-picked by the author himself, portrays Mrs. Marisa Coulter, an icy bitch of a woman whose intentions are sugar-coated with lies and misinformation.

Lee Scoresby, an American aviator, is portrayed by Sam Elliot, and is instrumental in helping Lyra begin her quest.

Eva Green wonderfully fits the role of Serafina Pekkala, the queen of the witches. She is so eerily gorgeous that it's impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

Sir Ian McKellen voices Iorek Byrnison, an armored polar bear, who has had his kingdom stolen and has been imprisoned by humans.

It was beautifully done and extremely entertaining. I really do love when beloved books are brought to the big screen, regardless of the almost inevitable butcher job they receive. I let a few excited squeals escape during the film, which was entertaining to Mike, I'm sure, but they were genuine.

And Mike was intrigued enough to order the books the next day.