I could structure a meticulous and really well written review....or I could just do this:
The Bad: at times it's too fast paced for it's own good. When Lyra goes with Mrs. Coulter (Kidman) she discovers too quickly that she's a psycho-bitch. There isn't enough time to really be seduced by Mrs. Coulter's charms and worldliness. Also, the change of Serafina (Eva Green) first appearence feels a little random (basically she just pops out of the sky and tests Lyra before she can catch her breath). One or two of Dakota Blue Richard's lines come out kind of bad. Other characters (well, really just Lee Scoresby/Sam Elliot) appear a little too conveniently. The switch of two key action sequences (bear fight and the rescue of the kids) opens up room for some small plot holes.
- some nuances/developments are weakened (Lyra learns to read the aletiometer pretty damn fast) but it could never be as good as the book so it's not too bothersome.
- that original song still sucks, though it's not as godawful as when I first listened to it online)
The Good:
- first, it looks GORGEOUS. Everything. Absolutely everything. Pullman's inventive world has been stunningly brought to life on screen. The blend of real people, daemons, armored bears, flying witches, and fantastic landscapes is seamless save for one split second shot of Lyra next to a group of armored bears during the big fight(though that's 100% forgivable).
- The script doesn't try to force the star studded adult cast in too much (the book and its sequels have ALWAYS been Lyra's story above all). They have small amounts of screen time, but they are effective and wonderfully done. Nicole Kidman and Ian McKellan (best. voice. ever.) are two superb standouts, with Sam Elliot in 3rd place.
- Dakota Blue Richards kicks ass. Aside from that handful of lines mentioned above, she's wonderful (I'm not talking award worthy or anything) especially considering she's never acted before. She blows all the Potter and Narnia kids (on their first attempts) out of the water. I was most excited about seeing Nicole Kidman in this movie, because I knew she could do the role the right way. I had huge doubts about Richards based on her monotone in the trailer but even when Kidman was off screen for big stretches, I was never disappointed to see her go; Richards was completely worth watching.
- A key scene (no spoilers...let's just call it "the intercision") near the end helps make most of the breakneck speed become nothing to worry about because it's so nerve wracking. It's like the emotional connection you have with Lyra sneaks up on you, and you don't realize how much you care until this scene comes about.
- As a die hard fan, I was PISSED about the ending "shift" (the last 3 chapters of GC will now start the second movie--the Subtle Knife(2009)..if it is made--for continuities' sake) but I actually thought it worked well and I wasn't disappointed (though I knew about it 2 months before now..many fans probably don't know) and the last shot is a visual dazzler and makes you hungry for the next installment, even in our sequel drenched cinemas.
- The small group of actors who play the key "Magisterium" officials (Derek Jacobi, Tom Courtenay, Christopher Lee) are all very effective.
- after expecting to be let down by Desplat's score, I really thought it was very pretty if at times too loud.
side note: was it ever going to be as good as the book? Duh..no....
Grade: A- (though I can understand and respect why other might think it deserves a much lower grade)
Nominations: Best Supporting Actress - Nicole Kidman (#3) Best Supporting Actor: Ian McKellan(#5) Best Adapted Screenplay (#5 I never EVER thought I would give it this...)Best Editing: (#5) Best Cinematography (#1 WINNER) Best Art Direction (#1 WINNER) Best Costume Design (#1 or 2 WINNER..?)Best Original Score - Alexandre Desplat(#2) Best Sound (#1 WINNER) Best VFX (#1 WINNER)
Christmas has come early(for this His Dark Materials fan at least)...
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