Perhaps the His Dark Materials trilogy suffers from advanced expectations, but I didn't invent the law of supply and demand. There have been a plethora of fantasies lately and perhaps I can be forgiven for wanting a bit more. Science fiction and comic book fans can feel safe knowing that fantasies haven't yet taken the plunge into deeper themes other than people that wear black and frowns are bad people.
Dakota Blue Richards stars as a beautiful girl raised by a group of scholars (including her uncle, played by Daniel Craig) who are fiercely protective of her at first, yet seem impotent when an icy Mrs. Coulter comes to take her away. The reason given is not the least bit believable or original. Anyway, Lyra soon escapes the White Witch, and meets up with just about every creature imaginable. All of which want to help her of course, because they can recognize her on sight as the one person who will save them all from eternal darkness. Plus, she's more resourceful than Batman's utility belt.
I don't fault the performances, although Kidman doesn't belong in this film. There are, quite frankly, too many characters in this film. That is true with all fantasies, but most fantasies know how to put their supporting cast away for the final scene instead of bringing them all out for a showdown that might be considered overdoing it. The bad guys are not nearly numerous or perilous enough to make you think them any true threat to our heroine. A good director and screenwriter knows how to condense source material. The people in this movie don't.
The bottom line: this is a trailer for the franchise, and one that is too rushed to make you care about any of the people involved. There is an accusation that this movie is anti-church. If that's the case it fails in it's premise; a more even-handed approach might have actually been more devastating. The movie says in one scene that it's about free will. If that is so, than Lyra certainly has to learn there's more to free will than reading and taking orders from an all-knowing metal Macgruffin.
Dakota Blue Richards stars as a beautiful girl raised by a group of scholars (including her uncle, played by Daniel Craig) who are fiercely protective of her at first, yet seem impotent when an icy Mrs. Coulter comes to take her away. The reason given is not the least bit believable or original. Anyway, Lyra soon escapes the White Witch, and meets up with just about every creature imaginable. All of which want to help her of course, because they can recognize her on sight as the one person who will save them all from eternal darkness. Plus, she's more resourceful than Batman's utility belt.
I don't fault the performances, although Kidman doesn't belong in this film. There are, quite frankly, too many characters in this film. That is true with all fantasies, but most fantasies know how to put their supporting cast away for the final scene instead of bringing them all out for a showdown that might be considered overdoing it. The bad guys are not nearly numerous or perilous enough to make you think them any true threat to our heroine. A good director and screenwriter knows how to condense source material. The people in this movie don't.
The bottom line: this is a trailer for the franchise, and one that is too rushed to make you care about any of the people involved. There is an accusation that this movie is anti-church. If that's the case it fails in it's premise; a more even-handed approach might have actually been more devastating. The movie says in one scene that it's about free will. If that is so, than Lyra certainly has to learn there's more to free will than reading and taking orders from an all-knowing metal Macgruffin.