Comments on: Golden Compass Has Trouble Finding Money

By: Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:09:43 +0000

Eragon, meet His Dark Materials.

By: Maru Chastine Orbeta

Maru Chastine Orbeta — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:52:02 +0000

Well the movie was good but not great due to the rushed state of the storyline.

and of course,
- the weather is bad to be going out for movies,
- money are spent on x-mass shopping instead of movies,
- the anit-christ rumors are spreading and it’s a turn-off and it’s x-mas.
- it was not sensationalized like the viral-marketing of “Cloverfield” which is honestly, intriguing that’s why many watched it.
- the anti-christ rumor is a no no because it directly attacts God, whereas Harry Potter is as we know wicked in the bible base but it doesn’t have any anti-christ message and it appeals to the kids due to the special FX, creatures, broad, amazing storyline.

By: Luke

Luke — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:01:44 +0000

I think there are two reasons why it wasn’t as successful:
-poor marketing
-smaller fan base
Although it has a tough theme to sell since the books are notoriously anti-religion, I highly doubt that the protests have had much to do with it. The Da Vinci Code was one of last year’s highest earners, and yet attracted a huge amount of oppossition. If anything, protests help, it makes things interesting.
The protests might have had a greater effect on this film, however, because of the type of film it is. Its a children’s movie, not an adult drama like The Da Vinci Code. Even though most people don’t pay attention to religious protesters, the fact that the movie has a subtextual anti-religious meaning, parents may be a bit weary about taking their children to see it. Most Americans have some form of religion and most of them are not big on introducing their children to atheism at an early age.
Bad reviews probably weren’t to blame either, although I’m sure they didn’t help. Look how poorly reviewed Alvin and the Chipmunks was as well as National Treasure.
New Line just did a bad job of making sure that people were interested in the movie. To give them credit though, its a hard movie to sell; a children’s fantasy epic consisting of adult themed ideas. Its too childish to be fully appreciated by most adults and too adult-like to seem interesting to children.

By: sharon

sharon — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:25:57 +0000

I’m an atheist so the anti-christian controversy only served to make me want to see a film that was boycotted because the author was atheist. Honestly though, if I had not heard about the author’s quotes, I would not have thought this movie was anymore anti-religion than Star Wars. It seemed to be merely anti-big-evil-government but when put together with the author’s quotes, I can see where he was inspired by the old Catholic power structure which basically WAS once the government in Europe.

In the film, there was some oppressive authority that knew what was best for people, and wanted to control what people believed, suppress certain scientific theories, and (mentioned only briefly) force 16 year old girls to give up their babies. That does fit with the Catholic church’s history but GOD, religion, etc. were never mentioned or even hinted at in the film, so it is up to the viewer to imagine that religion was the source of the authority rather than just government.

In my opinion, a government with no religious influence whatsoever is capable of oppressing and controlling people in those ways without using religion (especially in a high-tech society where we can be easily monitored). So even though I’m an atheist, I don’t accept that religion has to be behind such evil. However, religion does make it easier for people to accept the oppression and is often used by governments for that very purpose. There was just no evidence of that in the film. If the author had kept his mouth shut, I don’t think anyone except the most paranoid Catholics would have felt targeted.

Funny, I felt that if the author of Narnia had not been such a vocal Christian, and pointed out that his stories were in fact pro-Christian, I would not have guessed it. In fact, I read the Narnia stories before I knew anything about the author, and I assumed that his stories would be viewed negatively by some Christians beause of the magic, witches, and talking animals (plus the kids in the story were not all that nice or obedient). I was shocked when I read that the talking lion was actually symbolizing Jesus and that Christians were ok with that rather than insulted. I felt that Wizard of Oz, Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter would all be lumped together as being anti-Christain tales of pagan magic, but the context given by the author OUTSIDE of the book/film can determine whether Christians accept or reject these fantasy tales. If JK Rowling would have claimed a Christian theme as her inspiration, maybe HP would not have been boycotted by some Christians. And if this author had not attacked religion in a magazine interview, this film would not have been labeled as anti-Christian.

Bottom line is this movie was not that good. It was dark, with a lot of time between action scenes and the storyline just didn’t quite click with me. It didn’t pull me in the way LOTR or even Harry Potter did. They needed to spend more time developing the movie version of the story in a way that would be interesting and flow well. This didn’t. And they didn’t target an audience – children, adults, sci-fi fans? They left all disappointed. It was still nice escapism and somewhat entertaining, but not memorable at all. I don’t see this movie as enduring. It will soon be forgotten unless a sequel is produced.

By: FLNonny

FLNonny — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:53:51 +0000

Why would I, a Christian/Catholic want to put money into a politically active Atheist’s pockets? Why would I want to assist him in making more movies that have the underlining message of the non-existance of God? Why would I want to send a message to Hollywood that they should adapt more of Mr. arrogant Pullman’s books to the big screen? I shouldn’t. I would be a hyprocrite if I did. I am one of those “flakes,” “nuts” and “Bible thumpers” who kept my family home from the movie. I decide what causes I shall support, not Hollywood and the secular crowd! It is not the movie that concerned me; it was Mr. Pullman’s arrogance and political clout. Christians would be STUPID to spend money on his anti-Christian heavily disgusised message as he laughs all the way to the bank. THIS is why Golden Compass was not successful; I know of no family in my area (yes, college-educated families) that plans to see the movie. Just as many of you would not buy Domino’s Pizza (decades ago)when the company owner was giving tons of money to fight abortion, we Christians have the same right to decide on which side of an issue we will stand with our pockets CLOSED. It’s all about “choice” and responsibility.

By: Ascend

Ascend — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:10:28 +0000

To be honest, my son purchased the book a few years back and did not enjoy it. When we saw the trailer, it looked good to us. When we started hearing about the anti Catholic overtones and that the children had “daemons” following them around – We said absolutely not!

To be fair, I quite enjoyed the Harry Potter books and message, and it goes without saying that LOTR and Narnia are household favorites. We love sci-fi and fantasy but we will not pay money to see our beliefs mocked – Nor would we pay money to see a movie that mocked the faith of our Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim friends. This should send a message to Hollywood to watch the content.

By: J.P.

J.P. — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:02:07 +0000

@nbakid2000: Maybe we need another version so people like me can watch it?

I mean in colors and with sound :P

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:42:11 +0000

@nbakid2000

I’m with you. I’m not interested at all in I Am Legend, but never underestimate the drawing power of Will Smith. That bastard got me to watch Wild Wild West, for pete’s sake. I haven’t really felt much buzz for the movie, but if Big Willie is there, people will be there in droves.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:36:08 +0000

Jordan, how about a spoiler warning?! Geez.

By: nbakid2000

nbakid2000 — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:28:28 +0000

I personally don’t see what’s so great about I Am Legend – as I said, it’s a remake of Omega Man. Do I really need another version? The original was fine.