Posted on 12/11/2007 7:12:52 PM PST by topher
Archbishop’s Column, Denver Catholic Register
December 12, 2007
Sympathy for the devil: thoughts on ‘The Golden Compass’
When the first Harry Potter movie arrived in theaters several years ago, many Catholic families had divided views about the film. Some enjoyed it as an innocent and intriguing fantasy. Others avoided it because of its emphasis on magic. But the screen adaptation of Philip Pullman’s book, “The Golden Compass,” which opened in Denver on Dec. 7, will likely produce far more agreement. No matter how one looks at it, “The Golden Compass” is a bad film. There’s just no nicer way to say it.
I saw it at an 8:30 evening showing on Dec. 8. The theater was largely deserted. That may be a trend. While “The Golden Compass,” released by New Line Cinema, ranked No. 1 in box office revenues on its opening weekend, it took in only a modest $26.1 million. The three “Ring Trilogy” movies grossed between $47 and $72 million on their respective opening weekends, and “The Chronicles of Narnia” had opening revenues of more than $65 million. In fact, secular critics have been less than kind to the movie, and for good reason. It’s long, complicated, and despite a very gifted supporting cast and wonderful special effects, the story is finally lifeless. Much of the movie takes place in the polar north, and the iciness of the setting is a perfect metaphor for the chilly, sterile spirit at the heart of the story. Anyone expecting a playful children’s fantasy would do well to look elsewhere. There is nothing remotely “playful” about this movie.
As many readers will already know, Philip Pullman is an atheist, and “The Golden Compass” — the first book in his trilogy “His Dark Materials” — is a calculated counter-story to Christian-based fantasies like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Narnia.” “The Golden Compass” takes place in a parallel world similar to earth, but dominated by a sinister quasi-religious authority known as the Magisterium. This powerful elite seeks to “protect” people — for their own good — by shielding them from scientific knowledge, represented by the movie’s mysterious cosmic dust and a truth-telling piece of technology called an “alethiometer” (or golden compass). More specifically, the Magisterium abducts young children and literally kills their souls, thereby extinguishing the spirit of free thought and inquiry.
The aggressively anti-religious, anti-Christian undercurrent in “The Golden Compass” is unmistakable and at times undisguised. The wicked Mrs. Coulter alludes approvingly to a fictional version of the doctrine of Original Sin. When a warrior Ice Bear — one of the heroes of the story — breaks into the local Magisterium headquarters to take back the armor stolen from him, the exterior walls of the evil building are covered with Eastern Christian icons. And for Catholics in our own world, of course, “Magisterium” refers to the teaching authority of the Church — hardly a literary coincidence. The idea that any Christian film critics could overlook or downplay these negative elements, as some have seemed to do, is simply baffling.
Strangest of all — and in striking contrast to the Harry Potter and Narnia stories — is the absence of joy or any real laughter in the movie. The talented child actress who plays the film’s leading role is hobbled by a character that is uniformly unpleasant, rebellious, belligerent and humorless; the kind of young person described by one of my parent friends as needing a “long time-out.”
Obviously, parents are the primary teachers of their children. They need to use their own best judgment about whether a film is suitable for their families. But I’ll certainly be encouraging my own friends to put their Christmas cash to better use. In fact, maybe the most cynical and insulting thing about “The Golden Compass” is that its makers would offer this cold, angry, anti-religious fable as “holiday fare” in the midst of a season built around the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s certainly worth a letter to the people at New Line Cinema. With two more books in the Pullman trilogy as possible sequels, it might be helpful if they heard from all of us.
AT-A-GLANCE
New Line Cinema
E-mail: movies@newline.com
Phone: 310-854-5811
Address: 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif., 90048
Fax: 310-854-1824
Archdiocese of Denver ♦ Office of Communications ♦ 1300 S. Steele St. Denver, CO 80210 ♦ (303) 715-3123 ♦ info@archden.org
The movie Bella beat Golden Compass on the stat of dollars per movie theater (screen) for the weekend.
Bella had $8051 per theater
Golden Compass had $7308 per theaterHowever, in FAIRNESS TO BELLA, it did not have the millions of dollars of advertising that Golden Comapsss...
I imagine that there was spent at $30 million on marketing of Golden Compass -- which probably exceeds the production budget of Bella and exceeds the total dollars that Golden Compass brought in for the first weekend...
Nice to have friends in good places -- got this as an email from someone who works closely with the Good Archbishop, the Good Shepherd of Denver...
Looks like fools gold to me. I doubt the compass even points in the right direction. No wonder the movie is losing its audience.
bttt
I strongly suspect this humorless, rebellious protagonist is a reflection of the author's own cold world-view. The majority of atheists I've met also reflect similar traits as well, although a minority are as pleasant as any person one might encounter.
For Charles J. Chaput to see this movie in a largely deserted theater in the Denver area bodes very badly for the film...
Archbishop Chaput is very serious about defending Christians and Christian faith...
Why not have Archbishop Chaput, Archbishop Burke, Cardinal O'Malley, and Cardinal George review movies for the USCCB NCCB.
After all, when Cardinal Rigali became the pro-life chair, he did a wonderful job of making announcements about things.
WHy hire someone at USCCB NCCB to foul up Catholics as the current reviewer has done...
Or maybe Archbishop Chaput's review should replace the review on USCCB website...
With regard to the ways of Satan, C.S. Lewis wrote in “The Screwtape Letters”, about two of Satan’s favorite tools.
In a letter from the senior temptor, Screwtape, to his nephew and temptor in triaing, he advised that the most important thing to convince their human targets is that the temptors and diciples of Satan don’t exist.
In a later writing after the nephew has expressed frustration at his lack of success in getting his target to commit murder, Screwtape assures his nephew (Wormwood), that “Cards are as good as murder, if cards do the trick.”
(Meaning that the sin does not need to be spectacular to obstruct the path to Heaven.)
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic Ping List:
Please ping me to all note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Let's all Email the USCCB a copy of the review!!!!!
(of course, if they listen it'll be the first thing they've done right since they DIDN'T fire their stupid movie reviewer after he praised Brokeback Mountain to the skies on the USCCB website!)
As long as we are send the USCCB reviews, we could send them this one too.
Archbishop Chaput was trying to get people to change the USCCB review, and that was his tack last week (through my connections at his office).
The thing about what Archbishop Chaput writes is that he is viewing a movie on opening weekend on a Saturday night with almost no one in attendence.
OUCH!
For the makers of the film hear of a review like this one, they know it is trouble...
They may try to spin well there is controversy so each person should see it approach will fail with this review.
The Bishop of LaCrosse did the right thing -- it is just that Chaput's approach may also help the Gentiles (those who are not Christians)...
The Bishop of LaCrosse is an approach to protect his flock (his main intent).
Both are correct.
In a sense, one has to play devil's advocate -- how would you view these reviews if you are Christian and maybe have a very fuzzy view of God and religion.
I think I like Chaput's approach because of the title: Sympathy for the devil...
I think if I was a non-Christian who did not necessarily believe in God, I might be leery of such a movie -- just because helping the devil does not sound like a good thing to do...
So there is also activism in the review...
But I think he should have gone one step further -- recommend replacing Golden Compass in theaters with Bella and start a marketing campaign by New Line Cinema...
This is what a real bishop looks like.
Good article by Archbishop Chaput.
...And it certainly serves New Line Cinema right for having the gall to release such a dismal film at Christmas time, when the commemoration of His Birth is in full swing. Talk about a 'What were they thinking?!' moment.
The joke fits Philip Pullman, an avowed atheist, and a bear (a key character in the film Golden Compass).
The joke is as follows:
An avowed atheist loved nature, and went hiking one day. As he looked around, he saw how beautiful things were, and exclaimed: "What beauty there is here on earth, and I know that God did not create it."Later there was a brief shower, and a rainbow appeared, to which the avowed atheist exclaimed: "What a beautiful rainbow that I know that God did not create this rainbow".
The atheist hiked further. Suddenly a ten foot black bear appeared, and the atheist started running for his life. He suddenly found himself trapped by the huge black bear.
Out of desperation, he prayed feverishly to God to help him.
God FROZE the bear just before the bear was about to start eating the atheist. At the same time God appeared to the avowed atheist.
The avowed atheist, seeing how the situation had changed, said to God:
"I know I have thought all my life that you do not exist and taught others that. For me now to acknowledge your existence would be hypocrisy on my part. I bid you, however, in the interest of mercy, to make this bear a CHRISTIAN bear."God responded: "Your request is granted."
At that God disappeared and the bear was unfrozen.
The bear knelled down on his knees and prayed: "We thank thee, O Lord, for these gifts we are about to receive from thy bounty, and the meal that is before us."
After praying, the bear had his dinner -- the avowed atheist...
That one thing about Freerepublic -- this will not be seen on News unless it is posted there, which maybe it should be posted...
This thread is under Religion and under various Christan lists...
...By the way, I thought the joke you posted regarding the Atheist and the Bear was hilarious.
I felt it appropriate given talk about the movie, and how they market the movie with a picture of a bear.
Maybe atheists should be aware!!!
I have had one comment from one FReeper that they thought it was hilarious...
...They should, indeed ;-)
I saw this movie. It can be seen as totally anti-liberal and anti-big government. The big government forces lose to a militia! The woman leader is very Hillary like. The kids go to public education camps...just like today.
The anti-religious angle being portrayed by the press just isn’t there. That being said....this movie is STUPID.
The aggressively anti-religious, anti-Christian undercurrent in “The Golden Compass” is unmistakable and at times undisguised. The wicked Mrs. Coulter alludes approvingly to a fictional version of the doctrine of Original Sin. When a warrior Ice Bear — one of the heroes of the story — breaks into the local Magisterium headquarters to take back the armor stolen from him, the exterior walls of the evil building are covered with Eastern Christian icons. And for Catholics in our own world, of course, “Magisterium” refers to the teaching authority of the Church — hardly a literary coincidence. The idea that any Christian film critics could overlook or downplay these negative elements, as some have seemed to do, is simply baffling.
I caught some anti-religious symbols, which I thought were somewhat low key. But I fully expect any professional religious person to argue otherwise.
But the anti-big government symbols were everywhere. From the militia to the younger Hillary, I kept twisting my head wondering why they were so blatanty done. I now realize that the film may be anti-religious, it is not anti-spiritual.
So far it’s been good arguing with my coffee-shop liberals. When I asked what they thought of the battle where the people’s militia won over the government troops there was a moment of silence. The Iraq comparison didn’t work when I asked about the lack of IED’s and suicide bombers.
I’m glad I watched the movie instead of following orders from the churches. I have a mind of my own and will keep it that way.
I was glad a FReeper went to Lions for Lambs and gave his opinion. One of his comments was that people got up and walked out of Lions for Lambs. He did not because his wife fell asleep. They were given FREE TICKETS, so he didn't spend anything except maybe something for popcorn...
I saw it tonight and liked it quite a lot. I actually don’t know what all the anti -Christian commotion is about. Girl is destined to be involved in saving world from anti-thought big government types. She kabals together a bunch of people to help stop their war against free thought and the animals. Good guys win. I’m not sure what the problem is. Maybe I am not reading deep enough into it, but I don’t feel like I got damaged in any way by watching. It was an original story line and had great effects.
I will not shrink from the debate, therefore I will watch this garbage, as I did with Michael Moore’s movie. The stakes are too high for me to not study the tactics of the leftists.
I’ll be happy to pass anything on to those who would like to know details that the MSM is missing. IMHO, a lot was missed with this movie; it didn’t portray religion properly. The content that attacked big government were in my face, but I’ve read nothing about it from any news source. The witches were nothing more than angels in light blue “togas”. (what the heck do you call those outfits anyway?) The guardian angel references were strained, but the link was there.
Anyway, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
...My main issue with 'The Golden Compass' is that the author, Phillip Pullman, denies the existence of my Lord and Savior, and from what I understand, would like to 'kill' God off in subsequent sequels. As a Believer, this doesn't sit too well with me, and marketing such rot to impressionable children is rather dangerous, in my opinion. To make a long story short, I won't line this man's pockets with any of my hard earned money.
I'll take C.S. Lewis hands down anytime.
I understand; I’ll see it for all of us.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this wasn’t an anti-Christian movie. There were parts, but the movie in its entirety just didn’t keep a straight line.
The Militia, the Hillary remake, the angels, the guardian angels and the evil government with its Waco storm troopers were elements that didn’t fit.
If someone asks you about the film, ask them what they thought about the big government troops being beaten by a citizens militia.
All in all, the movie made as much sense as talking Polar bears.
Merry Christmas!
LOL!
...And a very Merry Christmas to you and your family :-)
I'd guess the story is sorta a fantasy/science-fiction thing, and probably a take-off on the Harry Potter and Ring stories, but the author/screenwriter/director never seemed to get their $hit together, so it was tough to follow.
The actors:
The young lady who played the heroine has talent, and should get work after this.
Nicole Kidman shoulda stayed in porn films.
Sam 'what's-his-name' who always plays a grizzled old cowboy, plays a grizzled old cowboy again, and he's good at it! He played a grizzled old cowboy next to Nicholas Cage in 'Ghostriders' (a Great flic!). Watching him is like watching John Wayne or Jack Nicholson - you know what yer gonna get.
Nobody else is memorable.
Animation and special effects are so-so. Seemed to be done on the cheap.
The only story-line discernable is that this is 'part one' of more parts that are probably already shot (since there are kids involved and they do grow-up). Whether enough money is made on this first one will determine if anybody bothers to piece-together any more crap like this one film.
Rating: G-DB. Kids will walk out 'cause it's damn boring.
Religiosity: No problems - it's just a bad story.
Conclusion: Go rent 'Ghostrider' for the grown-ups, or 'The Never Ending Story' for the kids and me. Better stories ................ FRegards
That makes me so angry! Dang.
I didn’t see the anti christian angle as substantatial. If anything, this movie was anti-government.
And, yes, it was boring.
In the US, this film has only done about $48 million, and it might find getting to $60 million tough going -- as I imagine alot of theaters might drop this flick for money makers.
It had a poor weekend showing -- with it showing now at 2,900 theaters (this is what #1 or #2 films might show at), it bearly broke the top ten, and films being shown at much fewer screens beat it...
Bottom line, it might have trouble getting out of the red ink...
———————— Bottom line, it might have trouble getting out of the red ink... ———————————
Amen - it’s a bomb! ............... FRegards
It grossed $745 million worldwide. I imagine that Golden Compass will produce a lot of RED INK for those behind this movie.
Ironically, it came from Great Britian, which also built the Titanic.
After the Titanic was built, the owners boasted that God Himself could not sink the Titanic... As I recall, it sank on the first voyage... (A great tragedy in history, but maybe the owners/shipbuilders should not have called the ship unsinkable and said what they said about God).
So maybe in both of these ventures, the people might have been better to be God fearing...
We just saw the film and thought it was wonderful — though maybe too frightening for small children. The heros were rich with fine character traits and retained enough of their untamed, critical thinking to see through the diabolical schemes of the large, ruthless institutions. If the words bother you, plug-in “grace” for “dust” and replace “witches” with “guardian angels.” The golden compass was (to me) simply a metaphor for “truth” — who discovers it, who hides it, who controls it, who interprets it. The greatest (male) scientific minds endow this tool to a young fearless girl with strong intuitive powers — supported by a diverse community of outcasts, bound together through faith, loyalty and determination. What a great story!
Color me skeptical as to why you joined FreeRepublic today, just to post on a thread that’s been silent for two weeks.
I have heard that they left out the most objectionable parts of the book. Also, before I became Catholic I would have gotten the “magisterium” link or the Eastern icon connection.
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