Special effects shine more than the stars
by John Hiscock
Daily Telegraph (UK), page 7
November 20, 2007
The first instalment of Philip Pullman’s hugely successful trilogy of fantasy books, His Dark Materials, has had a troubled transition to the screen. The adaptation has managed to upset both Christians and atheists, the former because of the book’s anti-religious themes and the latter because those very themes have been watered down and virtually excised from the film.
In addition, the original writer-director, Chris Weitz, quit when he realised the size of the task facing him, returning only when his replacement, Anand Tucker, also left the project after running into creative differences with studio bosses.
But an early screening of The Golden Compass in Los Angeles reveals that the investors who put up the £90 million cost of the film can rest easy — though it lacks the impact or charm of The Chronicles of Narnia, the special effects are extraordinary and the film is sure to be a success with young audiences.
