Films: The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass (2007)

Dir. Chris Weitz
Cast: Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Freddie Highmore, Ben Walker, Sir Ian McKellan...

Imagine a world where people walk around followed by their souls in the form of an animal, where The North is a land of struggle, violence and mystery, and where adults begrudge the tendency of all children to get themselves covered in dust. Hang on, isn't this meant to be fantasy?

Philip Pullman's weird and wonderful story is brought the screen in this huge, visually enchanting movie. I was blown away by the visual effects, the scenery, the voice talent of the non-human characters, and even the movie debut of Dakota Blue Richards who plays lead character Lyra.

Lyra escapes the drudgery of her 'Uncle's' college when she is whisked away to assist the seductive Mrs Coulter (Kidman). The trip turns sour, however, when Lyra realises that Coulter is up to not good, and in charge of a thuggish group known as the Gobblers. Lyra has been given the last existing Golden Compass and soon finds that people will stop at nothing to get hold of it. The compass tells the truth to the person who can read it. Lyra and her demon (soul), Pan, journey to The North, enlisting the help of the Gyptians, families of children who have been taken by the Gobblers, and a huge armoured polar bear (voiced marvellously by McKellan). It is an adventure of the most exciting kind, where, of course, the good guys always triumph. However, the film ends on a cliff hanger, enticing audiences to sign up for the subsequent two films that will make up the trilogy.

A handful of stunning perfomances and even more stunning visual effects all add to this enchanting film. If you can get past the jargon which is used from the outset, assuming that we have all read the books and completely understand terms such as 'The Magisterium', 'Demons' and 'the Dust'. The world which is created is completely fantastical but strangely believable as the relationships between characters and Lyra's journey to save her friends are genuine.

My rating *** 3/5 stars
Recommendation: If you fancy escaping to a complete fantasy, you will enjoy this film. Forgive the oversuse of bizarre vocabulary and get involved! Not enough Daniel Craig for me, but I'm looking forward to the 2nd film!

Film: The Oxford Murders (2008)

The Oxford Murders (2008)
Dir. Alex de la Iglesia (oh sure, his name means 'Alex from the church!')
Cast: Elijah Wood, John Hurt, Julie Cox, Leonor Watling...


I'm not one to shy away from a film by an unknown director. I am not one to bring preconceptions to a film when I watch it (with the exception of anything involving Keanu Reeves or Andie MacDowell - sorry). This film seemed fairly intruiging to me. Is it possible to raise the profile of mathematical studies by getting the legendary John Hurt and Frodo Baggins himself on board? I like a good murder mystery and Oxford is a beatiful location. Like I said, I was quite interested.

It is hard to say what let me down, really. This film just did not deliver. Well, Oxford was beautiful, at least. I found the plot was too loaded, too heavy. The dialogue was predictable - I even quoted several lines before they were said. Wood brought his wide-eyed boyish quality to the character of Martin, a young mathmatician studying for a year at Oxford. However, this was not enough to carry him through the sketchy script, and his flaws certainly did not make him any more likeable. I think that is what was wrong. I could not empathise with any character in the film. Frankly, they were all utterly bonkers. Hurt put in a good performance but even he sounded ridiculous delivering some of his lines. Neither of the leading female roles made me jump for joy and note down their names for future releases.

The basic idea is that Martin (Wood) is an american student who believes in the power and structure of the secret structure of numbers to give us absolute truth. Lost already? Seldom (Hurt) is a slightly creepy and very grumpy professor and maths genius who denies Martin's claims. But when they both appear at the scene of a mutual friend's murder, where a peculiar mathematical symbol has been left, their brains start ticking. So the story traipses through a chain of murders and symbols, predictions, arguments, threatning conversations and one rather uncomfortable love scene. The film comes to a close in a way which is both a twist and the only completely logical ending. Nothing to write home about.

My rating: ** 2/5 stars
Recommendation: If you like maths you might like this. Or you might not. Or maybe if you have a brain that thinks, you might like it. Or not. If you are impatient, have something else to do or don't enjoy getting confused and then angry with yourself that you were confused by something so obvious, don't watch it. Ok?

Films: Hancock

Hancock (2008)
Dir. Peter Berg
Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan.

John Hancock is a man of amazing strength, ability and...terrible people skills! This guy can take a shower of bullets, walk into a moving freight train, jump a mile high and fly even further. However, blessed with all these powers, Hancock cannot seem to win over the public. The first we see of him in the film is mouthing off to a young boy and drinking neat whisky.

Ray and Mary Embrey are a well-to-do and optimistic couple who could probably use Hancock not turning up in their life, but when he saves Ray's life, that's just what he does. And straight away you can sense there's some major part of the Hancock story missing. Oddly, it seems to lie in Mary Embrey. At this point, the storytelling part of the film loses its way and becomes somewhat rushed and staccato. The film does not allow itself enough time to expand certain aspects of the story. So, sadly, we are left slightly befuddled by the action that unfolds.

And action it certainly is. The special effects in this film are sensational and this is what kept me watching. Smith is charming in his portrayal of a misguiged superhero and his dialogues with Ray Embrey (Bateman) produce some of the films finest comic moments. But it is the effects which will stay with you after you turn off the DVD player. Rapid, electric, faultless visuals create the insane idea that Will Smith really can do all these things. Come on, if any Hollywood actor can, it's Will!

My rating: **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: What the film lacks in narrative it wins back in execution. It's a visual feast. Just don't lose sleep thinking about the story!