My goodness. The Golden Compass doesn’t come out for another two and a half weeks, and already the Daily Telegraph has a review up. A few excerpts:
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. . . .
Newcomer Dakota Blue Richards was chosen for the pivotal role of Lyra from 10,000 young actresses. She does her best to carry the human portion of the film, despite an unconvincing “cor blimey” accent, but it is the computer-generated animals and rodents which are the real stars – rarely has so much human talent been so overshadowed by digital effects. . . .
The Golden Compass was made by New Line Cinema, the studio that struck gold with its Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is doubtless hoping to attract the same fantasy-loving audience, and while adults may wince at the jumpy editing and stilted dialogue (“We’ll set it right – just let them try to stop us,” declares Lyra), younger audiences are likely to be enthralled at the wonders Lyra encounters on her epic journey through a metaphysical universe. . . .
Now that the Telegraph has broken whatever review embargo this film has, it probably won’t be long before the trades — i.e., Variety and the Hollywood Reporter — post their own two bits. For my part, there have been no announcements yet regarding any screenings in Vancouver, so I may have to wait a bit longer.
Reviews have also begun trickling in for Alexandre Desplat’s score, which comes out on CD in two weeks. Film Music: The Neglected Art is fairly impressed with it, while Ryan den Rooijen at HisDarkMaterials.org has an interesting interview with Desplat himself.
Finally, IGN.com has posted two brief scenes from the film, both of which center on Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear voiced by Sir Ian McKellen.
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