Scratch

Here you will find older scratches, musings and other detritus that once were located on the front pages, but have now faded.

Filed away here to collect dust and cobwwwebs in perpetuity, links may break, facts may change and data may corrupt.

On occasion I may come down here to tidy, but for the most, I prefer to leave the past where it lies.

 

The Golden Compass

The first of the books adapted from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials sees a much condensed version of the first book, that whilst visually striking and throughly engaging, lacks the characterisation, subtly* and underlying themes so prevalent in the books. Even the language seems quickened, so that the already trimmed plot can be squeezed into the time available. Whilst some films are too long, this was arguably too short. Much of the tension and encounters between characters was replaced with exposition, and mysterious the ran through the books were dolled out in an instance.

I would recommend seeing it as it as the actors work well with the script they have, but its the cinematography that really appeals, certainly if like me you have lived in both Oxford and London, and presumably if you live with polar bears you will find their rendering impressive (especially the fight sequences).

The film ends at a different point to the book, on a rather upbeat note. I shall be interested to see if we get to see the continuation of the story on its more darker path.