(no subject)

[elucreh]

THIS? THIS is considered classic fantasy? I mean, I realise it's been around a long time, but...*incredulous face* And don't try to tell me it was the movie. I can tell when they're lifting lines directly.

Lyra as a character I found interesting (and actually, Mrs. Whatsername, too, how she became who she is intrigues me); and the moviemakers did a beautiful job, especially of interpreting the daemon action and person-connectivity and stuff. And the acting was largely great, really it was; given what they had to work with, I am in awe of the actors' skills.

But the DIALOGUE.

It was horrendous even when spoken aloud by people acting their socks off. I can't imagine how people made it through the book.

Perhaps I'm being unfair. I've tried three times to read it without being able to make it through the first chapter without wanting to throw the book across the room.

I don't think I care enough about being fair to the book to force myself to finish it, however.

If you strongly disagree, and think that I really will enjoy it if I just give it a chance, I will consider it.

However, keep in mind: readability is huge with me. Character comes next. (I admit Lyra and Mrs. Watsername probably have me there.) Plot I can take or leave. Stupendous plot is a bonus, but not enough of an incentive on its own.

Thoughts?

Comments

[ny-for-life.livejournal.com]

I think I would like to see you actually throw a book across the room, because I've imagined it many times.

I haven't read the book, and I didn't think the movie was that interesting, but this was an entertaining review before I go to bed tonight. ;)

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

I believe I've only actually done it--not just wanted to--two or three times. I know one of them was a Hannah Swensen mystery. *G*

[adalanne.livejournal.com]

And lets not forget all the times you've thrown books across the room at people. ^_^

[ms-katonic.livejournal.com]

Heh. The book (called Northern Lights in England) was alright but not as good as some novels I've read. It's been a while since I read it though.

[adalanne.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I hated Lyra as a character in the books, but chiefly because she was a Spunky Little Girl whose age varied wildly with each scene and who rarely felt as anything more than a figurehead for Pullman's Point. From what I've read of the movie, they tried to lessen the pushing of the Point, and since there's actually a girl on screen, I imagine age-inappropriate dialog was either gotten rid of or wasn't strong enough to go against the visual age. But yeah, I could see how she'd be a better character in someone else's creative hands.

Now I'm actually interested in seeing it. Not enough to pay for a theater ticket, but I might consider watching an illegal copy some day. ^_^

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

Hm. I can see how that would be a problem...there were some lines that the little actress did her best with, but were obviously intended to make her appear either six or fourteen. Really, I hope that girl does more work...given what she had to work with, she did an incredible job.

[jheanne.livejournal.com]

I made it through the book because I kept thinking that it's gonna get better, it's gonna get better. And each ending (of each book in the trilogy) disappointed me.

I still want to go see the movie though. It looks fascinating. Was the movie at least entertaining?

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

Not worth full price? But rent it. Or maybe see a matinee, if you are a fan of computer graphics or one of the actors.

[jheanne.livejournal.com]

I can wait two weeks and use these discounted tickets that I get from my bank. ;)

[eviljen341.livejournal.com]

I saw it and liked it for the same reason I liked the books....the characters. I completely agree with adalane when she said that he uses Lyra as a figure head for his point. It is one of the hardest things to get past in his book because you really want to like her as a character but it is sometimes difficult because she almost has a split personality. I thought they actually did a good job in the film of making her more cohesive, and I thought the film was a good deal better than the book (probably because you didn't have to wade through 200 pages of not so brilliant writing to get to the climax. Describing things is not Pullman's strong point and it was fun to see what he had described realized on screen instead of actually trying to make sense of his words.) If you want readability these are not the books for you. He improves his pacing in books two and three and the plot and characters become more intriguing, but his language stays the same the whole time. I like the books because his theological twisting of things is interesting to me and mrs. coulter is an absolutely fantastically conflicted character. However overall they are dark, somewhat tragic, and honestly difficult to read.