Pullman’s movie is not even entertaining NY Post
Film critic Lou Lumineck has this to say on Hollywood’s latest wonderflop, the preach-atheism-to-kiddies film some genius thought would be the perfect family film Christmas release:
I just wanted to complain that there is only one decent action sequence in this lavishly produced flick — a fight between two CGI bears that drew the only reaction from the audience at last night’s screening at the Empire — and reams of dull exposition. Bill Donohue of the Catholic League has been publicizing the movie by claiming it’s an anti-religious tract, as much as it pains me to say so, this self-appointed no-nothing may actually have something of a point. You don’t need to be a Jesuit scholar to figure out that the film’s bad guys who keep complaining about heretics — led by Nicole Kidman, looking even more like a CGI character than those bears — are clearly meant to be reps of the Catholic Church, even before you get a glimpse of their Vatican-like headquarters.
This was why I hated, simply hated, the FANTASTIC FOUR movie. It had only one action sequence, and that was lame.
Instead, I am disappointed and saddened. I rather liked the first book in this series, and thought maybe Hollywood could revise and rewrite the second the third to give it some much needed plot-logic. Maybe they could come up with a CGI beastie that would depict the utterly disgusting four-wheeled elephant-things from the third book: I know most people must not have the mental image I took away, which was revolting. So, no glee in the misfortune for me: The ads for this movie looked swell, and I was probably going to go see it on the big screen. I thought it would not be that bad.
But no. When the New York Post (not exactly a bastion of conservative thought) is criticizing a film for its heavy-handed anti-clericalism, I no doubt would be better entertained by watching the second MATRIX movie again.
Love the armored bears fighting scene in the book. Loved it. Loved the icy witches of lapland flying through the air on rafters. Loved the evil scientist named Asrael. How could they get this wrong? They have an evil gorgeous mad scientist woman who experiments on children and robs them of their souls! This is seriously Princess Aura level pulp! How could they make a movie and screw this up?
Well, let us not be hasty. This is only one reviewer. Who trust reviews anyway?
Come up to my place! I’ll let you pet my daemon!
This externalized manifestation of my soul first appeared when I came of age.
As you can see, the daemon represents my true inner qualities of — Hey! Wait a minute!
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
