Why haven't I seen or heard any news of a sequel to the movie, "The Golden Compass"?
The Golden Compass was released in late 2007. My wife and I watched it for the first time last week, January 22, 2010. The final scenes strongly suggest a sequel is forthcoming, wherein Lord Asriel would break through the barrier between parallel universes. The corrupt Magisterium would prevent him from doing so.
My favorite character was Lyra Belaqua, played by Dakota Blue Richards, who will soon be too old to play the same role in a sequel? She's such a strong, young actress, I hope to see her in more movies. A sequel to "Avatar" would be perfect.
"The Golden Compass" is a good movie to watch immediately after viewing "Avatar". After that, go back and watch "The Lord of the Rings" movies. The underlying theme of good vs evil obviously is similar, as are the mystical symbols, mythical characters, and magical devices.
"Avatar" was the most expensive movie ever made? Critics in USA Today panned the movie before it was released, and said it would never make a profit. After three weeks in the top 10, a friend in Israel said the theaters in Haifa were still sold out, even at the late night showings.
Critics said "Avatar" had no story. I think the story is fantastic. Esoteric spiritual themes are heresy to many conservative Christians, and just as unbelievable to atheists. (Read "the Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova to explore that subject). The final battle to destroy the Tree of Spirits, symbolic of the Kabala, and symbolic of the eternal Living Word of God through which all physical and spiritual creation comes into existence, somehow got a sexual interpretation from Robert Colbert.
"Avatar's" personification of evil is the military industrial complex, with no recognition of God, and no need for support by a religious authority. Some critics said "The Golden Compass" is an atheistic presentation, where oppressive domination by church and state ultimately are defeated by a common, innate understanding of moral good.
I disagree. I think every age faces a catastrophic end. Leaders and institutions corrupted by self-interest destroy themselves. Outmoded laws and traditions are abrogated. A fresh impulse of Divine Will sends forth a Chosen One and heroes. Root principles of Faith are renewed and exalted. A new world comes into being. I think "Avatar" and "The Golden Compass" are exciting presentations of current events.
4 comments:
Here's the sequel story: http://current.com/items/89117948_the-golden-compass-sequel-canned.htm and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/16/sam-elliott-philip-pullma_n_394224.html
Thanks, Linda.
Dave:
You're right on target with your comment about the story line.
Figuring out what the movie actually cost to make is a very complicated topic, as explained in the link below:
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2009/12/how-much-did-avatar-really-cost.html
to a certain extent, it's like trying to figure out what a NASA launch costs because the research necessary to produce the film can be (and has been) sold to other movie makers ...
USA Today showed more box office statistics today, Feb 1.
Adjusted for the current value of the U.S. Dollar, "Avatar" is far down the all time list. Gone With the Wind is number 1, but that's the domestic U.S. market, not global.
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