a story in progress

Yesterday, I went for another round of movie marathon! This time it was The Golden Compass and Enchanted. I know those two movies were released some time back but sad to say to, due to many unforeseen circumstances I only got the opportunity to catch those two at the cinema yesterday.

Sigh. How to start with this one? Apparently half way through the movie, I can already compile a list long of reasons on why you shouldn't watch The Golden Compass for you. You know, ever since I watched the Harry Potter trilogy from the big screen itself, I'm prepared for the worst. I'm well aware that movies which are adapted from books tend to stray away from the books. There are bound to be a bit of difference between the book and the movie. Certain amendments are necessary to meet the demands of Hollywood blockbuster movie. Especially when money are concerned.

So there I was entering the cinema with my expectations humbled and tried my very best to enjoy The Golden Compass as what it was - as a movie adaptation of the book The Northen Lights. However, it didn't took me long enough to realize that the movie absolute sucks. It's just plain sucky. Sucky I tell ya! Heck, who am I kidding? How on earth can I so childishly believe that this movie can be a half-decent film in the first place?!


Those Hollywood people with their money making schemes, has see it fit to tone down every single aspect of the book! From the theological mysteries, conspiracies, character developments to the very key theme of the entire book! Their excuse? Religious groups launching a hate campaign, calling for a boycott for this film. Apparently for it's heretical values. But be rest assured, if those religious groups actually watch The Golden Compass, they would undoubtedly scorned at it. Not to mention giving them a good laugh. How can something so weak and feeble be a threat to centuries old of religious foundation?

Thanks to the director of the movie, Chris Weitz - he managed turn one of the best piece of literature work of our time to a piece of trash. All with the help of the Hollywood so-called magical touch of wisdom. Nothing I tell ya, can save this movie form it's impending doom. Not even with the cast of Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Ian Mac Kellen and Christopher Lee. Even with those wonderful touch of Hollywood's magic a.k.a CGI, The Golden Compass is still a trash. A trash with a happy ending if I might say so. A happy ending which reflects nothing but Hollywood's shallowness and it's penchant to rob and destroy the very fine work of Philip Pullman himself. Don't waste your money on this movie I tell ya. Run to the nearest bookstore and get yourself a copy of the book instead.


After watching that piece of trash, I'm glad to say that Enchanted managed to get rid of that bitter taste left in my mouth. I'm what-you-call an older generation of Disney movies. I grew up watching those old Disney classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarf, Sword in the Stone, Beauty and the Beast and so on. Not that the new batch of Disney's movies such as Finding Nemo and Cars are bad or anything. Just that I longed for that magical feeling which only those old Disney's movies manage to provide. So I'm pleasantly glad with Enchanted.

Your classic tale of a heroine Giselle of Andalasia
dreaming of her true love kiss and also someone to sing a duet with. In this case, that Prince Charming is no other then Prince Edward . They even throw in a wicked stepmother to add on that old Disney feel to it. But those movie makers manage to make a spoof of this by sending Giselle to New York - a land where there is no happily-ever-after. Over there at New York, Giselle was rescued by a single father who is also a lawyer named Robert. From that point on words, if you are really observant, you get to notice the many spoofs of the older Disney movies.

But once again, the true star of the movie Enchanted isn't Giselle, Prince Edward or even Robert. The ones who stole the limelight were none other then Nathaniel played by Timothy Spall and the cute little chipmunk Pip. Their roles were simply charming. The songs in this movie are kinda catchy and cheerful as well.

Overall, Enchanted was charmingly brilliant but not to the extent of being enchanted by it. Nevertheless, a great family movie and also a good cure for a bitter tongue caused by a certain trashy movie.