I saw the movie when it came out over here last friday.

Even though I have not read the book, it seemed like the movie was enjoyable. From what I hear reading the book actually retracts from the movie because the movie strays from certain things that the book has.

It wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't a super great movie either. =(

I know Im fukken late on this but I just saw this today thanks to 66stage. I havent read the books so I cant really give an opinion upon an intertextual comparison but based purely on what I saw, I was extremely pleased. The story and world were quite unique and refreshing suprisingly, and I actually found that I liked most of the characters. The film in general sort of reminded me of what a live action film of Syberia/ Longest Journey would be like in that it almost seemed like I was playing an adventure/RPG game in the way characters sort of joined the protagonists party.

I dont mean this in a bad way, since I actually sort of liked how it resembled an adventure game, but at the same time this also correlates to the fact that the film seemed rushed and underdeveloped. I seriously found events happened almost like quests in a game with characters joining so abruptly I almost expected like a blue dialog box with white borders exclaiming "___ has joined your party". My other criticism is that my main interest in seeing this was the seemingly heavy steampunk aesthetic I saw in trailers for this. The actual film as a whole when viewed didnt have as much of this as I had hoped. Sure, some aspects have that retro-tech utilization with the whole neo-Victorian deal, but it wasn't truely steampunk. But godamnit, any steampunk is fukken win, and the world definitely needs more of it

Regardless, this movie kicked ass and I really hope they film the rest of the series since I probably wont be reading the books.....

I'm so glad to hear that those of you who haven't read the books enjoyed the movie! It looks pretty positive, I think, for them to make the next two, considering that the movie has done very very well abroad so far. The last number I heard was $261 million abroad. Here's hoping, because the story sooo picks up even more in the next two!

Excerpt from Pullman's new book to be released in April, Once Upon a Time in the North, a short story collection relating to the characters of HDM: link

*drools* that's so hawesome! I skimmed it really fast, but I'm definitely going to pick this up when it comes out (in 2 days!) Thanks bunches for sharing the news... I'll have to take advantage of my Borders membership rewards coupon this weekend *hearts* And I'm glad to see him give Lee and Hester extra love, because in my opinion

I shamefully admit that I only just saw this the other day...

But yea, fun stuff. That golden monkey is so effin' shiny!

Anyone know when the next installment is due?