Maybe I am learning?

Well, that last post was barely articulate, huh? And perhaps I overreacted. The Neverending Story is a way worse adaptation, for real. How about I list a few things I liked about the movie, then?

The opening scene with Lyra, Roger, and the gyptian children. Lyra's story about the robe and showing how seriously these kids seem to take their wars were brilliant.

The spyfly scene: just as good as it was in the book. Suck on that, Marisa.

The environment the movie created was beautiful. I loved all the various vehicles, especially Lee's airship.

Hester. I fucking love Hester, and even though she was in the movie for five seconds, she was awesome.

Freddie Highmore did a perfect Pan voice. I kind of love this kid.

Serafina Pekkala sure was purty--and deadly. I have such a weakness for archers.

Sam Elliott is almost exactly as I pictured Lee.

I totally love the guy they picked to be Farder Coram. John Faa and Ma Costa were also well cast.

Oh! Here's something amazing: something I think the movie improved! When Lyra destroys Bolvangar in the book, she sets some flour on fire on the gas stove. In the movie, she makes the intercission machine explode. That was pretty badass--way more badass than setting flour on fire.

Here's something I couldn't stand in the movie: why on earth did Mrs. Coulter just come out and tell Lyra about the bear king's wanting a daemon? Explain that to me. No, really, do, because I can't figure it out.

More The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife spoilers for you now:

Also, forget the fact that I just can't stand the end of the movie the way it is; I still don't understand how we're going to go from the Roger's death and Asriel and Marisa's reunion to Will in our London. There's no transition for that; that's why a whole new novel starts when we go to Will in London. The bridge can't be the transition, because it takes Asriel to his world and Lyra to Cittagazze. And Will doesn't tell Lyra anything about him--and the only thing the alethiometer tells her is that he's a murderer. (I love that, too, how she's, like, "Sweet. He's a murderer, just like my pops and Iorek Byrnison. No worries, then.") But I suppose the alethiometer could tell her more in the movie--and I suppose I would have to throw a fit about that. [end spoilers]

Mike kind of convinced me to, like, hold out hope for the other movies, but I hear that this movie is kind of tanking at the box office, so will they even make the other movies? And if they do, how will they deal with the religion thing? Satisfactorily? Doubtful. Sigh.

In a totally unrelated note, why would you cheat on Emma Thompson? That storyline of Love Actually always makes me so upset. Thank god Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Liam Neason's stepson are so cute.