Why TV series "His Dark Materials' - the most promising fantasy years
Educational Program Cinema / / December 19, 2019
This project is not like "Game of Thrones." But it was he who, in the opinion of the critic Alexei Khromov, it will become the main substitute.
For the BBC and HBO (in Russia - "kinopoisk HD" and "Amediateke") launched a new film version of the series of books by Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials."
This event is important for several reasons. Firstly, the original book - a true legend. The list200 best books on the version of the BBC BBC 200 best novels of the trilogy Pullman version of the BBC took third place. Author stunningly combined magical story in the spirit of "Harry Potter"Criticism of religion and careful study of the ordinary world.
Secondly, a serial version should fix the errors in the shooting of the film "The Golden Compass", which is based on the first part of the trilogy. Then the authors put a huge budget, made good special effects and hire great actors. But we tried to fit into a single picture too many events, and even removed from the scene all the sharp and controversial topics. As a result, the film flopped
'Golden Compass' voted worst film adaptation and finally ruined the company New Line Cinema.Even in the first episode of "Dark beginnings" can be judged on the good prospects. Premiered on British television has become the most ambitious'His Dark Materials': BBC / HBO Show Becomes Biggest New Drama On British TV In 5 Years With 7.2M Viewers over the past five years. The project draws from the first series, although the main events of the audience will have to wait.
"His Dark Materials" - a fairy tale for children and adults
The action takes place in a world where a part of the soul of each person is separate in the form of talking animals - Damon, and science and technology are combined with magic. In the center of the plot - a young orphan Lyra Belakva (Daphne Keen, known for the film "logan"), Who lives in the Jordan College, Oxford. Once Lear brought to her uncle, Lord Asriel (James McAvoy), Leaving the education of the local master.
Asriel himself had regularly sent an expedition to the far north, where discovers the mysterious particles, which are called "dust." They give the opportunity to see other worlds, or even get to them.
Opening Azriel is controversial, because the power in this world belongs to the Magisterium - a religious organization that denies the existence of these particles. Jordan College remains the only place where you can discuss such topics.
Further story is better not to repeat: those who have read the book, and so they know it, and the rest should immerse himself in a new world. In the first episode of the show is not a lot of events - this is only a familiarity with the characters.
Because of this series at first it may seem too slow, but only because it avoids the mistakes of the first film adaptation.
World of Pullman's books is very complex, so it probably still one or two episodes of complication will appear before the main action. But then the dynamics will begin to grow, and unexpected plot twists will tumble down one after another. Lira embark on a long and dangerous journey, meet armored bears, witches, King of the Gypsies, and many other interesting characters.
It is equally important that in this fantasy stories present a serious criticism of the church of an authoritarian regime, which seized absolute power. Therefore, the world in the series looks very interesting: there are cars and airships, but retains inquisitorial order, and talk of heresy.
"His Dark Materials" asked several areas of the story, and viewers will be able to choose what is more to their liking. Here and classical fantasy with magical creatures and stylistics of retro-futurism, and a lot of political intrigue, and even teen drama: Lyra relationship with Azriel and her new guardian Miss Coulter (Ruth Wilson) is very mixed.
You are waiting for a familiar face and great effects
Of equal dignity of the series - an amazing team working on the project. It directs the process of Jack Thorne, known for his screenplay for "scum" and the British "shameless manΒ». The first episode directed the winner of the "Oscar" for the film "The King's Speech"Tom Hooper.
The cast also pleased. Often the weakest part of the drama are young artists. But Daphne Keen, though looks a bit weaker in the scenes with dialogue than action movie "Logan" is still clearly in place. The more so because it has to play alongside McAvoy and Ruth Wilson, who immediately pulls on all the attention.
And yet the authors were able to create a very quick and pretty Damon. In children, they change shape, so Panteleimon - Lyra satellite - appears in a completely different species, from butterflies to the ferret, and as restless as the heroine herself. But Snow Leopard Azriel looks graceful and majestic.
Of course, in terms of dynamic scenes is still to come: we are waiting for large-scale battles, sea travel and flying witches. But given the huge investment in the project and the order of two seasons visual component should be at the highest level.
Against the backdrop of a huge number of projects, declaring himself the new "game of thrones"It is the" Dark beginnings "has all chances to become a legendary saga: in this famous series source, there are a lot of intriguing story lines, an unusual fantasy world and huge scope for beautiful shooting.
see alsoπΊπΏπ
- Why "Carnival Row" with Orlando Bloom - a bad fantasy, but a great drama
- 13 most brilliant fantasy series
- Fi time travel: what to expect from the 4th season of "very strange cases"
- The series "Cancel": this combination of fiction, drama and a detective you have not seen
- 20 very scary cartoons: creepy tales, gothic and steampunk