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Sunday July 20, 2008
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Reviews - Films
Reviews - Films
Well, it was an unexpected experience. The movie was extraordinary as far as special effects were concerned. The parallel world portrayed in the story certainly engaged the imagination. The first superman movie a number of years ago promoted itself with the tagline, "you'll believe a man can fly!" In Compass, you might believe that "animals can speak" as animals – both natural and demons – appear to think rationally and to speak. Oh yes, the film is a feast for the eyes and the imagination - if you let it get away on you. But what of the controversy that the film is anti-Catholic and atheistic? Well, that was one of the surprises of the film. It does not merely scorn the Catholic Church and propose a godless world. What is presented is nothing less than a Luciferian vision of life and of the world. The battle is not merely against the church, but against God. It is led by those who choose to reject Him; by those who say "I shall not serve (Him)!" The perspective, however, is what may be disconcerting for many a viewer. It is like watching a World War II movie but from the ideological viewpoint of a fervent Soviet or Nazi film director. Once the viewer understands this, the film makes much more sense. There are many instances in the film where disparaging insinuations are made in regard to the Church. At the same time Judeo-Christian culture is often, albeit subtly, challenged or rejected. I will try to offer some of the more blatant examples. An allusion is made to Adam and Eve and how they opened their free wills by eating of the tree of knowledge. According to the film, these ancestors opened themselves to receiving the "dust" of wisdom and freedom. The Magisterium (a reference to the Church or even, quite appropriately, the teaching of the Church) is trying to stop anyone else from having access to the "dust". We are to be alarmed that they are close to succeeding. The headquarters of Magisterium (a seeming combination of the St. Peter's and Fatima Basilicas) and a local Magisterium agency in a small northern town are obviously churches. The latter is a small wooden, but imposing eastern Christian (Orthodox?) church with Byzantine frescoes. The top officials of Magisterium meet in Vatican-esque halls and corridors, where they do their wicked plotting … all for what they believe to is best for the people. All people have visible "demons" rather than, say, guardian angels. These are manifested as a variety of animals that reflect the character of the person – a noble leopard, a cute kitty, a bird or rabbit. If the character is nasty, well, so would be their demon. (Interesting side note: when using the computer thesaurus, the antonym of demon is "angel"). However, in the film demons are portrayed as friendly creatures and serve as confidants and aides. Witches are bold, beautiful warriors that ally themselves with those who resist the Magisterium and everything it stands for. There are the Gyptians, a wandering people of eastern or middle-eastern origin who are found in every city and are also often victims of the Magisterium. They too join the quest to fight for their children – some who have been captured by the GOBlers and sent away for the terrifying "indecision" operation. The G.O.B. is the Gestapo-like or KGB-like (depending where they are operating) policing arm of the Magisterium. The "O" stands for "oblation" (act of worship; Eucharistic offering) - one of the many subtle peculiar jabs that the film takes at religion. The Russian-speaking Tartars are an army of nasties, each with a demon wolf. They enforce the will of the Magisterium at a northern secret institute (a type of separate school of sorts) where children are subject to lies and are painfully separated from their demons for life. There is the whole sequence of the polar bear kingdom. The bears have no demons. Perhaps the bears themselves are demons that are free or are not yet attached to a person. I suppose in the written trilogy it is clearer as to their significance. Their purpose in the film, besides offering an interesting subplot and a powerful ally for the anti-Magisterium crowd, may have been to simply offer a side analogy. Again the Luciferian angle… Lucifer was originally defeated in battle by the Archangel and lost his just claim to the throne (in the film by deceit and trickery), but now he comes back and violently destroys the "pretender" and takes his rightful position as king of the bears. Another bad omen for the Magisterium and the "Ideal" it serves. There is a particular charming character throughout the story. Lyra is a spunky and very bright little girl. She, it seems, is the foretold chosen one, a saviour of sorts, who will lead the ever-growing forces against the Magisterium. These forces, consisting of witches, bears, Gyptians and open-minded converts all rally to her aid and her leadership. She is shrewd and cunning and does what she wants. Is the film dangerous? Let me put it this way… There are frightening scenes. The bear fight is not long, but it does get surprisingly violent. Who knows what film-ratings mean anymore these days, but the film was rated "PG" which in North America basically means "no age restriction, but parental guidance is advised". Parents/adults who allow their children and any children in their care to see this film without solid guidance and discussion, however, would certainly be remiss in their duties. The strong images and impressions and messages of this film are many and they all need clarification and balancing and, yes, correction from a Christian perspective. Will the film cause a Harry Potter-like frenzy of young readers rushing to the local bookshop to snatch up the Philip Pullman "His Dark Materials" trilogy upon which the film is based? That is a further concern. The film is not doing as well as expected at the box office. Also, the Harry-Potter-mania thing has been recently experienced. Perhaps the young will now be looking for something different and unique by which to differentiate themselves from their older siblings. Nonetheless, there will certainly be a sequel to the film and many who still read anything longer than a newspaper article or a website may very well turn to the books to get the fuller story. If the film is a very watered-down version of the books, as many claimed, then there is reason for concern. One can only imagine how far the books go in presenting and developing the anti-God and anti-religion themes. I personally would not encourage anyone to see the film. I wholly concur with the profound concern expressed by various pastors and laity. If I needed to describe the film with a single word, I would choose "pernicious". It is a film with an agenda. It is a film targeted at the young who may still be swayed and indoctrinated (ironically, this is one of the unspeakable crimes of which the "evil" Magisterium is indicted in the storyline). If there is anything positive in this Compass controversy, it is that it serves as a wakeup call to anyone still interested in the Gospel mandate. We must renew ourselves in the faith. Our Catechism efforts must be deeply educational with regard to the truths of the Faith, as well as being pastoral and ecumenical. We need to offer the same for our youth and young adults (and older adults). Within the film, for example, many of the messages are very subtle. One who does not have a proper foundation in the Faith will easily be taken up with the seemingly positive values of "goodwill", the "search for truth" and the potentially hedonistic interpretation of "free will". Furthermore, it becomes very obvious that the much touted New Evangelization must become much more than just a "great idea". It must become a daily reality for all member of the Body of Christ. In this Evangelization - which must be based on faith and knowledge - we really need to start using the remarkable means of mass communication now available to us. We see purveyors of various ideologies and "religions" doing this very effectively. That we would accomplish this with no deception or manipulation would surely increase our success a hundred fold. © Copyright 1997-2006 Catholic Insight
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