Why Dark Beginnings is the Most Promising Fantasy of the Year

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This project is not like Game of Thrones. But it is he, according to critic Alexei Khromov, who will become her main replacement.

The BBC and HBO (in Russia - on "KinoPoisk HD" and "Amediatek") released a new film adaptation of the series of books by Philip Pullman "Dark beginnings".

This event is important for several reasons at once. First, the book original is a true legend. Pullman's trilogy ranks third in the BBC's 200 Best Novels list. The author stunningly combined a magical story in the spirit of "Harry Potter" with criticism of religion and a careful study of an unusual world.

Secondly, the serial version must correct mistakes made during the filming of the film "The Golden Compass", which is based on the first part of the trilogy. Then the authors invested a huge budget, made good special effects and hired excellent actors. But they tried to fit too many events into one picture, and even removed all acute and controversial topics from the plot. As a result, the film failed ‘Golden Compass’ voted worst film adaptation and finally ruined New Line Cinema.

The first season of "Dark Principles" is very happy and provides an excellent groundwork for the continuation. On British television, the premiere has already become the largest in the past five years. However, the project, although it is fascinating from the first series, accelerates very slowly.

"Dark beginnings" is a fairy tale for children and adults

The action takes place in a world where part of the soul of each person exists separately in the form of a talking animal - a daemon, and science and technology coexist with magic. The plot revolves around a young orphan named Lyra Belaqua (Daphne Keane, best known for the movie Logan), who lives at Jordan College, Oxford. Once Lyra was brought there by her uncle Lord Asriel (James McAvoy), leaving to be raised by a local master.

Asriel himself regularly goes on expeditions to the far north, where he discovers mysterious particles called "dust". They make it possible to see other worlds or even get into them.

Azriel's discovery causes an ambiguous reaction, 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 to discuss such topics.

It is better not to retell the further plot: those who have read the books already know it, and the rest should personally immerse themselves in the new world. The first three episodes do not show too many events at all - this is just an acquaintance with the characters.

But this slow pace is simply necessary to avoid the mistakes of the first film adaptation.

The world of Pullman's books is very complex, and the series captures the second volume at once, showing a parallel world where the young man Will Parry lives. In the first season, the need for this character is not so obvious. But the more interesting it will be to watch the sequel.

But in the world of Lyra, by the middle of the season, the dynamics are growing. The girl embarks on a long and dangerous journey, meets the gypsy king, an armored bear, an aeronaut, witches and many other interesting characters.

Equally important, there is some serious criticism of the authoritarian order of the church, which has taken absolute power, in this fantasy story. Therefore, the world in the series looks very interesting: there are airships and technical progress is in full swing, but at the same time the inquisitorial orders and talk of heresy are preserved.

"Dark beginnings" set several directions for the development of the plot at once, and the viewer will be able to choose what he likes best. Here and classic fantasy with magical creatures and the style of retro-futurism, and a lot of political intrigue, and even a teenage drama: Lyra's relationship with Azriel and her new guardian Miss Coulter (Ruth Wilson) is very ambiguous.

Familiar faces and great effects await you

No less advantage of the series is the amazing team working on the project. Jack Thorne, known for scripts for "The Dregs" and the British "Shameless", is leading the process. The first episode was directed by the Oscar winner for The King's Speech! Tom Hooper.

The cast is happy too. Young actors are often the weakest link in a drama. But Daphne Keane, although she looks a little weaker in scenes with dialogues than in the action "Logan", is still clearly in her place. Moreover, she has to play alongside McAvoy and Ruth Wilson, who immediately grab all the attention.

And the authors managed to create very lively and cute daemons. In children, they change shape, so Panteleimon - Lyra's companion - appears in completely different forms, from a ferret to a butterfly, and is as restless as the heroine herself. But Azriel's snow leopard looks graceful and majestic.

True, episodic heroes of daemons are sometimes forgotten to draw. Therefore, viewers have to come up with excuses, as if fantastic creatures are hiding somewhere nearby. But this script flaw can be forgiven against the background of other advantages.

Although the show leans more towards drama than action, it has a lot of cool scenes: some decent battles, hot air balloon rides, and lovely witches. And the fight between two bears looks very realistic.

Against the background of a huge number of projects declaring themselves the new "Game of Thrones", it is "Dark Principles" that has every chance of becoming a legendary saga: this series has a famous source, it has many intriguing storylines, an unusual fantasy world and a huge scope for beautiful filming.