the Golden Compass

Saw the Golden Compass via a sneak preview screening Saturday, 1 December 2007, at 710pm. I did not read the book before I saw the movie, so I was trying to see if I could enjoy the movie as it was. I did not think it was a good film. The film felt rushed; the characters and the relationships between them were not fully developed. I literally gasped when, after an extended pause, I saw the director's name as the credits started rolling. I couldn't believe that Chris Weitz chose to end it like that. The day after the movie, I started reading the book. Granted, I've only read the first five chapters, but it seemed like the book and the movie tell 2 different stories. I read that Chris Weitz needed to make this film financially successful so that he can make the rest of the trilogy. But after this critical flop, who would watch the next 2?