His Dark Materials

HBO | Release Date: November 3, 2019

7.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 142 Ratings

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f1o_o1fMar 25, 2020

I've been a fan of the books for about a decade now since I first read them. To me the show is just painful and it absolutely couldn't hook me.

The dialogue is painfully bad, especially of the kids. Lyra was annoying in the books already butI've been a fan of the books for about a decade now since I first read them. To me the show is just painful and it absolutely couldn't hook me.

The dialogue is painfully bad, especially of the kids. Lyra was annoying in the books already but Daphne Keen makes it even worse (maybe that's a good thing?).

Most actors don't seem interested and the special effects could've been way better in our time.

Also the alterations they made from the books were mostly unnecessary and many scenes would've improved drastically, if they were just a little closer to the source material. I'm afraid to say that even the movie (which I didn't like) managed that alot better at times.

Don't get me started on the cinematography. I'm just from the audience so I don't have any expertise whatsoever BUT there are so many horrible shots that killed the already thin immersion due to bad composition or camera angles...

Generelly very disappointing to someone who waited a long time for a just adaptation. Guess I'll wait for even longer...… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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shoulderoforionDec 22, 2019

From the Coca Cola bears to the "Gyptians" to the tortured children, I can't say I liked this show very much. I'm all for fantasy, but this was way too weird to get my head around, even after 8 episode. Weird and uncomfortable, like I wasFrom the Coca Cola bears to the "Gyptians" to the tortured children, I can't say I liked this show very much. I'm all for fantasy, but this was way too weird to get my head around, even after 8 episode. Weird and uncomfortable, like I was missing the joke, but knowing there was no joke to be found. Probably catch the second season too, as I'm a glutton for punishment.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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umaumaiJan 27, 2020

I started out liking HDM. The world building is okay here, but that’s about all it had to offer as the foreshadowing almost gives everything away. Strangely though you never really get a sense of what’s at stake as it introduces a fewI started out liking HDM. The world building is okay here, but that’s about all it had to offer as the foreshadowing almost gives everything away. Strangely though you never really get a sense of what’s at stake as it introduces a few fantastic characters only to have them leave once they have somewhat motivated the story forward. That’s not uncommon in series like this, but I was left not really understanding what the antagonists actual motivation was to the point that I yelled “BS” when they spoke their last lines in the finale. Sadly, they didn’t take the time to care how they ended the first season as it almost literally freeze frame stopped just after essentially breaking the main thrust of the lead’s entire story arc. There’s much better out there to put the time into watching so if this doesn’t grab you on the first episode, I’d skip it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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BitashJan 20, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I never read the book or saw the movie, had super high hopes for this one with its impressive cast and unbelievable.production. The CGI is unreal, the animals are sooo real. However, the series lacked excitement it could have had for me. I guess they are following a book...but its a bit flat. It could have been so much better, I disliked how Lyra wins every battle and she even falls off a Hot air balloon and nothing happens to her! Not even a scratch ! And she is brave enough to fight every animal...blah blah....she made it boring for me after a while. Disenyish for me..... kiddy! Too hokey.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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kazernielJun 12, 2020

This show is sadly very mediocre. Pretty much every single scene just feels so uncomfortable and stilted. Most scenes are very different from the written original both in events and tone. They cut out book scenes, and introduce new onesThis show is sadly very mediocre. Pretty much every single scene just feels so uncomfortable and stilted. Most scenes are very different from the written original both in events and tone. They cut out book scenes, and introduce new ones instead. The original plot points and revelations are all shuffled up into an unappealing mess. Daemons barely appear, and with the exception of Hester, they seem completely irrelevant.

The art direction also feels almost nonexistent. The 2007 movie was visually gorgeous and had a strong, consistent visual theme. Here everything is just so drab and thematically confused - by the environments and clothes it feels more set in the 60-70s, than in the late 19th - early 20th century.

It feels like the series tried to incorporate as much lore from the terrible La Belle Sauvage novel into the trilogy as possible, largely to its detriment.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BeardedYodaJan 15, 2020

It should be stated that I haven't read the book trilogy that this series is based on so take what you will from that. Generally speaking this series had well done acting and was interesting enough to keep me watching it. But, I was boredIt should be stated that I haven't read the book trilogy that this series is based on so take what you will from that. Generally speaking this series had well done acting and was interesting enough to keep me watching it. But, I was bored through most of it and didn't really care about many of the characters. The few parts that weren't boring to me and that I found intriguing were the only things that kept me watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JohnWRiterJan 10, 2020

Podría empezar esta ocasión con la palabra "decepción" como detonante, pero creo que la guardaré para el final, ya van teniendo una idea de por dónde va mi criterio esta vez. Pensé que después del final de GOT nuestra querida HBO no me daríaPodría empezar esta ocasión con la palabra "decepción" como detonante, pero creo que la guardaré para el final, ya van teniendo una idea de por dónde va mi criterio esta vez. Pensé que después del final de GOT nuestra querida HBO no me daría más disgustos...me equivoqué. Termino His Dark Materials (HDM) una serie fantástica basada en las novelas de Philip Pullman y los sentimientos encontrados me saturan. Por donde comenzar...Hace mucho tiempo vi La Brújula Dorada, película basada también en las novelas y ver la serie (HDM) me llevó al pasado, he de admitir que esta entrega es un poco mejor, pero solo por los efectos especiales, por lo demás ambas son IGUALES, con algún que otro pequeño cambio en el orden (solo el orden) de los hechos, pero por lo demás la serie, la película y la novela parecen hermanos trillizos cosa absurda que no deja nada nuevo para el disfrute del público. Un derroche de presupuesto por parte de New Line Cinema que de tan fiel a la historia original llena los capítulos de escenas largas, tediosas y carentes del elemento principal que debería reinar: la aventura. Salvan la entrega la buena actuación protagónica de Dafnee Keen interpretando a Lyra Belacqua y los pequeños momentos que nos regala James McAvoy. Por otra parte la serie lleva a la par la historia de Will Parry, proveniente del segundo libro, (La Daga) cosa que no ayuda en mucho a la calidad y fuerza del argumento, de hecho entorpece la trama principal con escenas aburridas, cortantes y que, si bien pudieron ser una historia para contar en otro momento, solo fue utilizada para proponernos una segunda temporada que no me molestaría para nada si nunca viese la luz. Para mí, 5/10...nada nuevo con His Dark Materials … Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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stevekmMar 10, 2023

A "Harry Potter" wannabe, I just couldn't get into this. Let's see, another world in another dimension, check, each human has an animal partner, check, her parents have a mysterious past, check.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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