What Happened to Creativity in Children's Media?

I saw The Golden Compass movie today. I love love love the Phillip Pullman books, for their beauty, creativity and strong social message. I'll admit I did not have high hopes for the movie because (as everyone knows) the book is usually better than the movie. But I wanted to see it, because I never indulge in a movie and to at least give it a chance.

It wasn't awful but it wasn't great either. The CGI and special effects were amazing and the setting was beautiful. Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman were fine, Sam Elliott was endearing but I was disappointed with the girl who played Lyra. She didn't have the acting depth to pull off such a deep and introspective character. The daemon were wonderful, although slightly computer animated-looking. Better than using real animals, I suppose.

The thing I've been thinking about since last night is how the television and film industries have almost completely given up on producing original children's media. Last night I saw a preview for a miniseries of Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff. And the previews before the movie today? Horton Hears a Who (Dr. Seuss), Inkheart (Cornelia Funke), The Water Horse (Dick King-Smith), Speed Racer (1960s Japanese animated series), Alvin and the Chipmunks (awful 80s animated series), Spiderwick Chronicles (Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black).

And what else has been released in the last couple of years?

Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson). So horrible I couldn't get past the first 20 minutes. I realize this might have something to do with my emotional attachment to the book but I thought they tried to turn it into another fantasy movie. The book is not fantasy, it is about imagination. There's a big difference between Harry Potter, who *is* a wizard and the kids in Bridge to Terabithia who *imagine* that they've found a magic place.

Eragon (Christopher Paolini). Haven't seen it but loved the book.

Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss).

Curious George (Margaret and H.A. Rey)

Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)

Babe (Dick King-Smith)

Dark is Rising (Susan Fletcher)

Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling). The beast that started it all.

Shoot, Amazon even has a section of movies adapted from kid's books.

And don't even get me started on all the adult movies that are adapted from books: Love in the Time of Cholera, Into the Wild, Beowulf.

Don't get me wrong. There are some great kid's movies being made. Ratatouille comes to mind. But I find myself disappointed in Hollywood. The success of Harry Potter has shown that kid's still like to read, especially if given the right books. Like adults, kids want to read for pleasure. The industry should be able to figure out a way to appeal to kids through books and media while still maintaining a sense of moving the industry forward and continuing to push creative boundaries. I accept that they care about profit. But merely recycling variations on Harry Potter and expecting kid's to be interested in them forever is naive, not good marketing and lazy.

I grew up in LA. I know that there are plenty of talented and creative people waiting to break into the business. Maybe they don't know everything about writing a blockbuster movie but great success comes from great risk. Perhaps if $180 million wasn't spent on The Golden Compass, five or more original movies could have been made.

Personally, I'm tired of magic. I'm tired of the bastardization of quality children's books. Move on.

(and yes, it really cost $180 million. http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/09/boxoffice.ap/)