Pullman's been showing up in various interviews lately, saying he really likes the movie. Granted, though, most of his comments focus on how well he thinks the actors did (which I very much agree with), than larger choices the adaptation made. Also, I suspect the ending was cut fairly recently, so he may have appeared in this interviews either before that choice was made or without knowing of it.

I saw that interview, and had pretty much the same reaction. I don't if I'd rather believe someone actually read the books and got that out of it, or if they're just saying so because that's the standard plot summary for most children's books and movies these days.