Crappy film

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

This is a good fantasy movie, amazing universe with excellent acting, especially the main character Lyra Belacqua played by Dakota Blue Richard.I don't know why this movie received such a low rating. My guess is that they compared it with the original book, or maybe simply disagree with the book premises.

This fantasy film doesn't fit with the general genre of fairy tales. It's far too dark for that. I don't know how closely the film follows the novel by Philip Pullman. I can see why it's PG-13, because there's way too much frightening stuff for kids in "The Golden Compass." The screenplay doesn't achieve a clear separation of the good and bad in the scenes of violence. Whatever message may have been intended surely wasn't clear – unless it was confusion. For older kids and adults, it's not very well done. The screenplay is hard to follow, or make connections in places. The one very good thing about the production is the melding of the animation, CGI and real life characters and scenes. For that the film deserved it Oscar for best visual effects. But the story is to disjointed, and there's nothing special about any of the acting. I wonder why Nicole Kidman would take the part of Mrs. Coulter in this movie. Movie makers who want to do fantasies of this sort should study Peter Jackson's work in "The Lord of the Rings" series.

As the film opens it is explained that there are many parallel universes a in the one where the film is set people's souls dwell in animals, known as daemons, that accompany them everywhere. In this world a group known as the Magisterium wants to keep knowledge from the people that may weaken their authority. In a parallel Oxford a member of the Magisterium attempts to poison scientist Lord Asriel not realising that his niece Lyra, an orphan, is observing his action. She saves her uncle and he proceeds to leave for the far north to research the things that the Magisterium is keenest to keep hidden. Shortly after he leaves the college master gives Lyra a device known as the alethiometer, the golden compass of the title, which reveals the truth to those who can read it. There were once many such devices but this is the last one. Mrs. Coulter offers to take Lyra to her uncle but it is clear that her intentions aren't as pure as she would have Lyra believe. Realising that Mrs Coulter is a threat Lyra escapes and meets aeronaut Lee Scoresby who takes her north. Here she makes an alliance with an icebear and faces many dangers before confronting Mrs. Coulter again.I haven't read the books so can't say how close this adaption is to the original… perhaps that is a good thing as it means I'm but put off by any changes. The story is interesting and the film does a good job introducing this parallel world and its differences. I particularly liked the idea of the daemons; these creatures were beautifully rendered so that sometimes I wasn't sure if it was CGI or a real animal. There is plenty of action and a good number of scares although nothing too scary for younger viewers. The cast that features plenty of well-known actors, including Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, does a fine job although it is the young Dakota Blue Richards who dominates the film; she is rarely off the screen and does a great job as Lyra. The story moves at a good pace all the way to the end… and this is where the problem begins; this was clearly meant to be the first film in a series but those sequels were never made so there is no sense of closure as Lyra's quest is clearly far from over… it is as though the 'Lord of the Rings' films were cancelled after 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. Overall I'd say this was an enjoyable film; it is just a pity the story wasn't finished.

The Golden Compass (2007): Dir: Chris Weitz / Cast: Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green: Adventure about guidance as a golden compass is thrust into the possession of a young girl. Interesting directing choice for Chris Weitz after directing About a Boy and the dreadful Down to Earth. He has managed to switch up genres while keeping his resume semi interesting. Exciting and adventurous that turns to constant action within the third act. Dakota Blue Richards does well as the young lead holding her own against her much more famous co-stars as well as the exquisite special effects surrounding her. She plays off intelligence in the face of adult adversary. Nicole Kidman plays an enchanting seductress named Mrs. Coulter whose downfall was underestimating Richards. Daniel Craig is featured as Richards' uncle in what is mostly a standard role but Craig rises above it. Sam Elliott also rises above conventions as a Texan who flies a plane. He leads Richards to an armored polar bear where she seeks help but first she must witness a massive battle between two of the polar warriors. Eva Green plays a witch queen, which is not much of a stretch from her usual roles. Pointless and often corny with animal companions that seem to double as souls. Weird storytelling but the visual elements are tremendous and render the compass a worthwhile adventure. Score: 7 ½ / 10