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All Movie Info
Starring:
Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Nonso Anozie, Eva Green, Jim Carter, Tom Courtenay, Clare Higgins, Sam Elliott, Simon McBurney, Jack Shepherd, John Bett, John Franklyn-Robbins, Magda Szubanski, Paul Antony-Barber, Jason Watkins, Ian McShane, Hattie Morahan, James Rawlings, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker, Charlie Rowe, Steven Loton, Jonathan Laury, James Rawlings, Tommy Luther, Bill Hurst
Directed By:
Chris Weitz
Written By:
Chris Weitz, Philip Pullman
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The Golden Compass (2007)
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Movie Review by Jarrod
December 8th, 2007
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'The Golden Compass' is a spectacular fantasy epic, adapted from a novel by Philip Pullman, the first part of a trilogy, future installments may hinge on the box office success of this film, which I doubt can live up to the standards set by LOTR or Harry Potter, yet it does rival, if not surpass, The Chronicles of Narnia, and really, Pullman and C.S. Lewis are at odds with other. The controversy surrounding 'The Golden Compass' was generated mainly from religious people, particularly Catholic advocates, who accused Pullman and his books of promoting atheism and suggesting that the world would be better off if God were dead. A tyrannical entity called the Magisterium is supposed to represent organized religion, the Catholic Church in particular, and it seeks to suppress free will, to stop people from thinking for themselves, so that it can tell them exactly what decisions to make and how to live their lives. Pullman is apparently an outspoken atheist, and Lewis was a Christian apologist, and Narnia, despite the presence of magical creatures and other things typically deemed satanic, subversive, and evil by religious groups, was hailed as a masterpiece of children's literature, while Pullman's works have been hypocritically denounced.
I could detect no anti-religious bias in this movie, at least nothing explicit, if it is there, it is subtle and well-hidden. Nonetheless, 'The Golden Compass' is a thrilling, imaginative adventure tale, with awesome special effects, highlighted by superb battle sequences and smart storytelling. Lyra Belacqua (Richards) is a young orphan being raised by scholars at a university. Her only living relative is her uncle, Lord Asriel (Craig), a famous explorer. She is entrusted with something called an alethiometer, a device that responds truthfully to any question one poses to it. It allows for secrets and lies to be exposed, which is one reason the Magisterium has sought to confiscate and destroy it.
Yet Lyra has one, and keeps it with her, protecting it from both the Magisterium, and one of its agents, Mrs. Coulter (Kidman), who persuades Lyra to accompany her to the north. Lyra's best friend, Roger (Ben Walker) goes missing, abducted by a mysterious organization known as the "Gobblers", and she also realizes that Coulter is not all she appears to be, so she escapes and goes on a journey to find Roger and rescue him. Along the way, she picks up quite a collection of companions, including armored ice bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellan), who has been exiled from his kingdom, Lee Scoresby (Elliott), an aeronaut, or someone who flies around in an airship, though he looks and sounds very much like a cowboy, straight out of the Wild West. There is also Serafina (Eva Green), a witch, who can fly fast and shoot arrows, and John Faa (Jim Carter), king of the Gyptians, who are, as best I can tell, a cross between pirates and Gypsies.
Every person has a daemon, a guardian spirit of sorts, which follows them everywhere. Lyra's can talk, and change shape, from ferret to bird to perhaps many other creatures. Other daemons manifest themselves as snakes, owls, and monkeys. There is also a substance called Dust, the purpose of which I am not certain, but one is forbidden to discuss it, under Magisterium decree. Daemons can and do fight each other, and if their human counterpart dies, they disappear, as well. The relationship is symbiotic, a human cannot live or function properly without his or her daemon, and vice versa. The plot is complicated, especially for those who haven't read the book, and keeping certain terms and characters sorted out may prove challenging, but the film is deliberately paced, and it explains things well, and moves slowly enough so that you can follow what is going on. Not to say it is boring. After the beginning segments have ended, you are treated a rather amazing display of CGI craftsmanship, as Iorek and another ice bear have a nasty bout with one another, and a climactic clash between Lyra's allies and the security forces, if you will, of a "Gobbler" facility in a remote frozen wasteland is truly a sight to behold.
Kidman is great as the cold and conniving Coulter, and McKellan provides excellent voice work, thunderous and intimidating, but with hints of kindness and warmth, especially when he talks to Lyra. Craig has little more than an extended cameo, in what proves to be a fairly disposable role. Dakota Blue Richards is the real star, she carries this movie from start to finish, as the intelligent and resourceful Lyra. Elliott seems a bit out of place, but is good for a few laughs here and there. Children may be enthralled, if they can follow the story, or probably even if they cannot, and adults will find it entertaining no matter how the kids respond to it.
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