Customer Reviews

The Golden Compass (full-screen Single-disc Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some of the people reviewing this film don't seem to know that
it is describing events in Pullman's multibook series, "His Dark Materials".

The movie is an astonishingly accurate portrayal of the first book,
which takes place in another universe with fundamentally different
ground rules, and very different societies.

The questions left open in the movie are also an accurate reflection
of where the issues stood in the book. So the people who are complaining
about this really need to take issue with the book rather than the movie.

This is my favourite fantasy movie from 2007--I liked it even better than Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The casting, direction, writing, and art direction are superb. The story is compelling and deep. Although this title is aimed at the teen set, the quality of this film transcends generations. I was particularly impressed by Dakota Blue Richards who is the perfect Lyra.

For some inexplicable reason this film did not do well at the box office. I really have no idea why. It did not seem to have any competition when it came out. If you missed it, now is your chance to catch it and discover a great movie to share with your whole family.

Love this film, wish they had made part 2 and 3. Order was quick and precise. Now I will enjoy this with my Grand kids.

Great story, fabulous actors and amazing special effects. Sit down with your family and enjoy! (Very young children may find the armed polar bear fight scene a bit scary).

There was little introduction, and the whole film sweeps by in 1 hr 45 mins, with little character development, and little explanation of what's going on. I found it hard to care about the characters, and to comprehend the writter's world. It was stressful to watch. As opposed to Lord of the Rings which is slowly introduced with much explanation of what's going on and why. I don't know why they didn't make this film at least half an hour longer to take some more time for this, and to slow things down.

I liked the story though, and presume the book is much more satisfying. The fantasy world is beautifuly depicted visually. Perhaps the film is meant to be watched repeatedly till one understands all the finer details.

It is very much like a flip side to Lion Witch and Wardrobe. Shame they may not come out with part two, as there are loose ends at the end of the film which add to the unsatisfyed feeling.

I really enjoyed this one, at the not-so-tender age of 66. The story is fascinating, most of the characters are well developed, and the visual FX are great. Probably a little too gory in a couple of places for younger kids, but definitely a must-see fantasy for all older ages.

My biggest regret is that, primarily because of poor box-office and so-so reviews of this one, New Line has no immediate plans to film the rest of the trilogy (although they do already have the rights, if I remember correctly). I for one will eagerly look forward to those, if they ever do materialize ... hopefully if DVD (and any other home media) sales are good, that'll help overcome New Line's pessimism.

This is a review I have deferred for about two years to let the initial controversies surrounding this film subside.I loved this movie upon its' theatrical release and New Line has done the movie proud by the release of this two disc set.
Like the uproar by certain Church groups and related organizations over the Da Vinci Code material,this movie too was attacked by the same or similar groups for its' supposed "heretical" and/or "anti-religious" themes.I find these groups rancour quite specious and founded,on many occasion,on sheer ignorance of the material at hand for the single purpose of fear mongering in the name of "truth".It is appalling and disgusting at the same time.
Here is a quote by the author Phillip Pullman in an interview from Time magazine around the time of the films' initial release:"I wouldn't want to be a part of any movement that had an agenda...I'm not arguing a case. I'm not preaching a sermon. I'm not giving a lecture. I'm telling a story. Any position I take is that of a storyteller who says, 'Once upon a time, this happened.'".
Anyone can find just about anything in what they read,see and hear.As long as one is educated and armed with the facts,no one needs to be running off willy-nilly tilting at windmills.
The story here involves a parallel world to ours where "dust"(the stuff of life) connects everyone and everything in the universe.Lyra Belacqua(Dakota Richards)is an 11 year old whose "Uncle" Asriel(Daniel Craig)is a professor at a university who has discovered what he believes is the secret to this "dust" and mounts an expedition to the far north to prove it.However the Magisterium(the ruling body)wants him stopped as it would mean an end to their power and influence.During his trip he is captured and Lyra,befriended by Mrs Coulter(agent for the Magisterium)starts on her journey not only to rescue him but many friends and other young people who are mysteriously disappearing;courtesy of the Gobblers, the agents of the Magisterium.The head of her school(and friend to Asriel)gives her an Elithiometer(Golden Compass)which reveals the reality of any notion or event of the users wishes;the only one known to exist.When Mrs.Coulters' real and assumed purpose in "helping" Lyra becomes clear,Lyra escapes.During this time a group of water-faring nomads called the Egyptians step in and rescue her and assist her on her journey north.Along the way she enlists the help an aeronaut by the name of Mr Scoresby(Sam Elliot) and a polar bear in exile by the name of Iorek Byrnison(voiced by Ian Mckellin).Also a representative of the witch clan,Serafina Pekkala(Eva Green),joins in the quest.Iorek becomes invaluable to Lyra who in turn helps him re-unite with his polar bear brothers and claim his rightful place as king.After this she infiltrates the Bolvingar prison where all the children have been taken in order to seperate their bodies from their souls.A gigantic battle ensues near the end of the film with Lyra and her compatriots winning the day.The battle is not yet over though and as the movie ends she,a friend and Iorek sail away in Mr Scoresbys' air machine to continue their quest.
The movies' special effects are seamless in this film and constitute a big part of its' charm.Things like the retro but futuristic vehicles(both ground and air),the myriad of different animals that appear which contain people's souls and that constantly walk,crawl and/or fly beside them and most especially Iorek the bear that comes to astounding but believable life and who is an integral part of this film.All in all amazing to behold.
This set contains two discs and the first contains the film.Beautifully transferred with its original 2:35:1 aspect ratio and surround 5:1 sound.The second disc is chock full of specials including featurettes on Phillips the author,director Chris Weitz's screenplay,the character of Lyra,costumes,music,production design,a behind the scenes look at the films'opening in Cannes and promo tour,a closer look at the bears,the golden compass itself,daemons(the name for the animals that human souls inhabit),and many others.
In conclusion this a film for the family(for children of about 10 and up) to enjoy and savour.Its' storyline is lush and it grabs you almost from the outset.It is a time honoured good versus evil film done in a most imaginative way,with Lyra,Prof.Azriel,Iorek,Mr.Scoresby,et al on one side and the Magisterium,the Gobblers,its' rep Mrs Coulter and all their assorted henchmen on the other.The acting is top notch by everyone involved and the special effects are fabulous and bring to life one of its' chief and most beloved characters,Iorek the polar bear.This is definitely one that belongs on everyone's shelf.

I mean come on, why remove the original ending weeks from release. The studio killed this potential trilogy. Shame really, it could have been GREAT!

Come to think if it the whole story is about protecting the innocent.

Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) was raised relatively unsupervised which lead to a wild child hood of mock-wars and mischievousness. An excellent liar who saves her from many situations, she may someday find her assets are liabilities. A chance visit by her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), will change her life for ever.

Well movies can not be the book and many times for brevity speeches are cut and locations are rearranged (from a 400 page book to a 110 page script.) But you have to draw the line some where. Unfortunately this is one of those times where they left the action in and changed the story form a multifaceted mystery to a black and white good guy vs. bad guy. We may as well have been watching Saturday afternoon cowboys with black and white hats. Some of the facets were skillfully woven into the non-verbal part of the film with the hope that you read the book and know what is happening. Still the focus switched from a coming of age story to free the slaves and what not. And what is with introducing a bad guy from the next installment to an earlier scene at Jordan collage that masking the turmoil of conciseness at the college?

I do agree that the movie needed to stop short of the cliffhanger end of the book. Let us see what happens when Lyra brings her father what he needs.

On the plus side, the costumes and props were excellent. The CGI did not overwhelm the story. Daemons knew their place. The music matched the scenes and did not overwhelm the dialog. They did a great job of choosing the actors. We can hope they will be around for "The Subtle Knife" (2009)." Nicole Kidman made a perfect Mrs. Coulter and the added scene where she slaps her monkey give hope to becoming more complex character. The voice of Iorek Byrnison (name changed) is Ian McKellen of "The Da Vinci Code" fame.

Well with any luck things may straighten out by the next installment.

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The Blu-ray comes with a bonus disk that has more footage on it than the movie its self. Watching this dark material and re-watching the film may give more insight to the story.

I would defy anyone to dislike this film; or any other fantasy/literary film like I do. As I said a million times, I was shocked, surprised and flabbergasted by the negative reviews I would see on the web, I thought that this film was AWESOME! with excellent effects, and heart-thumping action/adventure.

I am already reading The "Dark Materials" trilogy...I know that is a bit unorthodox, but that's me. The world of Lyra Belacqua is like ANYTHING you have ever seen: A world where your very soul walks besides you as an chosen animal; polar bears in armour and witches too. Like I said before I am into witches. You know, out the forms Pantalaimon (Pan) takes...I like him as a cat.