The Golden Compass Review

I wasn't completely sure what I was getting myself into watching this movie. I had seen previews, and heard some of the controversy, but did not know what the exact story was. The first time I watched it I was blown away. I thought it might be along the lines of a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter movie, and it does have similarities, but it stands on its own as a highly unique, completely unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable tale. The actor who plays Lyra, the main character, is a very talented young actress. She draws you in to her roll as an independent, slightly rebellious, clever, adventurous young girl in this alternate universe where your soul lives outside of you in the form of an animal. She is given a golden compass that reveals the truth to her in any situation and it helps her on her travels to the north to rescue some children who have been kidnapped. Along the way she befriends an "armored bear," a group of people called the "Gyptians," and an arial (pilot). There's lots of CGI, but not in a distracting way. There's some breathtaking scenery, good dialogue, and not a moment of boredom or an instance where you find yourself saying, "yeah but why doesn't he/she just do this..."
I've watched the DVD three times now, and am looking forward to the sequals.