The Golden Compass Reviews

Overall

3.51 of 5 (by 35 users)

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The Golden Compass Review Summary

With all the controversy surrounding The Golden Compass, Viewpoints moviegoers see the issue several different ways. Written as part of a trilogy by Philip Pullman, the film adaptation tells the story of a "young girl on the cusp of adulthood" who receives a golden compass, allowing her to see events, past and future. While a boycott of The Golden Compass is in effect by some, some reviewers feel it should be supported, thinking the film is anti-religion or anti-Christian. Other reviewers feel it is nothing but a fun, sci-fi fantasy film, along the lines of a Harry Potter film. While many report that their children enjoyed The Golden Compass, others that have seen the film insist it isn't meant for children as it raises too many questions.

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The Golden Compass Comparison

Most Helpful
Favorable Review

GREAT MOVIE

DEC

2007

I was so excited by the interesting trailers for The Golden Compass , I was rather surprised by the reation of people having comments about religion. After seeing the movie I am very surprised people are concerned about the religion aspect. Seriously after seeing movies like harry potter, lord of… read full review »

into movies that tell a great story

kjdoering
Dresden, ME

Most Helpful
Critical Review

The Golden Compass...Love Your Soul....

JAN

2008

I recently saw the movie The Golden Compass. I took my three children and my husband with me. Now, my husband and my kids had not read the book, and I had. My youngest child had started the book and not stayed with it. I loved the book. The book was… read full review »

watching with kids, very picky about kids films

maryellenp
Manchester, NH

The Golden Compass Ratings and Reviews

items/page: 15 | 30 | 50 displaying 1 to 13 of 35 sort by: most helpful | date | rating

helpful
votes

Good fantasy movie

married, a woman, a fan of clever plots

FEB

2008

I went to see this with my husband after seeing the trailers. We weren't disappointed! I haven't read the books yet (though I'm intending to after seeing this film), but the plot made sense and was enjoyable. I though Nicole Kidman did an excellent portrayal. The special effects were great. — — Neither of us saw any of the "anti-Christian" themes that were supposed to be so prevalent throughout the story (and we were looking for them after all the hype) so I'm a little confused about all the boycotting. If we as adults didn't see them, then I'm not too worried about my… read full review »

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GMRsMom
Oakland Gardens, NY

helpful
votes

Amazing fantasy story about love and friendship.

a woman, a lover of quirky unique films, comedy fan, a music lover, Movie guru, Lover of quirky, unique films, movie buff, college student

DEC

2007

Before watching "The Golden Compass", I didn't know much about the story. There was talk among myself, friends, and even journalists about the controversy surrounding the film. It was meant to appeal to youngster like "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" did; but rather than being a story about Christianity, it was meant to be a story about Athiesm. I was a little concerned, but curious. As a Christian, I love God with all of my heart; but as a human being, I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. — — When the movie began, I was… read full review »

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ghostlysun
Indiana, PA

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helpful
vote

The Golden Compass is a fun movie

into action flicks, into movies that tell a great story, a movie reviewer

AUG

2008

Nicole Kidman, Sam Elliott, Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig and Eva Green play in The Golden Compass. — — Plot: Lyra (Richards) travels to the far north to save her friend and the other children from the bad people who kidnapped them and try to separate them from their demons. Demons (animals) are the humans inner soul which walk and talk with their humans. If something happens to the demon it also happens to the human and vice versa. — — What I thought: I really like the idea of the demons and how Lyra's demon changes forms. The demons are… read full review »

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jazzybean01
Paradise, CA

helpful
vote

A beautiful film, especially if you've read the book.

into movies that tell a great story, into action flicks, a pet owner, married, Narnia Fan, Sci-Fi fan, Father, Movie guru

DEC

2007

After being excited by the interesting trailers for The Golden Compass , I was rather surprised by the calls for a boycott. After doing some basic research, I decided to both read the book and see the movie for myself. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed the movie and find much to commend, however, some of the criticisms from the Christian community are accurate and anyone seeing this movie especially with youth should be prepared to discuss the points of disagreement and why. I do not believe the movie is suitable for young children. There are scenes of peril and violence they might find disturbing. … read full review »

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revcrab
Strawberry Plains, TN

helpful
vote

Dont Waste Your Money or Your Time

Movie guru

DEC

2007

Went to the premier of this here in Tampa last night. I was really looking forward to seeing this and all excited because I had gotten free passes. Boy was I sure disappointed and so was my husband! Granted, we're two older adults (I'm 40 & he's 53) but we both have enjoyed other "children's" story's in the past. — I went into this not knowing anything about the story as I have never read the book. Maybe that would have made a difference. The basic plot is that there is a parallel world where there are witches, gypsies, talking polar bears (I kept waiting for them to break out the… read full review »

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MsSC1985
Tampa, FL

helpful
vote

A humanist epic for all ages!

character-lover, a fan of clever plots, chronic book buyer, a writer, a fan of quick, page turning books, personal bookworm trainer, avid reader, fiction reader

DEC

2007

Pullman's The Golden Compass envelops the reader in the tale of Lyra, a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. The first in a trilogy titled His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass embarks on a long journey which follows Lyra through much of her own world. On a mission to save a friend, the brave Lyra, whose losses are only beginning, finds true strength in the form of friendships forged for a lifetime. — A must read, this novel gets the reader emotionally involved with all characters and with their missions. Despite, what others may have said, the novels "anti-religious"… read full review »

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coolceruleanblue
Woodside, NY

helpful
vote

A good film based on a better book.

Sci-Fi fan

DEC

2007

The special effects and the scenery are stunning. The acting, for the most part is well done. — — Despite what many Christian Groups have said this is not a particularly anti-Christian movie. It is an anti-authoritian movie. Most of the overty anti-religious parts of the book were gone. — — The book is, however, better. The movie suffers from not being long enough to cover the books. For example, the book explains the relationship between Lyra and the witches better. Where as in the movie, when the witches… read full review »

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BubbaBubba
Beltsville, MD

helpful
vote

Will keep you wanting more

comedy fan

JUN

2008

The Golden Compass was AMAZING with the cute animals and amazing plotline. It goes from fairy tale to action, to plain-and-simple running for your life. The movie was good for kids, besides the one part where there was quite a bit of fighting. The good thing is, there wasn't any blood as far as I could… read full review »

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alyssa10345
Dearborn, MI

Follow the Golden Compass for a fun fantasy ride!

into movies that tell a great story, Lover of quirky, unique films

DEC

2007

The evening I went to see The Golden Compass, I was looking for a fun, entertaing film as an "escape" from everyday affairs. The Golden Compass fulfilled that need perfectly, with the only exception being that the movie seemed to end too soon. I guess that is one sign of a good movie--that you don't want it to end. — — The story revolves around a Lyra, a 12-year-old girl who receives a golden compass that allows her to see future or past events that she must use in her efforts to discover why other children are 'going missing' and who or what is behind these… read full review »

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martron3000
Albany, NY

Parenting begins at home

mother

DEC

2007

Well, first off, I didn't have much interest in seeing this movie, until all the boycotting began. I guess I don't understand all of the drama over a movie. As a mother, I monitor ALL of the movies and television shows my child watches. There are plenty of movies that aren't under a boycott that I would not let my child watch, for one reason or another. — For that reason, I decided to watch the movie for myself and decide how I felt about it. If you are someone on the fence, that maybe doesn't want to contribute to the movies revenue, I suggest getting the book… read full review »

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jajochku3
Butler, PA

Disappointing!

a busy person, horror film watcher, a frequent film-goer, college student, a music lover, love to travel, into movies that tell a great story, a fan of clever plots

DEC

2007

So, I just got back from the movie theater and I decided to write a review about the movie. As a matter of fact, I was so pleased when I first watched the trailer of The Golden Compass and couldn't wait for the movie to be released so I could watch it. And seeing Nicole Kidman in the movie made it worth the waiting. BUT, it was not as I thought it would be. I think the movie is too short for a fantasy story, and it was fast and straightforward in its plot that it didn't need much thinking to figure out what's going on.. or even get surprised about the incidents. — The characters were… read full review »

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millehoney
Indiana, PA

unique, original, and highly entertaining fantasy movie

into Independent Films, character-lover, DVD collector, a fan of clever plots

MAY

2008

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,… read full review »

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jlynn88
Winter Park, FL

A little hard to follow but still a fantastical mystical film.

Narnia Fan, Movie guru, DVD collector, into movies that tell a great story

DEC

2007

I really liked this movie. The Anti-Christian theme is not obvious when you are looking for a mystical type film. Maybe the next two will reveal a darker theme. Love the actor/actresses involved and the deamons are neat. This movie says nothing of the child killing God like the rumors state. I believe that the controversy over this film is creating something that is only going to take away from the actual movie. Throughout, I kept trying to find the Anti-Christian undertones. Instead I saw good versus evil. I can see where this movie could… read full review »

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Lauralynn
Wheatfield, IN

Reviews of The Golden Compass

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Key Information	Directors Robert Shaye Stars Nicole Kidman Actors Dakota Blue Richards Genre Dramas Subgenre Fantasy Worlds • Witches And Wizards • Soul • Bears • Fantasy MPAA Rating PG-13 (MPAA) Available Formats DVD: Widescreen UPC 794043120114 Release Date 2007 Running Time 1hr 54min
Languages	Original Language English
DVD Editions	DVD Editions DVDWarner Home VideoApril 29, 2008PG-13 (MPAA)794043120169
Credits	Screenwriter Tobias Emmerich
Professional Reviews	Professional Reviews (12/07/2007, Kenneth Turan): "[A] formidable piece of craftsmanship, using some 1,100 effects shots to bring forth a physical...

The Golden Compass Reviews

The Golden Compass Review Summary

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The Golden Compass Ratings and Reviews

Reviews of The Golden Compass

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