The Golden Compass
New Line Cinema | Release Date: December 7, 2007
6.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 395 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
200
Mixed:
91
Negative:
104
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
3
L.E.Dec 13, 2007
Very boring movie, but better than the book, which is the biggest crap, I've ever read.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
2
TannerDec 13, 2007
Awful, I can't believe anyone would give this movie any credit at all. The story is obscure and while some people call the ridiculous plot intriguing, I call it boring and slow. I haven't felt this way about a movie since Larry the Awful, I can't believe anyone would give this movie any credit at all. The story is obscure and while some people call the ridiculous plot intriguing, I call it boring and slow. I haven't felt this way about a movie since Larry the cable guy health inspector. I wouldn't even recommend this movie to rent. I felt as though I wasted 2 hours of my life that I can't ever get back.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
0
LeslieWDec 10, 2007
horrible movie. my son and i almost fell asleep. it is so dark, not a sequel I want to see. seems like the movie was a let down unless you like dark, gloomy, boring films. the best thing about this movie were the end credits.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
DanielS.Jan 8, 2008
I can only assume the people who made this movie were so mesmerized by the source material and the computer generated graphics that they didn't feel any need to craft an entertaining movie. Read the book. Skip the movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
nigelmJun 10, 2008
Too childish for adults, too complex for kids. Average CGI and wooden performances throughout. Yawn.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
KevinR.Dec 10, 2007
I haven't read the books, but could still feel that some significant things must be missing from the original story. All bad fantasies lack one essential quality--immersiveness. The world that they create has to seem real and completely I haven't read the books, but could still feel that some significant things must be missing from the original story. All bad fantasies lack one essential quality--immersiveness. The world that they create has to seem real and completely whole. LOTR accomplished this. This movie does not. The fantasy elements just seem silly and contrived (except for the daemon thing) and are pulled out of the sack whenever it's convenient. Need a deus ex machina--how about an armored bear that suddenly appears out of nowhere? Or a convenient flock of rescue witches? Like the worst of the Harry Potter movies, where a hastily-remembered spell saves the day, resolutions here are never really struggled for. ALSO--what the hell is Sam Eliot doing in this movie with his absurd cowboy twang (has there ever been a more one-trick pony than this guy)? I found myself predicting his lines before he said them, and, again, I never read the books.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
MikeDec 30, 2007
Nothing special. Another movie for kids.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JasonM.Dec 7, 2007
Awful not at all representative of the source material.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
BenO.Dec 8, 2007
If you have read the book do NOT go and watch the film you will be disappointed they have broken the story up and do not develop the characters at all. They keep the skeleton of the story but then rip out the guts and fill it with classic If you have read the book do NOT go and watch the film you will be disappointed they have broken the story up and do not develop the characters at all. They keep the skeleton of the story but then rip out the guts and fill it with classic Disney rubbish. As a final insult they cut the story short leaving a happy ending so as not to upset anyone, in all a sham.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JamesW.Dec 8, 2007
Special effects without a coherent plot.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
JustinP.Dec 9, 2007
I don´t know if The Golden Compass will go down as one of the biggest bombs in cinematic history, but it certainly deserves to. Seldom has so much effort and money been invested in creating a movie so thoroughly unengaging. It seems I don´t know if The Golden Compass will go down as one of the biggest bombs in cinematic history, but it certainly deserves to. Seldom has so much effort and money been invested in creating a movie so thoroughly unengaging. It seems the entire movie should be plastered with little notes on the screen saying "Courtesy of Lord of the Rings" or "Inspired by Harry Potter" and the list goes on. Its desperate reaching to cash in on the success of those series is pathetic. The question one asks throughout the film is "OK, and why is that interesting, and why should I care?" None of the characters are intriguing or likable. The plot is fragmented and episodic and lacks any tension. The effects are impressive, but seem sadly wasted on a movie that, above all, is just really, really boring. And the end is the most shameless plea (which should be denied) for a sequel(s) in movie history. Please, spare us.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
JB.Dec 9, 2007
Terrible, terrible, terrible. I went to see No Country for Old Men, but apparently you have to be 18 to get into R-rated movies now, which is why I saw this. This is not the next CoN or LoTR...for god's sake stay away!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
steve104Dec 9, 2007
Big, beautiful, and boring. Kidman is totally miscast.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
MattPDec 9, 2007
Good acting. Good CGI. Good Source Material. Complete lack of quality scripting or any notable direction. 30 seconds scenes where various characters just tell you what has happened/is happening/ is soon to happen. Descends into a series of Good acting. Good CGI. Good Source Material. Complete lack of quality scripting or any notable direction. 30 seconds scenes where various characters just tell you what has happened/is happening/ is soon to happen. Descends into a series of set-up scenes followed immediately by their respective conclusion scenes. No ending to speak of, just a muddle of confusing answers to questions no-one asked. Succeeds only in leaving the viewer asking WHAT anyone is doing, let alone why they might be doing it. Poor movie for a good book.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TheECarrotJan 5, 2008
This movie was a complete waste of my time. I have not read the books and if the movie is anything to go by I do not want to. One of the more stupidly memorable quotes was " I am an armored bear, I lift heavy things" (Iorek Byrnison). The This movie was a complete waste of my time. I have not read the books and if the movie is anything to go by I do not want to. One of the more stupidly memorable quotes was " I am an armored bear, I lift heavy things" (Iorek Byrnison). The kid who played Lyra was a sub standard actress who switched accents often during lines. Don't get me started about the poor casting of Kidman. Although this movie is supposed to be serious and thought provoking I spent most of it laughing at the bad acting and terrible script. The superman style flying of the witches summarizes the terrible special effects which I expected to be okay due to the technology available these days. Lastly the final battle was ridiculous with not one main good character being injured, yet every one of the bad guys was annihilated. Don't bother to see this at the movies, don't even bother hiring it on DVD. I want my money and time back!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
KristenT.Dec 12, 2007
Very disappointing film. The characters, the larger themes of the books are all sacrificed for plot and special effects. The editing is poor, the score is bad. What would this film have been like with a great director like Peter Jackson? Very disappointing film. The characters, the larger themes of the books are all sacrificed for plot and special effects. The editing is poor, the score is bad. What would this film have been like with a great director like Peter Jackson? Read the books which are better than Narnia or Harry Potter. Pullman created a world fascinating for children and adults. Wouldn't you love to read the screen adaptation that Tom Stoppard wrote for this?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
GCDec 10, 2007
Utter trash, honestly this film is probably one of the worst teenage/kids Christmas movies of all time, fair enough its based on a book, so may have had limitations in regards to adding on of more exciting elements, but its just plain and Utter trash, honestly this film is probably one of the worst teenage/kids Christmas movies of all time, fair enough its based on a book, so may have had limitations in regards to adding on of more exciting elements, but its just plain and simply sucked.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
RogerLDec 10, 2007
Cheese, cheese, and more cheese. No story, special effects not special. Don't waste your $10.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
GregB.Dec 4, 2007
The book was dull. The movie is duller. It's no Lord of the Rings. It's no Blades of Glory.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
EricC.Dec 7, 2007
I'm genuinely surprised that this movie is getting as much praise as it is. I really can't stand it. I wanted to walk out of the theater, but stayed because for some reason I couldn't bring myself to leave a sneak preview. The I'm genuinely surprised that this movie is getting as much praise as it is. I really can't stand it. I wanted to walk out of the theater, but stayed because for some reason I couldn't bring myself to leave a sneak preview. The acting is atrocious, except for Craig, who is only in it for less than 10 minutes. I normally defend Kidman, but this time I just have to shake my head. She's terrible in this. The script doesn't help, either. There are some lines in this movie where I actually laughed, they were so bad ("War is the sea in which I swim". How is that not funny?). The pacing is also some of the worst I've ever witnessed. You're rushed through events, not told why people go from loving to hating each other in a heartbeat. They leave no room for any character development whatsoever, so by the big battle scene, you could care less about whether these soulless people live or die. It's really too bad, since the books are already considered classics, and the subject matter could have been really substantial and thought provoking. The worst part, though, is how this movie, like Eragon before it, tries to be like other fantasy epics, but it can't decide which one it wants to be most. Some scenes seem stolen from Harry Potter, others from LotR. I'll blame this on direction, since the books are mostly original. In the end, Golden Compass is just a mess led by a poor director using a poor script, and it's a mess that not even a thrilling battle scene can save. So just wait for that and the part where the bear gets his jaw knocked off to pop up on the internet, so then you can save your money and see everything worth seeing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
JoeU.Dec 7, 2007
I give it 3 points for superb production values. However, as it too often happens in Hollywood movies, the writing is missing in action. Utterly bad and uninteresting story, in my opinion. Worst, it is boring. I entertained myself during the I give it 3 points for superb production values. However, as it too often happens in Hollywood movies, the writing is missing in action. Utterly bad and uninteresting story, in my opinion. Worst, it is boring. I entertained myself during the movie watching the great special effects, and beautiful cinematography. Which sort of confirms my opinion that Hollywood has plenty of talent for the film craft, but truly innovative and creative writing is as difficult to find in real life nowadays as the witches in this movie, and as nonsensical.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
FrancineBDec 9, 2007
I kind of liked the bears. Felt really cheated by the ending.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
HerbKDec 9, 2007
Utter trash. Everything about the movie felt tacked on and laborious. I was just plain bored as I was watching it. The books were such a rich statement about free-will, and the nature of authority, and could easily have been read and enjoyed Utter trash. Everything about the movie felt tacked on and laborious. I was just plain bored as I was watching it. The books were such a rich statement about free-will, and the nature of authority, and could easily have been read and enjoyed as adults. This movie has none of that power. Everything felt watered, down and over-simplified. They don't mention the Church, or God, or Original Sin a single time in the entire film. Everything is reduced to "Authority" or "Magisterium." It is a poor adaptation of an excellent story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
KevinD.Feb 16, 2008
While Kidman has yet to entirely dissapoint me, she came pretty darn cose in this travesty of a flim. Not so much for her acting, but her sheer involvement. It was an utter travesty in terms of dialogue, made no sense whatsoever. I've While Kidman has yet to entirely dissapoint me, she came pretty darn cose in this travesty of a flim. Not so much for her acting, but her sheer involvement. It was an utter travesty in terms of dialogue, made no sense whatsoever. I've never experienced physical pain while watching a film, but I felt like I had just been attacked by a rapid bull after watching "The Golden Compass." Who to look out for:Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, without these two i would've given this film a zero.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
HisM.Dec 10, 2007
I was dragged by the wife, who had read the books, and enjoyed them. She apologized as we walked out for making me go. I snoozed throughout. Dreg.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
JakobDec 12, 2007
Bad book, bad movie. I cannot understand how people compare Golden Compass to Lord of the Rings.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
VeroniqueD.Dec 12, 2007
Simply NOT GOOD,BORING,Special effect are nothing to be amazed of. Don't waste your time and money. Go rent NARNIA, it is a peace of art compare to this.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
LizT.Dec 3, 2007
I can't believe this is being marketed as a kids' movie. It's grim and depressing and shockingly violent (the fight between the bears in particular is sickeningly graphic). Ugh. Parents, take your kids to see Enchanted instead.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
MarcN.Dec 3, 2007
The Golden Compass was one of the most anticipated films of the year. With a budget well north of $150 million and a best seller as source material, expectations were high. Despite all of the debate about the His Dark Materials books, the The Golden Compass was one of the most anticipated films of the year. With a budget well north of $150 million and a best seller as source material, expectations were high. Despite all of the debate about the His Dark Materials books, the trailers made this film look like an awesome adventure fantasy. All I can say is ----- yawn. Yes, some of the visuals work, but most look like set pieces. The integration level for many effects is low. Despite similar budgets, LOTR blows this film out of the water on every level. Compare any battle scene in LOTR with any battle scene in The Golden Compass and you will see what I mean. I never felt that Lyra was ever truly in peril. The worst problem is the storyline. Screenwriter Chris Weitz significantly deviates from Pullman's book -- stopping very short of the dramatic conclusion of the first book in Pullman's series. I know that he was ordered to tone down the anti-Christian content of the novels, but instead of merely sanitizing the screenplay, he leaves out the climax. The scenes feel disjointed and you never get a chance to really care about any of the characters. There are a lot of transition/traveling scenes and director Chris Weitz (yes, he bears double blame for this disaster) commits the ultimate cinema sin -- he spends too much time telling and not enough time showing. Even the scenes with the alethiometer become repetitive and tiresome. Dakota Blue Richards does a creditable job as Lyra Bellaqua, but those expecting Daniel Craig (as Lord Asriel) to have much screen time will be horribly disappointed. He barely appears. Christian groups will not have to do any picketing to make this film tank. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to sit through it twice. Once was more than enough for me. Don't waste the money -- certainly not full price. If you want to see a truly magical film this holiday season, see Enchanted instead.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
MarcDDec 7, 2007
A tremendous disappointment which does not warrant the time to elaborate on it's plentiful flaws.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
SimonBDec 9, 2007
Generally pretty to look at, & Sam Elliot is fabulous as Lee Scoresby, but otherwise a disastrous interpretation of Pullman's dark & complex novel. Completely unnecessary changes (including the order of major events & cutting the real Generally pretty to look at, & Sam Elliot is fabulous as Lee Scoresby, but otherwise a disastrous interpretation of Pullman's dark & complex novel. Completely unnecessary changes (including the order of major events & cutting the real ending); clunky exposition and bland dialogue; no time to get to know any of the characters or understand the plot threads. Everyone's written as either good or evil, with no complications or depth -- even Iorek's backstory is changed to place him more squarely on the "good" side. All interesting political discussion is gone here, & the action-adventure take on the story is dull without that context. Clearly dumbed-down for U.S. mainstream audiences & watered-down to make it child-friendly. Ironic, since Pullman's books succeed precisely because they refuse to deliver a simplistic or easily-packaged story. What a disappointment.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
LizzieBDec 9, 2007
Terrible watered-down version of a book that deserved much more. Just awful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
syzygyDec 9, 2007
The latest trend is to bank on children fantasy tales. Some score well, others, like this, flop because the story is poorly transferred to the screen by directors with poor instincts and a love for boilerplate drama. There are no standout The latest trend is to bank on children fantasy tales. Some score well, others, like this, flop because the story is poorly transferred to the screen by directors with poor instincts and a love for boilerplate drama. There are no standout performances. To watch all this acting talent go to waste is the most amazing feature, however unintended, to this long bore of a movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
KenD.Jan 13, 2008
Another soulless, green-screen monstrosity. Wonderful source material has been eviscerated in order to film a plodding checklist of the main plot points. There is one glimpse of what could have been; at one point Mrs Coulter slaps her monkey Another soulless, green-screen monstrosity. Wonderful source material has been eviscerated in order to film a plodding checklist of the main plot points. There is one glimpse of what could have been; at one point Mrs Coulter slaps her monkey daemon and a slow track upwards uncovers a subtle bruise on her own face. This is the only point in the entire film where something is done cinematically to convey the kind of ideas that pulse through the book. Everything else is clunky dialogue or - as seen by Lyra in the alethiometer - literal images constructed from the tacky Christmas glitter that passes for Dust. To add insult to injury the Kate Bush song that plays over the end credits is completely appalling. She, like everyone else involved, should be ashamed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
SamJMay 26, 2008
In case anyone doesnt know, phillip pullman (writer of THE NORTHERN LIGHTS!!!) {did they really need to change the name?} hates god, and this is evident in his books, as god dies in them!! but all of this has been cut out of the movie! i In case anyone doesnt know, phillip pullman (writer of THE NORTHERN LIGHTS!!!) {did they really need to change the name?} hates god, and this is evident in his books, as god dies in them!! but all of this has been cut out of the movie! i think the directors need to have the guts to deal with a bit of 'controversy' if theyre gonna pull off a multi-million dollar flick! Cinema is an art form, not a media and art is by no means always politically correct!!!!! i give it a 3 because some scenes in the move were in fact done quite well. but generally i didnt like it. read the books but id advise against the movie… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
mikecDec 11, 2007
I will never get those hours back that the movie seemed to drag on for. I would prefer a visit to the dentist.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
PaxsterSep 19, 2010
How do you destroy a book franchise with universal acclaim? How do you dissapoint readers by changing the books name for the film? How do you cast bad actors for important roles? You film the golden compass. The book is brilliant but the filmHow do you destroy a book franchise with universal acclaim? How do you dissapoint readers by changing the books name for the film? How do you cast bad actors for important roles? You film the golden compass. The book is brilliant but the film is terrible. The kid playing Lyra is terrible,switching between cockney and posh! Make your mind up. The director goes as far as to mix the story up with a shocking polt change. Yes,the graphics are impressive and Ian Mckellen as Iorek is a good move but please,don't bother with the movie,just read the book (And the other 2 books in the trilogy!).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
tallanxDec 2, 2012
boring crap that makes no sense. With scenes that probably should've been there to explain things simply not existing. The whole thing feels a bit disjointed like somebody shot a movie that was supposed to be 4 hours long, but then cut likeboring crap that makes no sense. With scenes that probably should've been there to explain things simply not existing. The whole thing feels a bit disjointed like somebody shot a movie that was supposed to be 4 hours long, but then cut like half of it. Pointless scenes of Daniel Craig that has no effect on anything else etc. This is 5 years too late, but I still want my money back.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
csw12Mar 2, 2013
The Golden Compass is pure nonsense. The movie is a pathetic piece of trash that makes no sense because of all the meaningless jargon spewing out of everyone's mouth. A laughable film from the poor acting of the girl to the idea that kidsThe Golden Compass is pure nonsense. The movie is a pathetic piece of trash that makes no sense because of all the meaningless jargon spewing out of everyone's mouth. A laughable film from the poor acting of the girl to the idea that kids would enjoy this. The movie is nearly impossible to sit through.… Expand
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1
WinebloodApr 13, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A terrible film. The main actress is just terrible, she's clearly just reading lines and it makes her very unlikeable. The film is too short for the contents of the book, a few big scenes are missing and the rest is rushed. Last of all the good ending of the book is omitted.… Expand
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3
FlippySuperApr 25, 2013
Besides the horrible acting,the lazy writing and the stupid plot twist, the thing that bothered me most about this movie was the ending.Im not going to spoil it but its really lazy. They literally ended it saying "We are going to make aBesides the horrible acting,the lazy writing and the stupid plot twist, the thing that bothered me most about this movie was the ending.Im not going to spoil it but its really lazy. They literally ended it saying "We are going to make a trilogy and not conclude this movie right now because we are SOOOO sure it wil be succesfull!" Well thanks God it wasn´t because this movie deserves to die in silence.… Expand
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3
SwatiFeb 11, 2013
What a pathetic adaptation. The casting was good though. The bear looked ridiculous. The fight scenes were censored and the whole narrative was turned on its head. Even the ending was changed to suit children.
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2
FilipeNetoSep 8, 2018
This is the adaptation of "Northern Lights", the first of a collection of fantasy books named "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman, a writer famous for having atheistic, anti-Christian and anti-religious thoughts that are very evident inThis is the adaptation of "Northern Lights", the first of a collection of fantasy books named "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman, a writer famous for having atheistic, anti-Christian and anti-religious thoughts that are very evident in the book. Chris Weitz (director/screenwriter) made a huge effort to moderate that, already anticipating criticism from religious audiences, but the truth it is very difficult to make a good and moderate movie from a book that is bad, extremist and that seems to have been written as a kind of "childish doctrinal propaganda", to educate children towards secularism and atheism... so I don't think it's surprising that boycotts and criticisms have happened anyway.

The story takes place in a world where people's souls live outside their bodies, accompanying them in the form of animals called "Daemons". The similarity between this word and the term "devil", of clear anti-Christian connotation, shouldn't be coincidental. In this world there is an authority called "Magisterium", of dictatorial and totalitarian contours, which seeks to hide the existence of other worlds, other realities and truths that aren't convenient. The choice of a word in Latin for the name of this political-religious entity is an attack on the Roman Catholic Church, which is often accused of obscurantism and of not accepting some scientific and philosophical innovations. From this base, totally distorted by the personal opinions of the author of the book, a complex script is born, which the film isn't able to explain to the public. The film assumes (wrongly) that public knows the original books but, since this didn't happen to me, I felt enormous difficulty in understanding it, even having to do some research to understand everything.

With regard to the cast, there are several stars here but not all had characters to match them. Daniel Craig, for example, only has some protagonism in the beginning of the film. Then he disappears, making only a few episodic appearances. However, his character is one of the most important and is still mentioned in the dialogues even if it does not matter to the actor, who had little work here. Ian McKellan is excellent at giving voice to the polar bear Iorek Byrnison and Nicole Kidman is elegant and pleasantly malicious, but also had no room to develop a great villain. Eva Green makes a small cameo, in that it only appears punctually, in another witch role. Dakota Blue Richards, a small child actress, is the big star. She does a good job, shows some ability but, of course, this will not be her "magnum opus" if she continues her career. The film has great visual effects, good CGI work and good sound effects that make everything reasonably digestible, but cannot erase the serious script errors and subliminally biased tale of the story. The soundtrack is totally forgettable, which is detrimental to a good fantasy film.

Finally, there is only one more problem of this film, evident in its open end: there should have been a sequel to close the story, but the critics of the religious public, who even tried to boycott the film, and the very few box office results condemned at birth any follow-up initiative. Some people still talk about that, but the truth is that it's been ten years since the movie debuted, so I think it's more likely that this sequel will not happen any more. Perhaps this is a good thing, given the bias of the original material.… Expand
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