The Golden Compass

I watched this for the first time last night, and only because someone had bought it for my children. I'd spent a long time avoiding buying it because I do not like Nicole Kidman one bit.

~What is the Film About~

The film is based on a book called the Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. It revolves around a girl called Lyra in a world not dissimilar to our own, except everyone's souls live in a daemon which manifests itself as an animal. The daemons of children can change shape, adult daemons appear to be fixed in one form.

Lyra lives in what appears to be a boarding school where her uncle (Lord Asriel) works. After she thwarts an assassination attempt on her uncle, he travels to the north to find evidence of 'dust'.

Then along comes Mrs Coulter who wants to take Lyra under her wing and take her north as well, the school headmaster is reluctant, but eventually agrees that Lyra can go. Before she leaves he gives her an alethiometer (Golden Compass), which only certain people can read.

The rest of the story follows Lyra's fight between good and bad, the introduction of Iorek Byrnison, fighting bear, Serafina the witch and Lee Scoresby an aeronaut. Both of who aid Lyra on her quest.

I could go into a lot more detail, but it would spoil it for anyone yet to watch.

~The Main Cast~

Nicole Kidman - Mrs. Coulter
Daniel Craig - Lord Asriel
Dakota Blue Richards - Lyra
Ian McKellen - Iorek Byrnison (voice)
Eva Green - Serafina Pekkala
Sam Elliott - Lee Scoresby
Christopher Lee - First High Councillor

~My Thoughts~

I quite enjoyed the film, despite still thinking the acting skills of Nicole Kidman let it down, I find her very one dimensional. However, the acting from Dakota was enough to carry the film alone. She did a wonderful job in the main role and the other cast members also did a good job. Ian McKellen was the perfect voice over for the bear.

The story flowed fairly well, although I never really understood the point of dust and what the significance was. Which made it awkward when my children also asked about dust and what did it mean.

The animation was good, and fairly realistic looking, well as realistic as talking bears can be lol.

So altogether I thought it was acceptable as a family film, certainly not worth all the hoo-ha there was when it first came out. Just a pleasant watch with no sex (or innuendos) or swearing, and a fight between good and evil.