The Golden Compass
Starring: Dakota Blue, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green
Director: Chris Weitz
Rating: 2/5
It seems that literary adaptations in the fantasy genre are becoming somewhat of a Christmas tradition with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe all getting the big screen treatment.
2007 continues this tradition with the adaptation of Phillip Pullman's Northern Lights, known in America as The Golden Compass, the first in his Dark Materials trilogy.
At the centre of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.
She’s then quickly swept up in a dangerous game involving disappearing children, a beautiful woman with a golden monkey demon, a trip to the far north, and a set of allies ranging from witches to an armour-clad polar bear.
With a high caliber cast that includes Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman and Eva Green as well as coming from New Line studios perhaps it wasn't wrong to expect a movie of epic size and scope to possibly rival the little known trilogy The Lord of the Rings.
However loyal fans of the book and fantasy film lovers who were hoping for a fast, high octane, romp through an alternate universe then they will be bitterly disappointed.
While it's not dull enough to send you to sleep, or make you leave the theatre it just lacks that exciting something and other world magic.
It could be argued that it is the first in a trilogy and the story is setting us up for what is about to come, despite New Line not committing to a sequel, but, and yes I am comparing it to Rings, Fellowship managed to set the scene as well as keeping up the pace and excitement.
While it is exciting in parts, in particular the bear fight, it just lacks that exciting something and other world magic.
But this film is not true to the book and was riding a wave of controversy long before it was released. Phillip Pullman is regularly accused of promoting atheism children, however most of the religions aspects of the novel have been severely watered down and are almost none existent.
It appears that New Line wised to appeal to an American audience and in no way wished to insult their delicate sensibilities when it comes to the criticism of Christianity.
With a great cast which includes Oscar winners Kidman and Kathy Bates this should have been box office gold but has performed poorly in it's opening week in America.
However hearty congratulations must go to Dakota Blue Richards who beat of 10,000 girls to land the lead role of Lyra.
The young actress hold herself well for her first feature and performs well when faced with working with CGI for the very first time.
The Golden Compass was one of the most highly anticipated movies this winter but falls way short of the hype that surrounded it.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw