A wonderful Family movie, but it might not be good for under 10, but it's the best fantasy film of the year! Wow!

Excellent film. Surprisingly little was cut, and one of the most faithful book-movies I've ever seen.

Great film. Excellent. A superb adaptation. Performances are really good. The bad thing is that New Line has rushed the film, all goes too fast, but it's really a great film, deep and really fun. Go and watch this, you will be very pleased.

How Chris Weitz managed to bring dramatic tension and build-up to such a short movie is beyond me. But I loved every minute of it, save for at few scenes that were just a bit too short. I will be seeing this in the cinemas for the third time too.

A wonderful film. Where did these low scores come from? Is the Bible Belt trying to suppress dissenting views?

I think the reason for low US gross is number one it stars a GIRL (Most male reviewers panned it and female reviewers loved it) and it requires you to think which is something of a lost art here (we keep electing crooks who are stealing us blind). I do not think the Christian Nazis are the problem as they do not go to Hollywood movies anyway. The only reason I went to see it was that the Pope said that I should not. Until then I thought that it was just another mind numbing fantasy for children like Lord (Bored) of the Ring. I fell asleep during the first LOFR movie and have not watched any of the sequels. GC was two hours long but only seemed like an hour. I have gone back and seem it twice more. Once to catch the details I missed the first time and again to analyze the story. I hope the sequels will not have to be dumbed down even more for the US audience just to get a higher box office.… Expand

This movie was incredible. Although it was made family-friendly it was still unexpected when the jaw went flying off of the enemy ice bear. Nicole Kidman was fantastic and I would recommend it.

The secenary and the whole movie is done perfectly.

I love watching this movie with my 6 year old, she's just as amazed by it each time, it's wonderful to watch her reaction's.

I've read the trilogy and granted, it's difficult for most film adaptations to equal or even surpass the source novel, but this movie adaptation is NOT BAD as many critics and viewers are making it out to be. Granted it's been awhile since I've read the golden compass, so i can't remember the "cliffhanger" that everyone was upset about not seeing on the screen...and it may feel rushed in places, but i thought the character development was really good...and the point about Daniel Craig not being in the movie "more than 10 minutes" is silly because he's a supporting character throughout the series and his role becomes more substantial in the last two books. I just hope the box office take is able to justify having the next two films made, because that is where the meat of the story lies.… Expand

Slow at first but picks up speed and leaves you really thinking.

The Golden Compass is possibly the best fantasy film of all time. There is no sign or language what so ever of atheism!

A generally good film throughout, but unfortunately fell a little short of my expectations which I looked at and thought were very high. Nonetheless, a good start to a promising series.

Best movie of the year. I cannot wait for the sequels. Wow. What a movie. The special effects should be the frontrunner this February at the Oscars!

I loved this movie! Fantastic. Funny. Touching.

Nicole Kidman at her best! It was smart and funny and the special effects were amazing.

One of the wonders of the holiday season.

Here is the jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stopping movie epic we've been waiting for all year.

What a movie! This is how the medium seduced us originally.

Break out the popcorn and prepare to be blown away. The Golden Compass is the most pulse- pounding fantasy movie of all time. Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards were amazing. Kidman was Academy Award Worthy.

Saw a preview of it. Very good film and as close an adaptation as one can get with such a dense and complicated fantasy novel.

The Golden Compass is a clunky and flawless concept, through a Christian perspective this film is not worth it, the threequel of this "trilogy" is about killing God, and the first few develop to get to that. I wouldn't see this for that purpose, but from a movie going perspective I would love to see a big-budget popular fantasy movie that is nothing but entertainment like this. I for sure loved this movie, the script is surprisingly not clunky or flawless, it is a perfect fantasy design. A great story, thorough, and a perfect length, all performances play a great performance for each scene their in. I'm so happy it didn't suck like "Eragon".… Expand

Cuts a lot out of the books, but is generally very good.

Ultimately there is no complex concepts to this, users say its a boring clunky execution, I say wrong, this is nearly perfect, the effects are astounding, the sound is stunning, it is an entertaining and totally great family fun.

I loved, the audience loved it, my family loved it, everyone said it was good as everyone trudged out of the theatre thinking wow look at me, i just saw a really awesome movie. Never heard any bad remarks, I thought it was really good, I don't know where any of these negative reviews are personally coming from. As far as I'm concerned this may be the next lord of the rings.

Wild and fun, these dummy users are just rating this movie from its trailer, and I think the critics are too. Its like rating Lord of the ratings 5 or 4 out of 10.

Amazing! Simply amazing! This is one of the best movie adaptations of anything ever in the fantasy genre. I was hesitant to see this movie at first because of the mixed reviews, but I'm so glad I did. The world depicted in the film is captivating and shines on the screen with life, depth, and adventure. It is a family movie that would be surprisingly enjoyable for most adults, at worst (depending on the individual) still quite tolerable, and also a lot of fun for kids. The kids in the movie are cute and precocious but not nauseatingly so like in most family movies - this is coming from a 22 year old adult male mind you. Even though there is violence in the film, none of it is graphic with the exception of 1 short part of a scene which just lasts a few seconds - just as a warning though parents should tell their younger children to cover their eyes towards the end of the bear-fight-bear scene. Some issues are still up in the air at the end of the movie, but at least one major issue is resolved before the credits roll. Personally, the bit of a cliff-hanger at the end just left me excited for the next 2 movies coming out rather than disappointed at some sort of lack of resolution - I guess this varies depending on the viewer though. If you haven't seen this movie yet and are a bit put off by the mixed reviews, don't be - at worst you might walk out of the movie thinking it was somewhat mediocre, at best you might absolutely love it.… Expand

Loved every second, didn't want it to end!

I loved this movie. I think some critics as well as the public are missing the adventurous plot and courage of a young girl seeking the "truth" and saving the children. It has all the parts of great plot with hero's, talking animals, beautiful destinations, superb acting and an ending leaving you wanting more. The film drew me in and I hope there will be a sequel. I certainly want to see more!… Expand

The storyline is rushed, which is typical with films made from books, but it still a great story. This is the type of film that Hollywood needs to make more of, it is intelligent and challenging. I wouldn't call it a "kid's movie" or a "family movie" though, which is how it is billed. Marketing mistake IMO. If you want to see an intelligent and thought provoking allegorical tale, with good actors and special effects, then this is a movie for you.… Expand

I loved it. The cast was first rate. I was nervous about the director on this film, but he did a fantastic job. I hope he was signed for the sequels. This movie will probably make a total of $100 million domestically. The media will try to say it was a disappointment (considering the film's budget). BUT it will more than make up for it in foreign receipts and big time on DVD where it will gain in popularity by word of mouth. There WILL be a sequel. This film was awesome. I bought the novel and will read it this week.... Then I'll watch the movie again in a couple weeks. Highly recommended.… Expand

I have been waiting for this movie to come out since the moment I saw the first teaser. I was not disappointed. With my children at my side we, watched, and enjoyed. This was one of the first movies I have seen that the children erupted in applause as the credits came to roll. Not the adults, not the Harry Potter or Star Wars geeks that stand in line for days, the CHILDREN! The story touched them. I was not aware of the books before I saw the title in the credits, and was only slightly aware that the Christian … Expand

An awesome depiction of an alternate steampunk universe.

A spectacular rendering of Philip Pullman's magnificent world(s); this is the closest that a movie has been able to match the imagery that the author's words created in my mind. The graphics and special effects were absolutely spectacular, to say the least, and the casting was perfect. Sadly though, the main meaning of the book was stripped down to it's bare minimum and the complex story was chopped up and dumbed down. I give it 5 out of 5 stars simply for the experience of seeing what I imagined on the silver screen. I recommend this to any one who enjoys a good piece of eye candy every now and again but I must compel anyone who seriously wants the intellectual experience of this tale to READ THE BOOK FIRST. I simply can not wait for the Subtle Knife...… Expand

The beginning may be a bit confusing if you have not read any of the books - it seemed a bit disjointed, like too much had been left out. About a third of the way in, it picked up and didn't seem like there were any more gaps. On an unrelated note, my friends and I unanimously decided that Iorek Byrnison is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

A great adaption, if you look deep the original themes are still present and it does not fail to promote an open mind and retake a look at our own world in a different perspective. The ending seems aprubt but leaves with a very good hint on not only what is to come, but also what to look into and analyze deeper until the sequel is released. All in all I can only recommend it.

I really enjoyed this film, which was a fairly faithful adaptation of the book (except for the ending). Having read the books and enjoyed them, I found the movie built on my visualizations of Pullman's original creation. The armoured bears and witches were stunning, and I found Mrs Coulter and Lyra to be engaging characters in the film adaptation. I recall thinking after seeing the changed ending of Jackson's Fellowship of the Rings from the books and being shocked, but later after seeing the context of the 3 movies, I appreciated the deviation from the source material. Similarly, having the ideology of the book presented more subtly in the film probably kept it from feeling too "preachy". All in all, I hope to see a sequel. (Finally, how can people give this film a zero? Even if you found it lacking, it wasn't Daredevil or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen).… Expand

Nicole was amazing and Blue Richards was a find. Best of the year!

The special effects were amazing. One of the best movies of the year, if not that best. The direction and writing was magnificent! Kidman for the Oscar!

Loved this movie because it was not only smart and great, but it wasn't like 3 hours. Short and quick was the best way to go!

Nicole Kidman's best performance in years. Oscar worthy. Really it was.

Fantastic. The most engaging and entertaining film of the year.

GC is my favorite fantasy film of all time! Kidman should win awards with this performance. And I can't wait for the Other 2! Oscars for FX.

A poignant film that is fantastic. Explosive non-stop action.

My favorite fantasy movie ever. I loved the Potters to death, but this sits on them forever!

This movie should have no problem in breaking box office records. If there is any justice, this should be the highest grossing movie of the year.

Not as good as The Lord of the Rings, but who would think it could win 11 Oscars like Rings, but this was almost as good. So close. Okay, I loved them as much as the Rings.

Stunning visuals, great bears, and fascinating ideas. Marred only by the unnecessary exposition at the beginning, the watered-down dialogue, and the early ending (compared with the book).

A fun time at the movies, with all the works.

Very enjoyable, even though there were changes from the book. Great SFX, good acting, compelling story. Favorite movie of this year.

Phenomenal movie. A great teenage coming of age movie. Obviously parents that cannot read should not attempt to take little children to the movie (as suggested by Liz T)..... it's rated PG-13.... not G, not even PG . Whats with US parents not getting it.... PG-13 means Parental Guidance under age 13 or in countries like the UK which use real movie ratings... such movies are rated 12 or 15 and above. So quit the bitching about movie marketing and demand that movies are rated appropriately in the US i.e. abolish the useless Pg, PG-13 and R rated system and go to the U, 12A, 15 and 18 ratings. On another note this is a perfect movie for any teenager or adult (other than those lost in a religious delirium with thoughts of the second coming as a daily obsession). Hope the following books make it into production with less of the message of enlightenment removed for fear of a Christian intifada or crusade against the movie company.… Expand

Terrific entertainment. Hugely enjoyable. Brilliant young lead. Astounding special effects. What more can i say. Just go and see it!!!!

A fantastic ride of adventure and excitement. Never having read the books I found the characters solid, each adding to the story, and the story exciting and engrossing. While I was a little disappointed in the ending being some what abrupt (a nice build up for part 2 I am sure) the over all movie is one that is definitely worth watching again. For everyone trying to make a religious controversy out of this simply remember it is a movie. You don't have to watch it or even believe it. But it beats most of the drivel that Hollywood tries to push on us so enjoy it.… Expand

The movie was visually stunning and followed the plot of the book fairly well. However the ending was nothing like in the book and leaves me hoping that they will release a version of the DVD with the ending they filmed and had originally intended.

Absolutely outstanding in every way possible. I don't know what these other people saw...

Rated high for magical special effects.

If you didn't read the trilogy you would feel a litle lost, except that the movie is fabulous the effects the voices the cast everything..I can't wait for the second movie.

Beautifully shot and ornamented with some of the best CGI I've ever seen. I found the story line a little obscure and the church / soul metaphors a bit heavy-handed, but not objectionable. It was a delightful film that should entertain any from 12-80 yrs old. I think it has been very under-rated!