The Golden Compass

Name: The Golden Compass
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Released: December 7, 2007
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman

2007

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 373 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 373 Ratings

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The Golden Compass

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: December 7, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman

Summary: Based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witchesBased on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches coexist. At the center of the story is Lyra, 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. (New Line Cinema)… Expand

Director: Chris Weitz

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 113 min

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Awards & Rankings

20	#20 Most Discussed Movie of 2007
96	#96 Most Shared Movie of 2007

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

A darker, deeper fantasy epic than the "Rings" trilogy, "The Chronicles of Narnia" or the "Potter" films. It springs from the same British world of quasi-philosophical magic, but creates more complex villains and poses more intriguing questions. As a visual experience, it is superb. As an escapist fantasy, it is challenging. Read full review

Steven Rea

If Weitz's Golden Compass feels, at times, too crammed with exposition and big set pieces, the film nonetheless works far more successfully than the first Potter pic - the leaden "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - did translating its source material. Read full review

James Berardinelli

One key missing element: the world in which this story takes place never feels unique. We aren't drawn into it the way we were with Middle Earth or Hogwarts. In fact, with all the airships flying around, there are times when it feels like an extension of Stardust. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Looks magical, seethes with elusive profundities and makes remarkably little sense, though the murkiness makes perfect sense on a shallower level. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Has many of the virtues of a faithful screen adaptation and many of the predictable flaws. Read full review

Michelle Orange

In drawing and quartering much of the novel's intent, Weitz ends up with a film that feels not just unfinished but undone. Read full review

Peter Travers

Me, I just think it blows. What does it matter if you spend millions on a movie - love the talking, battling bears! - if the effects are cheesy, the story runs off on tangents and after watching the movie fail utterly to be the next Lord of the Rings, you just want to go home. Read full review

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User Reviews

AdamP.

Dec 3, 2007

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TerryC.

Dec 7, 2007

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

WarrenE.

Jan 4, 2008

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 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

2 of 4 users found this helpful

AldenL.

Dec 8, 2007

Solid movie, with weak parts saved by Kidman and spectacular visuals. Story is streamlined from book, but mostly with success. Magisterium is a perfect 'alternative' to the Church; it's clear to any educated person what it's referring to and drives the plot nicely. Major Solid movie, with weak parts saved by Kidman and spectacular visuals. Story is streamlined from book, but mostly with success. Magisterium is a perfect 'alternative' to the Church; it's clear to any educated person what it's referring to and drives the plot nicely. Major downfall of movie, if there is one: the ending is completely botched, and without a reason for doing so. The story is already violent and tragic, so why do away with that last pivotal scene. Who are they protecting? Either way, strong film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Trev29

Aug 24, 2013

The movie itself is quite impressive. However, the story is way too bizarre and complicated for a child even an adult to follow. it tries to be the next huge movie series, but doesn't fill the excitement with good characters.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KentL

Dec 7, 2007

Graphics and acting were well done. Story was solid. But, I was so unhappy when I got to the end when I was slammed in the face with credits before the story ended. Yep, it's part 1 of who-knows how many parts. I wouldn't have gone if I had known that. Harry potter encapsulates a Graphics and acting were well done. Story was solid. But, I was so unhappy when I got to the end when I was slammed in the face with credits before the story ended. Yep, it's part 1 of who-knows how many parts. I wouldn't have gone if I had known that. Harry potter encapsulates a full story in it - this just left me hanging.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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

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