Wish they'd made the sequel! Action-packed and exciting, I actually enjoyed it! I loved Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig's characters, and thought it was very heartwarming. Good movie.
Tools for this page
The Golden Compass
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Ambitious fantasy is too intense for young kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–13
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Golden Compass
Parents need to know that this action-packed fantasy based on the first book in Philip Pullman's best-selling trilogy will feel threatening to young children. Animals and kids are in constant peril, and young kids will be upset by the threatened separation between the animals (daemons) and their humans. There are also many tense, violent scenes (chases; fierce, growling animals; shooting), as well as a fairly graphic battle between two enormous polar bears (one knocks the other's jaw off). And there's a major clash between children and adult troops that includes guns, arrows, swords, clubs, chains, hooks, and explosions. The main character is a 12-year-old girl who goes up against evil forces to save her friends. Although some religious groups have urged a boycott of the film based on its allegedly anti-Christian content, there is no specific language or imagery related to Christianity.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about whether this is really a movie for kids. It's been promoted as a family film; do you think that's accurate? What elements of the film might make it too intense for younger audiences? What values does it emphasize? Families can also discuss the concept of the daemons. What does a daemon represent? Why is the idea of being severed from their daemon so upsetting to the movie's characters? Also, if you've read the book the movie is based on, how do you think the two compare? Which do you like better and why?
Our Members Say
See all 101 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Good!
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
lots of vilonce
great movie
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Disappointment
The film has only one violent scene where the polar bears are attacking eachother. But overall, it's not that bad. In my opinion, the movie was really good until the ending. I know that they were trying to make you think and all, but, it makes me upset that they haven't yet made a sequel. It's disapointing that they would get you all excited and make you anxious about the next movie. But all along, there wasn't ever going to be a second movie.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
I enjoyed the movie
I truly enjoyed this movie. It was fun. I wanted to check it out after all the buzz about it being anti-christian As a Christian I wanted to make up my own mind, and honestly I didn't get that from the movie at all. I do know that the author wrote it as the "non religious" version of CS Lewis' Chronicle of Narnia. But even those books when reading are not readily pro religious to a child reading. Of course the views of both authors are reflected upon dissecting of the story(CS Lewis a staunch christian and Pullman an unabashed atheist and/or agnostic) We see this as adults who look deeper, but children do not dissect the text of a book they read for deeper meaning often. It's fun and it's fantasy. No more and no less.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
LOVED the book, the ruined the film.
I definitely think this is not appropriate for kids younger than 10-12. I also do not want to debate the religious controversy surrounding the books. My agnostic opinion is that these stories, as novels, were fantastic. I read them as an adult, and wished I had them as a kid. They are beautiful, full of heart, made me cry, and offer up a fierce heroine surrounded by incredible supporting characters. It makes you think, and think hard, and that's a good thing no matter what. All that being said, I made it about 1/3-12 way through the movie and I turned it off. They simply ruined the story, and completely dumbed it down. It's a lot to try and reduce down to a movie script, and I know much has to be cut and stripped out or adapted, but they just blew it. If you are inclined to watch this film, skip it and read the books.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Good movie, but a little violent
I really loved the book this was based on, and the movie was not disappointing (ps most of the religious controversy was cut out) This was a beautiful movie, but it was a little violent. PG13 is good, but know your child. (In one scene, two bears are fighting and one's jaw is ripped off.)There is some wine/brandy, but no heavy drinking or promotion of such. Other than that, no real complaints.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Ok movie, but the Christian hype is very far-fetched
I have seen this movie, and I cannot believe the ridiculousness of some of CSM's Christian reviewers' comments. I'd like to offer a few FACTS about this movie so that readers can make an accurate judgement: - There is no Adam, Eve, or God in this movie, so Adam and Eve DO NOT kill God, as another reviewer (who has not seen the movie) suggested. - Characters in this movie DO NOT have "demons." They have "daemons." Please research the difference before making a judgment about their roles. - There is nothing -- no scene, image, language, or other aspect -- related to Christianity in this movie. This is a fantasy movie, and that's all. If we read Shakespeare though a biblical lens, we could call him anti-Christian (bed tricks, immoral clergy, etc.). If we watch Spongebob through a socio-sexual lens, he and Patrick Starfish are gay lovers, perhaps seeking to meet up with Tinky Winky from the teletubbies for some kicks. It's all paranoia. Watch the movie with an open mind, and it's just an okay flick, not an abomination to Christ...at all.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Scary cliff hanger
There were parts that were too scary for me!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I Liked this movie very much.
This is a very excellent movie. I read the books also and know that it is very... Awsome! anybody who says it is off (because it is somthing different than their religion) should've known about the movie. I mean... it's just fiction. But an amazing fiction at that. This is a wonderful movie to see where Lyra takes a big step away from her homey Jordan Colledge, into an adventure.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Awewsome Movie the book is great too
What you need to know is that alot of people are over-exagerating. This was a great movie and my parents waited untill like a year after it was released to take me. Lyra is a caring girl, and just wants to rescue everyone including her friends from the experiments. Not anything too bad in the movie. And about the person talking about the drunk bear, the villagers gave him spirits and took his armour while he was drunk. If your still doubtful, just rent it and see for yourself/
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
worst movie ever created!!!!
i'm catholic: the only thing i get out of this movie is that there apparently isn't a God. If i had kids I wouldn't have allowed them to watch it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Not a kids movie!
My husband bought this movie thinking it was a family movie. My 8 year old daughter sit down to watch it and I had to turn it off half way through. Too scary and too much for an 8 year old. What happened to good clean, nice movies from the past? Everyone is so excepting and violent now days. The junk that is on now days would make my grandmother roll over in her grave. When are we all going to take a stand and get our values back? I am a pretty laid back mother but the world is in trouble!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great movie!
Good animation, great battle scene at the end. Some younger children may be a bit frightened, but 12-year olds and above should be fine. Next to no blood, just frenetic violence that isn't gory, excepting one scene where the armored bear's jaw gets knocked off.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Great movie for discussion
I think a Christian (like myself) should be strong enough in their faith and secure in their beliefs that they are not threatened by what they choose to watch or read. Great movie for discussions on many levels with children of an appropriate age, as well as other adults.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Beautiful Work!
This movie is fantastic! The animation parts were so realitic and the actors were remarkable! My mom has not read the series of book yet, but I have. They made the movie so exact, I told my mom she can start on book two with just seeing the move. I used to be a #1 Harry Potter fan, now I'm a total Golden Compass geek. There is some violence, though. *SPOILERS!* *********** When a bear who can talk and another talking bear are fighting, it becomes VERY intense. It may not be so good for the younger children to see. *End of Spoilers* But for ages 8 and up, it's fine. Just make sure you know your kid well. You may want to sit with your kid during the first time they see the movie to explain why the fighting scene happened. That's what I would do with my future kids someday.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
A very good fantasy with lots of imagination. Good story line.
I have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. I think every one has to use common sense for their indivdual children. Some are more sensitive to specific issues. I have been a librarian in a Jr High for 7 years and elementary school for 9 years. All children are different, but can develope a love for books if they find the right ones for them.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
This movie is horribile! It totaly goes agaist cahtolic foath this movie is bad for anyone with cathorlic belfies. if not,it is ok for ages 14 But should'nt
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Perfect for a smart kid!!!!!
I saw this and was a bit scared. But don't let that stop you. Kids 9+ will like this movie. Younger kids might be more scared of what happens. So parents should talk to your kids and explain all it is is entertainment.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
