great movie
The Golden Compass
(2007, Rated PG-13, Fantasy, Starring Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards)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? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
lots of vilonce
- 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 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 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 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 on for age 11 and give it
Can't Wait For The Next One!
I finally watched this movie yesterday, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure what all of the uproar is about. Since when, in the United States of America, is a requirement to be a Christian to make a movie, or write a book, and have it be accepted. It disgusts me that people would clog up the review section here without having even SEEN the movie! In fact, if you haven't seen it, you don't get to have an opinion because it is not an EDUCATED or INFORMED opinion! This movie has a wonderful story and message. I LOVED the lead character--Lyra is smart, thoughful, loyal, loving, brave--all of the things that most people would want for their kids. I did not notice any "anti-God" feeling in the movie--of course, if you think that using your own mind and having free-will is anti-God, then that is your choice. There were a few scary moments, and I wouldn't let a younger child watch it, but it IS RATED PG-13, so why people insist on taking young kids to movies that are inappropriate for them, I'll never understand--my son is nearly 13, and we STILL preview certain PG-13 movies that we think may not be appropriate! In the end, I really enjoyed the movie and wished I could have moved on with the story, but I guess I'll have to wait for the next one!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Great Movie
This is one I wouldn't take my 6 year old to see, but I may allow her to watch it at home. I felt that the theater may be a bit too frightening for her.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
If you teach your children about God. Don't send them to this movie. It's written by an Atheist. Teaches kids that God isn't great. BOOOOOOO
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
A must see movie
I thought it was a little off towards the ending, but everything was sort off on script. Good movie, can't wait until "the Subtle Knife".
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Read the Book!!
I LOVED the books - all three of them and was a bit wary of going to the movie (it's such a huge challenge to make a great book squeeze into 2 hours). The things I liked about the movie: the animation - really good, especially the kids daemons at the beginning all running together gave me a different perspective; Lyra - she was wonderful in the lead role, really brought the character to life and portrayed it faithfully; Iyorek - perfectly grand! What I didn't like: the ending - frustrating to have it wrap up nice and neat with a bow when that is NOT how the book ends. I was sorry that the plot had to be so watered down in order to fit the time frame, but that's the challenge. Neither the books, nor the movie are for young children. Teens-yes. The story deals with challenging issues that require kids to be able to assess the consequences of their own (and others') actions, the ability to evaluate an adult's words (and actions) and an awareness of the subtleties of "truth". The character Lyra is put into these situations over and over again and develops character because of her willingness to engage in the times of fun, love, separation, uncertainty, violence, etc... I loved the story - definitely worth talking about with teens and adults alike!! And don't be put off by the scare mongering of some 'conservative' critics. If the 'pillars' of authoritarianism in our culture can't stand up to a little glare from the spotlight, then they deserve to have that light shone directly into every dark corner available.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Not all it was cracked up to be
It was okay. There were a coupe of shockingly violent and scary moments amid the mostly so-so ones. In the movie, adults and religion were portrayed as unnecessary, decietful, and dangerous. Whether this is correct or not depends on your point of view. Lyra is incredably precocious and rash. Her devotion to her friends and to the truth is admirable. Her disrespect for authority and her quickness to act without getting all of the facts are not.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
The Fake Compass
In the end Adam and Eve kill GOD! The person who wrote should not be on this earth That is very very stupied! I am not going to go see it! Poor actors having to say those false lines!
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
I went to see what the hoopla was about...
I caught the gist of an anti-religon for the obvious Catholic Church. IT really didn't seem like that big a deal in today's world.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
WHO CARES!
So, I've been trying to figure out if I should take my 10 and 6 yr old to this film. 45 reviews, and only 5 of them have nothing to do with the religious aspect. Is this movie for younger kids? Who knows? You are all so wrapped up in the religious aspect of it. WHO CARES IF A MOVIE HAS RELIGIOUS TONES. We watched Narnia, my kids hadnt a clue about it being a God movie until others told them. They wont care about this one either because all they see is talking polar bears, not god or people who hate god. Movies are not going to corrupt your kids minds, movies are going to give them ideas. As parents, its your job to either help them either agree or disagree with those ideas, or let them make up their own minds with opposing views to both sides. This place is called Common Sense, and its supposed to give you an idea if you should take your kids to this movie, not open a huge moralistic political debate. Violence, nudity, and heavy subject matter...does this movie have it or not?
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Something to see over and over
We went to see “The Golden Compass†today. We knew what the advertising trailers had shown us, and I knew about the religious controversy that had been going on before and after this movie actually hit the theater screens. After having actually seen the movie I must say that I am appalled! True; I have not read the first book in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, which thankfully they had not changed the title of for the movie. But I think that this only allowed me to go into this movie without any prejudices for or against the movie or the story. This is a fantastic piece of art! Most likely the book as well as the movie can and should be placed in this category. I will know more after I read the book or even the trilogy. People do not seem to have any problems with fiction, if it adjusts history or the future. But most of the population, apparently, has problems with the concepts of alternate universes, parallel universes, or even happening that might even be going on around them that they do not know about. As examples; the Harry Potter series has been and still is accosted because it is possibly believable that magic may really exist around them without their knowledge. Rowling really hit it on the preverbal nose by pointing out that magic had to exist in secret around none magic users. Why? Because the topic was written in such a way as to be believable! “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe†from the Narnia series was attacked about its religious connotations. This successful piece of literature happened to be written with strong ties of good versus evil, and written that way in correlation to the church and their belief. Now we have “The Golden Compass,†a story that takes place in an explained parallel universe. As a matter of fact, the premise of the whole trilogy is about this being an alternate parallel universe and how evil wants to gain control over other universes once the secret of crossing them has been found. The people in this universe are different from us. They are controlled, much in the same way that ancient Europe used to be controlled by the church. They have spirit partners which show their spirit beliefs outside of their bodies in the form of spirit animals; rather than having an internal spirit as we do here that you feel yourself and a few might glimpse within you now and again. What is the big deal! Every classic is full of symbolism. Literature instructors in almost every school make a point in showing you the symbolism that the author wrote into their tales of wonder. Scholars look for and find these as treasures to be studied and cherished. While others just escape into these tales of fiction that so fascinate us that we want to remember, study and reread these stories over and over through time. “The Golden Compass,†is such a piece of literature. It is a story of such power and attraction that the people who have read the book(s) feel that the movie is a must see. The “Lord of the Rings†trilogy was the same way. It had a ready made audience. The difference being that the setting for the “Lord of the Rings†trilogy could not be seen as anything other than fantasy. Why can’t people just enjoy these classics that are coming to the big screen? Are we really as simple and fearful as we were before we started educating our young? Enough ranting, I must seem mad if you have not seen the movie or read the book(s) yet! Let me instead describe the outline for the story. The story takes place on another world within a parallel universe. They have grown with witches that can fly and have prophecies of the future; arctic warrior, polar, bears that can speak to humans and enter contracts with them, and Gyptians, a boat-dwelling people who resemble and seem to represent the gypsies of old Europe. But they also have villages with standard people in them; Scholars that control the higher education of this world, and the Magistrate which feels that have the right and need to control how the population of their world should be. To make this alternate universe complete, every one of the people has a spirit animal that is attached to them, which happen to be called daemons. If one part of this bond is hurt the other feels the pain. These spirit animals are ever shifting when the children are young and malleable in their beliefs’ and thinking, but they slowly solidify into one spirit shape as they mature into their adult selves. To make a long story short; a scholar/explorer has found a link to other universes and wants to find a way to cross over to one of these universes. The Magistrate through the trilogy wants to typically expand their control, and the hero and main characters want to make things right. The story is about their efforts to do just that, so why is their any controversy? This is a theme among many if not most of the fictional literature throughout history. I think that people need to stop looking for faults in these stories and just start enjoying the marvels that imagination and good communication has dreamed up. Is that so bad? Stories like these have so much to offer about telling children how to be good and true. We just need to let them get the messages and enjoy the tales that they are wrapped in.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Blown out of proportion and underrated
It's funny how the Chronicles of Narnia which contains more violence than the Golden Compass can get a lower rating because of the "message" it contains. I've read the books and I feel that the message in the movie doesn't have the same intelligence. The books don't challenge Christian faith, they inspire intelligent debate. The message people should get is that kindness shouldn't be an obligation ordained by a superior being. One last note, the misconception of God being killed drives me crazy. It is a false God, an imposter they kill in order to usher in an age of democracy rather than monarchy.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Great CGI, ok plot
This movie is extraordinary in effects. The plot is a little slow and really doesn't have an ending that leaves you feeling as though it is a complete story unto itself. As entertainment goes, it was a fairly good movie. Just don't waste too much time trying to read into it and figuring out what everyone is supposed to represent.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Good!
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.
- 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 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 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 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 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.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Awesome
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
I liked this!
Wonderful Cast, though Lyra wasn't very good at all.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Very Well Written
I thought this movie was really well written. It had some of the best animation and scrpits that I have ever seen in a movie. A deffinate must see for anyone over ten. Parents, there is a fair amount of violence in this though it is fantasy and not much blood. I think the worst part is the bear fight and so if your kid doesn't like animals getting hurt you might want to consider waiting a while for your kid to see it. I've seen it twice. I loved it and the book was even better!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
I actually fibbed. I didn't watch the movie or read the book. I wasn't allowed to. isn't that unfair!?!?!?!?!? :( :( :(
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
NO!NO!NO!
When I first heard about this movie I REALLY wanted to see it. So me and a bunch of friends went out and bought tickets, popcorn and candy. At the end I could not believe how horrible it went! It had seemed really good at first but the majority of the purpose seemed to be about killing God! This seems really religious but it is the truth. I did not like this at all. It had some good scenes but mostly bad. it wasn't sex, violence or crude humor...but a negative perspective toward kids on religion. I give it a total thumbs down! People have their right to religion but I must say that this is absurd!
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
Religiously Critical
I believe that The Golden Compass is not fit for any Christian on this earth. The whole quest during this movie and during the books is to kill God, which is not setting a good example for kids or even adults. I hope that all Christians would try to cancel these books and movies!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
bad
dont see it. the ass philip pulman's goal is to turn everyone atheist
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Over all a good movie. The reviews in the paper say that it has a religion problem, but god dose not die (at least not in this movie). The worst part about this movie being for kids, is when the two polar bears fight (One bear is wounded badly while the other taunts him. The wounded bear gets up and nails him in the bottom of his jaw, and it flies ten feet. He is bitten on the neck an then drops dead.).
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
This fantasy is "Golden"...
This film has garnered lots of contreversy for being "Anti-Christ." Now, I haven't read the book, but as far as the movie goes, there is no mention of Christianity whatsoever! All these rumors are just the Christian fundementalists trying to be important (but failing). Anyway, I quite enjoyed this movie, and I would recommend it to all fantasy lovers who enjoyed Narnia and Stardust. The acting was phenomenal, the CGI was stunning, and basically everything besides the ending (there is none) was good. Parents, there is no nudity or anything, but be warned: there are scenes of TOTALLY bloodless violence. When in battle, people don't die, they just kind of *poof* and turn into sand. The only thing you probably have to watch out for is if you're taking a kid ten and under. Why? Because there is one polar bear fight scene where one character's jaw is literally smacked off. The characters neck is then broken, and his crumpled body falls to the floor. While this scene contains no gore at all, it is very tense and can be quite scary to some people. But overall, I thought this film was incredible and I hope the crazy Christians don't ruin some people's opinions about it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Ummm...the book was better
I'm a big fan of His Dark Materials, and was surprised when I saw that the movie was marketed to children. The movie is a touch too softened up for my liking, compared with the book. It's okay, but they obviously didn't include the part about Iorek tearing out Ragnar's (not called Ragnar in the book, but something else, which I forgot)heart and eating it. I would've liked to see that...The movie is actually rated PG-13...which makes sense, not PG. Of course, New Line made some serious mistakes cutting out scenes from the movie without the director's permission. I was especially frustrated with the ending, which is cut out too. They probably don't want people to feel depressed at the orignal ending, but that's what's so awesome about the ending. The ending is what made me want to continue with the next book in the series, because FINALLY I read something with an ending less corny than usual. As for all the religious crap, I say people should open their minds a little more when viewing or reading something and not get so insulted. I mean, it's fiction. You can choose whether or not to believe it. Though, with kids, it's better for them to know the difference between right and wrong before viewing or reading the third installment in the series. But, I doubt there will be any more sequels since this is one of the most expensive movies ever made...and New Line isn't the right company to have a film like this if they want to water it down.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Good... not fantastic, but intense and thrilling
I read the book a few years ago and can honstly say that the it is in a completely different league to the movie. They've softened it up for a family audience when they should've made it for the books intended audience; teens and adults. I went to see it with my 11 year old cousin and she didn't pick up on any of the religious references (they never actually mention the magesterium being like any religion, just that it controls everything) but I did hear some gasps from the audience at the movie's only shocking piece of violence, the jaw part, which was exactly how i imagined it to be from the book. The battles are spectacular, though, and the acting is sound. I highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoyed the movie.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
....
The book sucked. The movie, the movie was slightly better. With the exception of the fact that I fell asleep in it.
