 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Golden Compass
- Review Date: April 28, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Ambitious fantasy is too intense for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
The movie opens in an alternate world version of Oxford, where Lyra lives with her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig). In Lyra's world, everyone has a "daemon," an animal embodiment of his or her personality and soul. While adult daemons are "settled," children's are in flux. Lyra is troubled as her friends disappear before they can mature, apparently kidnapped by "Gobblers." She is further threatened by the Magisterium, a forbidding institution that believes Lyra is the girl foretold in a prophecy about the Golden Compass, a complex device that can answer any question truthfully -- but can only be read instinctively by one person. And, indeed, when Lyra gets the Compass, she can read it, putting her at risk from the Council's primary agent, Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman). Lyra flees the grasp of the Magisterium and embarks on a journey to find her friends with the help of a vast array of charaters, including armored polar bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen).
Is it any good?
The Golden Compass is heavy on plot. And with so much to cover, the editing between scenes can be choppy and the digital effects uneven. The most wonderful and cunning "effect" in the film is Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards). A 12-year-old girl surrounded by digitized creatures, spires, and sailing ships, Richards' Lyra is a singular delight, at once curious and stubborn, thoughtful and impetuous. Though she faces a series of daunting challenges that take her far from home, she remains brave, moral-minded, and smart -- a little girl much like the little girls who might be watching her on screen.
Fans of the books will notice many changes, and the characterizations of the repressive Magisterial villains may trouble those who worry about the movie's ostensible atheistic messages (Pullman has said repeatedly that he's not preaching one way or another). But all technical and philosophical complications aside, the film is buoyed by Lyra, who is more enchanting than any magic. When one adult tells her that "Sometimes you must do what others think best," she has the ready and reasonable answer, repeating what she's been taught: "I thought we were best if we were free to do as we please."
What 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?
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AGE
Its Alright
This movie's just OK.Its really violent though. But otherwise, its a pretty good movie.
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AGE
Awesome!!! :D
It has some interesting themes. Instead of good vs. evil, it's freedom vs. control.
nicole kidman was awesome, but dakota blue-richards is what makes the film. She's a good role model for girls and boys. Although she lies a lot (ironically her character's name is Lyra pronounced lie-ra), her intentions are always good.
The daemons were really cool and the special effects/ battle action sequences amazing.
I wish they stayed a bit more true to the book, but hey, it's a good family movie.
Note: My mother is an experieanced parent and did not like the film because it had too many "evil" themes, but I loved it personally!
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AGE
Disapointed greatly!
I was in love with the book series, no matter what some people say, and COULD NOT WAIT for this to come out. When it finally did. I almost walked out halfway through. The director messed up everything for no purpose at all and cut off the entire ending!!! WHY???!!!
If you are a Compassy, please don't see this.
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AGE
Entertaining for kids, but a poor movie.
This was a typical "good versus" evil movie which disappointingly, left the end hanging for a potential sequel. The is some violence (arrows into chests, swords hitting bodies), but no real gore. Bottom line: action-packed but leaves you hanging.
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AGE
Scary cliff hanger
There were parts that were too scary for me!
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AGE
Great messages, some may pass over the heads of little ones.
I still am hoping to read the books series, because this was a great movie. Work has had me real busy lately.
Other than the violence, I think kids would be able to handle this movie just fine. It is admittedly, a little on the dark side, but I believe holds some truths that you can discuss with your kids who are cognitively over 12 and capable of abstract thought. Discuss with them the role of the Magisterium, and what a daemon could symbolically represent in the life of a child. I think it's important to emphasize that one has to keep with them their imagination, no matter how old they are. Children are going to face establishments/institutions in the world that try to hinder or 86 there ability to be curious and question the world around them. To be close-minded like Magisterium is to find one's self in a concrete world of dullness and blind obedience. Thus, why it may be hard to discuss these ideals over with younger children. Still, the power of imagination can be encouraged at any age, old or young, and the is the movie to help encourage it.
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AGE
Beautiful and crafted very carefully!
Was it a disappointment? Yes, but was it so dissappointing that you shouldn't see it? No. It was violent, and exciting. Yes, it didn't fallow the book exactly (when does a movie based on a book ever fallow it perfectly?) including that it didn't have an ending, just a cliff- hanger. Nicole Kidman was amazing as Mrs. Coulter; scary, but beautiful. Same thing with Daniel Craig as Lord Asreil; strong and terrifying.
The armored bear, Iorak was amazing and looked as if he would jump right out of the T.V.
The book was crazy and very heart- breaking. The movie, sadly does not have the big twist as it did in the book (if you've read the book you'll know what I'm talking about.
See the movie, but don't flip out if it isn't what you're expecting.
Younger viewers: WARNING: The PARENTS are the bad guys, do not let young children see.
A character smokes, and the Armored bear drinks silly.
Dakota Blue Richerds shines as Lyra (her debut)
See it!
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AGE
good for 9+
This movie was terrible and ruined the book--which is FANTASTIC. I was so disappointed. And everyone should get over the religious thing. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ!!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Chris Weitz |
| Cast: | Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 113 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 6, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | April 28, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of fantasy violence. |
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