Metacritic Movie Ratings
The Golden Compass Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 100

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger 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.

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• 70

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt

  A "soft" epic, a film touching on childhood fantasies with sturdy, unwavering characters driven to evil or good. More "Harry Potter," in other words, than "Beowulf."

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• 60

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  Ultimately satisfying and successful version of the opening volume of the celebrated "His Dark Materials" trilogy.

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• 50

  out of 100

  The New York TimesManohla Dargis

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

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• 50

  out of 100

  VarietyTodd McCarthy

  Impressively rendered but oddly uninviting adventure.

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• 50

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  Disappoints with its lack of character development and convoluted storytelling.

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• 50

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  The Golden Compass is a snowbound mystical-whizbang kiddie ride that hovers somewhere between the loopy and the lugubrious.

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• 50

  out of 100

  Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

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

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