Iffy for 12+
Ambitious fantasy is too intense for young kids.
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.
- 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?
The good stuff
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Messages: Deception abounds on all sides: Lyra is instructed to lie to Mrs. Coulter and spy on members of the Magesterium. But even as she uses ruses, the film celebrates her spirited nature and resistance to authority. Heroic figures are loyal and valiant; villains are dastardly, scheming, and dressed to alert you as to their evil intentions. Lyra's intentions are always good, even if the consequences of her actions aren't.
What to watch for
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Violence: Weapons used in battle scenes include guns, arrows, swords, clubs, chains, hooks, and explosions. Lyra witnesses an attempt to poison her uncle; in a brief scene, children are frightened and grabbed by shadowy thugs. When Lyra escapes Mrs. Coulter, she's chased by several security men; confrontation between rebels and security guards (who have snarling Dobermans) is tense, but the guards back off. Warriors accompanied by snarling wolves shoot at and capture Lord Asriel, leaving him with bloodied face. Two mechanical bugs hunt and attack Lyra and Pan. In a fit of anger, Mrs. Coulter hits her monkey daemon, causing it pain. A violent severing of child and daemon in a laboratory causes visible pain and screams from both subjects. A very intense fight between two polar bears includes some graphic and disturbing violence (one bear whacks off the other's lower jaw, then drops him dead).
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Sex: Nothing explicit, but the fear of children growing up and becoming rebellious during the transition from preteen to teen insinuates a concern with puberty and sexual awareness.
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Language: Minor language includes a few uses of "hell."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Polar bear Iorek Byrnison appears drunk and drinking.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
The Golden Compass by lalanna
I thought the effects, the story line and the acting were superb!. However, I myself am a Christian and I believe that the whole deamon thing and your soal dying when you die is a bit sacreligous. That aside, overall it was a good movie. Not something I want my 9 yr old to see though. Have you ever wondered why PG movies should be PG-13 and why PG-13 movies should be R movies? Today's society has sure changed things. I don't like to bring my son to see a movie anymore unless I've seen it first to make sure it is suitable for him to watch.
5
An excellent addition to any fantasy collection by FawkesFlame870
For those who enjoyed Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Harry Potter, this movie is the next big fantasy hit! It is a credit to the book it is based on and will set your mind on fire with curiosity and awe! Its a real blast so don't miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, for those who have heard that this movie is anti-christian, DON"T BELIEVE IT! The filmmakers took out 99.9% of the religious undertones and to be honest there weren't many to start with in the first book of the trilogy in the first place. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THAT THEY KILL GOD IN THIS SERIES DON"T BELIEVE IT! THIS IS UTTERLY FALSE!!!!!!!!!! Read the books for yourselves! I have read this trilogy several times and I can tell you that God is not murdered or any such thing and the Magisterium is based off the medieval catholic church NOT PRESENT DAY. Please view the movie for yourselves! Don't believe everything you hear about this movie! Enjoy!
1
I walked out! by bilow
I couldn't sit through this one. Nicole Kidman was the only sight for sore eyes and yet they didn't show enough of her. We left 20 minuted after her appearance. BORING! We went to see Fred Claus instead. Can't wait to see the next National Treasure movie. The first one was awesome!
1
Bleh by mgdaly
The two best actors in the film?Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig?are merely pretty faces to put on the poster. They were both underutilized to the dismay of this reviewer. The girl who plays Lyra was not charming as she is supposed to be but extremely irritating. The viewer is infantilized; so much of the dialogue was stating the obvious?nothing was left to the viewer to find out himself or herself. Truly a disappointment and not a worthy homage to such a fantastic and loved book. I wonder if Philip Pullman actually had any say in the movie making process.
3
Bookworm Movie? by eking
I probably had too high an expectation, but the only person entertained by the movie was my 30 year-old sister who read the book. Although she argued half of the movie, calling out inconsistencies with the book. Obviously I never read the book. Fortunately the theater was about empty, except for 1 family with 2 kids and a young couple using this movie as a "makeout film". Otherwise my sister and I would have been asked to leave. Anywho, if you're seriously into books, this might be one to watch, or else 'wait till it's free on cable'(as another reviewer said).
1
Nerd Movie... Nerd Alert! by elbarrio boy
I noticed that any good commenta are coming from geeks or wannabe geeks. So much info and detail about how "the movie wasn't like the book", or how the book was much better. How about, "Can't wait till the have the whole saga". Wow, I don't think I have the patience to watch a cheap version of Lord of the Rings. LOR was soooo long but at least it was understandable. If you're not a geek, watch something else.
2
Movie Length= Undue Hardship by jfeld
Movie outlasted its depth of entertainment. Obviously I could not be engaged. I read all this stuff by the book readers and I realize that in order to enjoy this movie I should have read the book first. Pleeeeeease... I refuse to read a book just to understand a movie. I enjoyed Narnia and Lord of the Rings without even looking at my watch once. This one was agonizing to me, a non-bookreader.
2
Very Disappointing by Lost Buckeroo
I really tried to like this movie. I struggled mightily to suspend my disbelief, to get into the fantasy. At the end however, it was tremendously disappointing. The effects were cool, but could not compensate for the bizarre fantasy elements. I'm told there is much backstory that did not come through to the screen. That's too bad, because the film is deeply flawed. Perhaps it will appeal to children, but be forewarned - the story is no Lord of the Rings saga. Even the Narnia nonsense was more enjoyable.
1
too long by rayrosel
the acting needs some work!!